Re: Original Driver of GT40s 1017 & 1037
Hi Hersh,
Here's some more pics. Eppie was at the top of his game then as a sports car driver. He was invited to drive a Lotus 49 in the 1967 Canadian Grand Prix. The car he drove in the rain soaked race was the one Jimmy Clark had crashed in practice. The mechanics worked all nite to get it ready. Apparently the alignment couldn't be completely restored.
Eppie had never driven a single seat race car, let alone an F1 in his nearly ten years of racing experience leading up to that event. The deal was: "here's the car, go have some fun but don't bend it". Funny since it came prebent!
So with one practice session total seat time, Eppie was a Formula 1 driver. The race was challenging for all and Eppie brought the car back in one piece in tenth position, well done.
Eppie also gave me a picture of what happens to a GT40 after low altitude flying. He had a coming together with a Group 7 car at Westwood, got launched and viola!
The Comstock prepared GT40s were distinct in the radiator intake being slightly drooped to bring in more air, looks good too...