Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wouter Melissen, Wikimedia Commons
No. 40 through No. 36
40. Arrows A19
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The distinctive looking A19 had promising potential, as it had been designed by renowned car designer John Barnard, of McLaren/Ferrari fame.
However, its unique all black livery, and elegantly designed chassis weren’t enough to make the A19 a perfect race car.
The Arrows engine wasn’t nearly as powerful as those who had deeper pockets, and because of this, their 1998 contender hardly competed on a level playing field to that of its rivals.
39. Porsche 804
Photo Credit: Courtesy of John Chapman, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche’s only constructor built Formula 1 car is the 1962 entrant, the 804. As the 804 was Porsche’s first and last entry, you would be forgiven to think that things didn’t go so well.
On the contrary, the 804 managed eight top ten finishes, which included a first and third place. This would allow Porsche to claim fifth overall in the championship standings, which is not at all bad for a first attempt.
However, this little ‘pocket rocket’ race car’s time in the sun was cut short when Porsche decided that the costs of running a Formula 1 team were just too high, and that single-seat racing had no room in its business model.
38. BRM Type 15
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wouter Melissen, Wikimedia Commons
The first Formula 1 car to be produced by British Racing Motors was the notorious Type 15.
In a rush of patriotism following the second world war, a number of British companies (such as Rolls Royce) poured a wealth of money and labour into BRM’s pipe-dream, that of building Britain’s first successful Grand Prix car.
The dream was to one day rival the dominant German and Italian marques, the reality however, was the Type 15.
Before the Type 15 had even raced, it had been declared that, “In the BRM Britain has found a winner!” Yet the car was a flop, competing in only two Formula 1 championship Grands Prix and being declared by Stirling Moss as “without doubt the worst car I ever raced – it was a disgrace.”
Beyond looks, it can be safely said that the Type 15 failed in its endeavour to spread the notion of British prestige.
37. BRM P57
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
By 1962, the Type 15 was just a bad memory to BRM, as its competitor for this year was the dominant P57.
The P57 was not only better looking, but in terms of mechanical reliability, it was also worlds apart from its distant predecessor.
The car won four of the nine races of 1962, giving Graham Hill his first driver’s championship, whilst BRM would go on to claim their first and only constructor championship.
36. Lola Mk4
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Whilst Graham Hill was busy winning races in his P57, its peer of 1962, the Lola Mk4, had other plans.
The car’s livery was perfectly subtle, a slender red nose complimenting a dark green bodywork. Unfortunately for Lola, the car itself was just as inconspicuous when it came to race day.
The two Mk4s which had been entered for that season retired from more races than they finished.
However, one of its drivers was none other than four time 500cc motorcycle world champion, John Surtees. After making a switch to Formula 1 two years earlier, his two second place finishers of 1962 in the ailing Mk4, revealed just how much potential he had on four wheels.