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Chassis:
The second of three new Type 34s built, this chassis served as the spare for the 1964 Indy 500. It did appear in practice with both Jim Clark and Dan Gurney at the wheel but for the race, its services were not required. It made its competition debut at Milwaukee with Indy 500 winner AJ Foyt behind the wheel. There was some irony in the entry as it was Foyt that Ford would have liked to see race the spare Type 34 at the Indy 500. Unfortunately, his transmission failed on the opening lap. Chassis 34/2 was then raced by Parnelli Jones at Trenton where it fared much better and won the race.
For the 1965 season, Foyt was signed to drive the car full time. He had the car rebuilt by seasoned Indy mechanics Lujie Lesovsky and George Bignotti. Foyt won five races that year, three of which were in this chassis. At the Indy 500, he qualified 34/2 on pole, beating works driver Jim Clark and setting a new record lap time in the process. Foyt and Clark both lead the race several times in the opening stages but Foyt ultimately had to retire with a transmission failure on lap 115. Alongside his new Coyote and a Lotus Type 38, Foyt would race this Type 34 well into the 1966 season, finishing third at in Trenton in September, at what would be its final appearance.
Foyt would continue to own this Type 34 through to 1992. It was then acquired by the second custodian in Foyt's famous 'Garage Sale' auction. Some twenty-five years later and following a comprehensive restoration by specialist Walter Goodwin, it has now been consigned to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction in August of 2017. With four victories, it is the single most successful Indy car built and one of just two survivors with the other being part of the Indy 500 Museum collection.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1964 |
| First owner |
Team Lotus |
| Last known location |
American Private Collection |
| Appearances |
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| Most recent auction(s) |
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