Beschreibung:

This Emeryson-Climax is recently restored and race-prepared and is configured in 1½-litre Formula 1 configuration as raced in 1961. This Emeryson design began life in 1960, the year before what had been the Formula 2 category from 1957-1960 was effectively upgraded to Formula 1 status when the contemporary 2 ½-litre Grand Prix racing regulations were superseded in 1961. The Formula 2 Emeryson-Climax, powered by the ubiquitous Coventry Climax FPF 4-cylinder twin-overhead camshaft engine, began its competition career driven by former Le Mans 24-Hour race winner and experienced Formula 1 BRM driver Ron Flockhart in the August Bank Holiday meeting at Brands Hatch. John Turner then drove it at Montlhéry in the October Coupes du Salon meeting. The experienced Belgian management of the Equipe National Belge was spectating and were impressed when John Turner tore back into the field after an early spin. They approached Paul Emery about the possibility of having cars built for their use in 1961. The Emeryson-Climax was just one amongst many former Formula 2 cars then redeployed to contest Formula 1 events through the 1961-62 seasons. This car is believed to be that which was driven by Bruce Halford into 9th place in the Glover Trophy race at Goodwood on Easter Monday ’61. Three such Emeryson cars had been ordered for the Equipe National Belge, to be powered by Maserati 150S four-cylinder engines. The cars emerged for the new season with sharp new restyled bodywork and as part of the Equipe National Belge were liveried in Belgian racing yellow. One was driven in the Brussels Grand Prix at Heysel by off-duty Ferrari star Willy Mairesse, finishing 10th. André Pilette then bought the prototype which he drove in the Naples GP at Posillipo and, having replaced the Maserati engine with a British Climax unit, he reappeared in the car in both the World Championship-qualifying Italian Grand Prix meeting at Monza and in the non-Championship Austrian GP at Zeltweg aerodrome. The full story of Emeryson racing cars spans no fewer than four decades postwar, their premier-Formula involvement involving three of them, the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. George Emery and his son Paul – hence ‘Emeryson’ – produced their first Grand Prix-class special as early as 1947. By the time this model was constructed in 1960, Paul Emery was backed by former Cooper-Bristol and Vanwall driver Alan Brown in Emeryson Cars Ltd, based in the former Connaught factory at Send beside the main A3 road between Guildford and Ripley in Surrey. He designed cars for Formula Junior, Formula 2 and 1961 Formula 1 use, sub-contracting chassis manufacture to Lister of Cambridge (of Lister-Jaguar fame). The Formula 1 Emeryson was track-tested by Jack Fairman for the monthly ‘Motor Racing’ magazine issue of September 1961 when he reported ‘The car had no handling vices…There was almost time to say “Ah yes, this is oversteer, so turn the wheel the other way, Jack,” the whole thing seemed so gradual…’ During this track test he lapped Goodwood in 1 minute 32.8 seconds “which although no record-breaker is a racing-speed lap” and he concluded ‘The Emeryson made me “at home” from the start, and I hope we shall see more of it in the future…’ In this instance we are advised that this car’s interim owners have included F. Reynolds, Ed Glaister and Richard Brown before the car was acquired by specialist Cyril Linstone c. 1991. The chassis had been extensively modified and was heavily corroded, but parts included two original fuel tanks, sections of nose and tail bodywork, wheels, uprights, wishbones, steering rack and column, drive-shafts and gearbox case. One of Emeryson’s original body specialists – working with renowned specialist Mo Gomm – repaired the fuel tanks, foam-filled and re-sealed them. Marque historian Duncan Rabagliati approves the car, and it is offered here with full FIA Historic vehicle documentation. The present vendors have restored the car using as many original parts as possible upon