1973 Van Diemen FA73 Formula Ford
The Van Diemen FA73 chassis number 3 is believed to be the earliest surviving example from the Norfolk constructor that transformed Formula Ford racing after splitting from Lotus in 1972. The FA73 design, derived from the Lotus 69, scored immediate success including the 1973 Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival and multiple championship wins. This particular chassis was raced in Canada over many years before passing to the Potekhen family, with Mike Potekhen using it early in a career that reached Indy Lights. Subsequently restored with involvement from Van Diemen founder Ralph Firman, the car is listed in the Van Diemen Registry as the marque's earliest known survivor.
Ownership
- 2024-02-23Auction saleSold £12,173.9 (≈ $15K)
- 2024-02-23Auction saleSold £12,173.9 (≈ $15K)
- 2024-02-24Auction saleSold £12,173.9 (≈ $15K)
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCanadian racing operator(s)partial documentation
The chassis competed in Canada over an extended period before changing hands; no specific individual owner or precise dates are given.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPotekhen familypartial documentation
The car came into this family's possession through a collaboration with the vendor; Mike Potekhen used it to begin his racing career in 1997 before progressing to Indy Lights.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
The vendor acquired the car via a collaboration with the Potekhen family and subsequently commissioned a full restoration with input from Ralph Firman.
Competition
- 1973Formula Ford Festival1973 Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival1st overall
This was the FA73 model's first competitive outing; the win launched a run of 21 Festival victories for Van Diemen over subsequent decades.
- 1973BRDC Formula Ford 1600 Championship1973 BRDC Formula Ford 1600 ChampionshipDriver: Derek LawrenceChampion
Lawrence secured the championship title in an FA73 during the model's debut season.
- 1973BRSCC Formula Ford Championship1973 BRSCC Formula Ford ChampionshipDriver: Donald MacLeodChampion
MacLeod took the BRSCC title in an FA73, giving the model a clean sweep of major UK FF titles in its first year.
- 1997Formula FordFormula Ford racing season 1997Driver: Mike Potekhen
Mike Potekhen used this chassis to begin his competitive career, subsequently advancing to Indy Lights in the early 2000s.
- —Formula FordCanadian Formula Ford racing
Chassis 3 participated in racing in Canada over an unspecified number of seasons before the Potekhen family acquired it.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration to original specification overseen with direct involvement from Van Diemen founder Ralph Firman, who verified historical accuracy and authorised a replacement chassis plate. The car is recorded in the Van Diemen Registry as the oldest known surviving example.
Firman's participation was specifically to ensure correctness against the original factory build.
- —BodyworkUniversal Racing
Certain fibreglass body panels were replaced with new items sourced directly from Universal Racing in Norfolk, who retain the original production tooling.
- —Mechanical
The chassis frame was stripped and repainted, a new floor section was fitted, and a Concept Racing fuel cell with appropriate dating and certification was installed. New FIA-specification fire suppression equipment, fresh seatbelts, and a Stack rev counter were also added.
- —MechanicalDoug Taylor Metal Finishing
Suspension components were nickel-plated by Doug Taylor Metal Finishing.
- —Engine rebuild
The engine received refreshed internal components including new bearings and piston rings. The Hewland Mark 9 gearbox was drained, inspected, and returned to service; a set of alternative gear ratios is included.
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