Video: memories of the Lotus 49, and its mini-self

©Cahier

40

Fifty years ago, the Lotus 49 was set on its path to glory. The car was introduced at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix, along with Ford's equally illustrious Cosworth DFV.

Coupled with the great Jim Clark's genius, the combo won on its first outing, putting an historic stamp on Formula 1.

Ford celebrated the success by commissioning master modeller, precision engineer and artist Henri Baigent to build a series of scale models of the Lotus 49 destined to be gifted to drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill, to team members and to Colin Chapman.

The video below details Baigent's incredible work and craft as he spent over 2,800 hours building the scaled down versions of the 49, relying on prints and drawings supplied directly by Lotus and Cosworth.

The film also offers some beautiful footage of the glory days of Grand Prix racing.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.