1972 Surtees TS11 Formula 5000

Lot details
Registration No: UN-REG
Chassis No: 04
Mot Expiry: N/A

In its day, this was the Formula 5000 to have. Even though he had never driven it, first owner Sam Posey put this Surtees TS11 04 on pole at Laguna Seca in 1972. Even more remarkable, especially with a Chevrolet V8 reckoned to be some ten per cent down on power compared to the competition, Posey was fastest in practice for six of the remaining eight races that season. Indeed, Posey and Surtees started every race from the front row, only losing the championship by one point.
In some ways, Posey's effort in the Tasman races of 1972/3 was even more remarkable. For neither he nor his team had ever been to New Zealand or Australia before and, with no opportunity to test, had to prep the car for a different circuit every weekend. Despite this, again he finished second in the series behind four-times winner Graham McRae.
Despite the amount of grunt available from its race-tweaked Chevy V8, this car is reportedly communicative, responsive and, with five-speed transmission, relatively easy to drive. The current owner, who describes himself as a large and old Formula Ford competitor, managed to qualify this car seventh first time out in the Derek Bell Trophy after only twenty minutes of familiarisation with wet conditions.
In 2002, brand new suspension components including rear uprights were fitted. In 2004, valve springs and rockers were renewed. For 2005, the car, presented in metallic dark blue and white with set of wheels and fairly comprehensive history file including FIA IF, is claimed to be freshly `spannered' and race-ready.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle can be viewed on the Historic Sports Car Club stand in the main exhibition hall of the show and not in the auction halls.
The car also comes with a set of wet weather tyres and a spare nose. A specially modified trailer is also available via separate negotiaton with the vendor.