Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. The most important Grand Prix car of its era and one of the most significant F1 cars ever, Colin Chapman’s Lotus 49 harnessed a ground-breaking design with the new Cosworth DFV. Driven by such legends as Clark, Hill, Andretti, Siffert and Rindt over four extraordinary seasons, it remains for many people one of the most beautiful Grand Prix cars ever.
Somebody obviously felt that way, as S2 Engineering were commissioned to build a special car that invokes the spirit and the look of the Lotus 49, but with two seats and road manners - we are delighted to offer the result of this project here.
This six-year project started with an original Lotus 49 nose cone purchased from Classic Team Lotus to set the profile and shape of the car. A custom steel spaceframe was fabricated and reinforced with aluminium sheeting and then mated to a bespoke steering rack and purpose built suspension incorporating 49-style front rockers. The 1, 137cc, 160bhp Honda Blackbird engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with an electric reverse gear and Honda’s legendary 'superbike' also provided a wiring loom, ECU and instrument cluster. The differential, driveshafts, hubs, brakes and steering column all come from a Mazda MX5 to provide a reliable and lightweight solution.
We understand that the car is fully road legal, DVLA-registered on a Q-Plate, with the current MOT valid until July 2025.
