Thousands of votes have been cast by Motor Sport readers in our 100th anniversary poll, with the Lotus 49 emerging as the Race Car of the Century

From the archive

The greatest racing cars of the past century — on track together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48CjqRU8Zdo What is the greatest racing car of the past 100 years? It’s a question as easy to ask as its answer is hard to find. But in this, our…

The car was developed in conjunction with F1’s most successful engine, the Cosworth DFV, the affordable yet competitive 3-litre V8 which became ubiquitous amongst privateer teams in the late ’60s and ’70s.

“It is just fantastic, from everyone at Classic Team Lotus who put so much effort into this car over the years,” said Clive upon receiving the award.

“Four of the greatest minds in F1 engineering – Maurice Phillipe, my father, Keith Duckworth, Mike Costin – those four extremely clever people worked together and created the Lotus 49.

“It was raced by five world champions, there’s not many cars that can claim that, and at the end of the day the reason it was successful was because it was looked after by the best F1 mechanics: Team Lotus mechanics, and Bob Dance [lead Lotus mechanic, present at the Motor Sport event that makes you the best of the best!”

Dance said he was lost for words at the award, and Damon added that the car was the embodiment of Graham and Colin’s brilliance – as well as being inextricably linked with the world’s oldest racing magazine.

“My dad would be 95 if he was alive today – not quite as old as the magazine – but he would be tickled pink to think, and it would be the same with Colin, that their togetherness would produce a car that has been recognised in this way. So thank you very much to everyone who voted.

“The line-up of cars that the readers were voting for was pretty spectacular, and for the 49 to come out on top… Adrian Newey didn’t design this one, but he has got one, which goes into the argument for just how great it is,” added Clive.