Top 5: Grand Prix greats not to miss at Revival

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Ethan Jupp
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Event Coverage

Goodwood Revival
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An exemplary spread of Grand Prix machinery is always expected at the Goodwood Revival. Picking five not to miss is no easy task, but we think these are worth a look, and not all are winners...

Lotus 49

The Lotus 49 hit the ground running in the second year of the post-’65 3-litre era, with exclusive licence to develop around and utilise the new Cosworth DFV V8 engine. It introduced the concept of using the engine as a stressed component of the chassis to Formula 1, which competitors such as McLaren would adopt (along with the DFV itself) shortly following the 49’s instant success. Pushing 400 horsepower, the Cosworth V8 with its sprouting intake trumpets screams as hard as it goes, spearheading a return to power for Formula 1. We can’t wait to see it stretching its legs alongside its early 3-litre era kin.

Image courtesy of LAT

McLaren M7A

The M7A is a Formula 1 machine birthed by McLaren under seminal Cosworth DFV power. It took McLaren’s first ever Formula 1 win at the 1968 Grand Prix. Make no mistake, this crudely be-winged yet elegant animal was the first seed of success in McLaren’s illustrious career. That new 3-litre V8 was a revelation at the time of its inception, bringing instant success to the aforementioned Lotuses to which it was first fitted. When the engine became available to all teams, McLaren were quick to snap some up and put them to work. What a celebration of the DFV!

Ferrari 125/166

The 125 is a very special and significant machine in the chronology of Ferrari. This, for all of Ferrari’s long and illustrious history in what many would argue is the most prestigious class in motorsport, is its first official grand prix car. On its debut at the Valentino Grand Prix in September 1948, three cars were entered with one bringing home a third place finish. A podium on day one, and a victory come its outing at Garda Circuit a month later – first steps in what would become one of the most successful manufacturer careers in Formula 1. See it deploy its sonorous 1.5-litre supercharged V12 once again during the Goodwood Trophy at this year’s Revival.

Maserati V8RI

The 1930s were a fruitful developmental period for Grand Prix racing. The Maserati V8RI was the Modena company’s attempt at a response to the dominant Silver Arrows. In spite of brandishing a heady 350bhp courtesy of its 4.8-litre supercharged V8, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its pursuit of the immutably effective ‘Arrows. It is however, a unique, iconic and ferocious machine that suffered from arriving at the party late. It represents a pioneering early chapter in Maserati’s to-be storied history, and the roar of that V8 should not be missed on its voyage out in the Goodwood Trophy at this year’s Revival.

Aston Martin DBR4

Aston Martin: A name not often associated with Formula 1. It had its forays, and the DBR4 is without doubt as elegant and beautiful as any to wear the Aston wings. In spite of its first outing being in 1959 at the Dutch Grand Prix, the DBR4 was a machine long in the pipeline. Aston’s success in sportscar racing in the early ‘50s spurned them to push for glory elsewhere. How they went about it ultimately handicapped them. The DBR4, being a development of the DB3S, was in testing for the best part of two years before being deployed. Ultimately, come its debut, it was outgunned and outclassed. Nevertheless its 2.5-litre inline six emits a glorious twin-cam concerto and what’s not to love about that!? Don’t miss it on song in the Richmond Trophy at this year’s Revival.