Bonhams to Offer Rare Lotus 49B Formula 1 Car at Festival of Speed Auction
The Facts
Bonhams will auction a rare Lotus 49B Formula 1 car, chassis number '49-R8', at its Festival of Speed sale on June 27. The car is the last Lotus to be sold from the collection of the late John Dawson-Damer and has never before been offered at auction. Built in October 1968, it is one of only 12 Lotus 49s produced and was driven by World Champions Graham Hill and Richard Attwood, including a fastest lap at the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix. The Lotus 49, designed by Colin Chapman, debuted the Cosworth-Ford DFV V8 engine and won its first race, the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix, with Jim Clark.
The Signal
The offering of this historically significant Lotus 49B from the Dawson-Damer Collection underscores the enduring market for iconic Formula 1 cars with strong provenance and racing pedigree. For collectors, the car's direct link to Graham Hill and its role in the development of the Cosworth-Ford DFV engine—which won a record 155 Grands Prix—adds substantial value. The sale at Bonhams' Festival of Speed event, a key date in the automotive calendar, positions this as a highlight for serious motorsport collectors seeking rare, race-ready examples from the golden era of Formula 1.
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- People: Colin Chapman, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Richard Attwood, John Dawson-Damer, Dave Charlton, Joakim Bonnier, Maurice Phillippe
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: London, Sydney, Norfolk
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