So, my good friend Rodney Butterfield just fired over this article. It’s a great read, but I can’t help but wonder who these voters were. Yes, the Lotus 49 was a proper winner, but can it really stack up against the true titans of automotive history?
I mean, let’s dive into a few:
Lotus 49
Year Raced: 1967-1970
Race Event: Formula 1
Total Wins: 12 championship race wins
Championships Won: Formula 1 World Championship (1968, 1970)
The Lotus 49 is celebrated for its innovative design, particularly its integration of the Cosworth DFV engine as a structural component of the chassis. This breakthrough led to improved handling and performance, helping drivers like Jim Clark and Graham Hill achieve significant success. The Lotus 49’s engineering excellence set new standards in Formula 1 design and paved the way for future technological advancements in the sport.
Porsche 956 / 962: Dominance in Endurance Racing
Year Raced: 1982-1994
Race Event: Various, including 24 Hours of Le Mans, World Sportscar Championship
Total Wins: 132 major race wins
Championships Won: Multiple World Sportscar Championships
The Porsche 956 and its successor, the 962, are among the most successful endurance race cars in history. Their dominance in the 1980s and early 1990s, including numerous wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, established Porsche’s reputation in endurance racing. The cars’ advanced aerodynamics, reliability, and the powerful twin-turbocharged flat-six engine contributed to their outstanding success.
Ferrari 250 GTO: The Iconic Racer
Year Raced: 1962-1964
Race Event: Various, including 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tour de France Automobile
Total Wins: 15 major race wins
Championships Won: FIA World Manufacturers’ Championship for GT cars (1962, 1963, 1964)
The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most iconic and successful race cars in history. Known for its stunning design and exceptional performance, the 250 GTO dominated GT racing in the early 1960s. Its blend of power, balance, and reliability made it a formidable competitor, leading to numerous victories and solidifying Ferrari’s legacy in motorsport.
Porsche 917: Revolutionizing Endurance Racing
Year Raced: 1969-1971
Race Event: Various, including 24 Hours of Le Mans, World Sportscar Championship
Total Wins: 16 major race wins
Championships Won: World Sportscar Championship (1969, 1970, 1971)
The Porsche 917 revolutionized endurance racing with its advanced engineering and sheer speed. Its victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971 are particularly notable, showcasing its dominance in one of the world’s most challenging races. The 917’s success helped establish Porsche as a powerhouse in motorsport.
McLaren MP4/4: Formula 1’s Unbeatable
Year Raced: 1988
Race Event: Formula 1
Total Wins: 15 out of 16 races
Championships Won: Formula 1 World Championship (1988)
The McLaren MP4/4 is one of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history, winning 15 of the 16 races in the 1988 season. Driven by legends Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, the MP4/4’s superior aerodynamics and powerful Honda engine made it virtually unbeatable. Its near-perfect season remains one of the greatest achievements in motorsport.
Ford GT40: American Pride
Year Raced: 1964-1969
Race Event: 24 Hours of Le Mans, World Sportscar Championship
Total Wins: 13 major race wins
Championships Won: World Sportscar Championship (1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
The Ford GT40 was built to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, and it succeeded spectacularly. Its four consecutive wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969 demonstrated its speed, endurance, and reliability. The GT40’s success marked a turning point in American motorsport history and cemented Ford’s reputation in international racing.
Mercedes-Benz W196: Mid-50s Dominator
Year Raced: 1954-1955
Race Event: Formula 1
Total Wins: 9 Grand Prix wins
Championships Won: Formula 1 World Championship (1954, 1955)
The Mercedes-Benz W196 introduced several technological advancements to Formula 1, including fuel injection and advanced aerodynamics. Driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, the W196 dominated the mid-1950s, winning two World Championships. Its innovative design and engineering excellence set new benchmarks in the sport.
Audi Quattro: The Rally Pioneer
Year Raced: 1980-1987
Race Event: World Rally Championship
Total Wins: 23 World Rally Championship wins
Championships Won: World Rally Championship (1982, 1984)
The Audi Quattro revolutionized rally racing with its introduction of all-wheel drive. This innovation provided superior traction and handling, allowing the Quattro to dominate the World Rally Championship in the early 1980s. Its success paved the way for the widespread adoption of all-wheel drive in motorsport.
Jaguar D-Type: Le Mans Legend
Year Raced: 1954-1957
Race Event: 24 Hours of Le Mans, various sports car races
Total Wins: 5 major race wins
Championships Won: 24 Hours of Le Mans (1955, 1956, 1957)
The Jaguar D-Type’s aerodynamic design and advanced engineering made it a formidable competitor in endurance racing. Its three consecutive wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans highlighted its speed, durability, and innovative design. The D-Type remains a celebrated icon in Jaguar’s racing history.
Lancia Stratos: The Rally King
Year Raced: 1973-1978
Race Event: World Rally Championship
Total Wins: 18 World Rally Championship wins
Championships Won: World Rally Championship (1974, 1975, 1976)
The Lancia Stratos was the first car designed specifically for rally racing, and its impact was immediate and profound. With its distinctive wedge shape and powerful Ferrari V6 engine, the Stratos dominated
the World Rally Championship in the mid-1970s, winning three consecutive titles. Its innovative design set new standards in rally car engineering.
Comparing Win Percentages: The Real Measure of Greatness?
When comparing the success of these iconic cars, win percentage provides a compelling metric:
- McLaren MP4/4: ~93.8%
- Porsche 917: ~76.2%
- Mercedes-Benz W196: ~75.0%
- Ferrari 250 GTO: ~55.6%
- Lancia Stratos: ~45.0%
- Ford GT40: ~38.2%
- Porsche 956/962: ~35.7%
- Audi Quattro: ~33.8%
- Jaguar D-Type: ~33.3%
- Lotus 49: ~28.6%
So, when you crunch the numbers, there’s an undeniable champion, isn’t there? The McLaren MP4/4, closely followed by the W196 Merc. And then, somewhere trailing behind, you have the Lotus with its rather modest 28% win record.
But as that guy on TV loves to say, “But wait, there’s more!”
Back in 1924. There was a car that some French guy built that was an absolute beast, it entered over 1,000 races and quite literally won every single one of them. that’s right – a 100% win rate. That car is the Bugatti 35. From 1924 to 1931, it annihilated everything it came across.
Bugatti Type 35
Year Raced: 1924-1931
Race Event: Various, including Targa Florio, Grand Prix races
Total Wins: Over 1,000 race wins
Championships Won: Targa Florio (1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929), multiple Grand Prix victories
So, while the Lotus 49 might hold an important place in motorsports history does it really stack up as “Race Car Of The Century?
What do you think?
