There was ugly, and then there was this...

40

For the most part, F1 cars from the early seventies were simple, straightforward and often beautiful designs.

The Lotus 72, the Ferrari 312 B2 or the McLaren M19 come to mind as a few elegant examples of the neat machines which graced the grid back then.

The Brabham BT34 however was among the most hideous F1 cars of all time, at least in its low-downforce configuration, as seen here at Monza in 1971 with Graham Hill behind the wheel.

Designed by the great Ron Tauranac, who had taken over Brabham from its founder Jack Brabham at the end of 1970, the BT34 was appropriately named the 'lobster claw' car thanks to its nose which featured two separate radiators mounted on the corners with an adjustable aerofoil mounted in between.

Not the finest of Tauranac's creations unfortunately...

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.