F1 Beauty: Then or Now?

[lkjohnson1950]

I realize today's F1 car are far faster and higher tech, with practically every molecule of air individually directed, but I still prefer the look of long ago.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic/118/Eagle-Mark-1-Weslake_7.html

How about you?

[cosworth151]

Beautiful, Lonny. I always liked the distinctive "beak" on the Gurney Eagle F1 & Indy cars. The Porsche 804 between them is the same type that Gurney used to give Porsche it's sole F1 victory, at Rouen in 1964.

[lkjohnson1950]

Fairly sure this was taken at Laguna Seca when the Monterey Historics honored Gurney. The red 96 is the Lotus 23 he won the first Daytona Continental in.

[cosworth151]

Since Gurney won Daytona on the Lotus's starter motor, could it be considered the 1st major race victory by a hybrid? 

[Jericoke]

Back then creating a car was all about making something that looked great.

It's too bad they can't do that and create the ultimate racing machine, but once you unlock the secrets of aerodynamics, you can't go back.

[Willy]

 

I so agree!
I love the 60's Formula cars design. They were moving art.
I have some fabulous old pictures on my wall of 60's champions in their cars racing and getting air. Not a chance that would happen now with the down-force etc.
I loved the drifting they used to do through corners and throwing on opposite lock to straighten out.

[Scott]

I love them too.  I remember the Lotus my Dad brought back years ago from a trip to England - I think it was a '67, with working suspension and steering.  I wish I knew what happened to that car - think maybe my sister sold it at a garage sale when I was in college.

But more importantly I like those old cars because they were about 100% mechanical grip.  Put some safety features on them to protect the driver, make 'em out of carbon fibre, and bring them back! 

The exhausts were things of beauty too.

[John S]

But more importantly I like those old cars because they were about 100% mechanical grip.  Put some safety features on them to protect the driver, make 'em out of carbon fibre, and bring them back!

They're already here Scott, it's called British Formula 3.   

Yeah I'm kinda fond of the 60s cars too, maybe it's just an age thing though? My son prefers the late 80's early 90's cars?   

On the subject of childhood F1 models I had both the 'sharknose' Ferrari 156 and a Vanwall VW5, both with removable tyres so I could swap them from black to white - or bigger/smaller.    Oh the joys of Dinky toy cars.