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| www.QV500.com - De Tomaso 1.6-litre Formula Part 1: 103 |
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Several years after having last manufactured an open wheel racing car, De Tomaso decided to build an all-new Formula 2 contender. The initial idea was to construct at least two monocoque Tipo 103's but it seems the firms increasing pre-occupation with Formula 1 caused the F2 programme to quietly be dropped despite the solitary car having clearly demonstrated its potential by the end of its first seasons racing. In just four outings during 1969, chassis 103-001 had been in with a shout of podium finishes on three occasions, no small feat considering the calibre of cars and drivers in F2 at the time. That year, grids were filled with works machinery from Matra and Ferrari whilst slick British privateer outfits ran the latest cars from Lotus and Brabham. Established greats like Hill, Stewart and Rindt were all regulars on an F2 circuit that seems a world away from todays junior formulae. |
In preparation for 1969, De Tomaso bought a new Tecno 68 that he had Gianpaolo Dallara modify in order to contest the high profile Temporada Championship held in Argentina during December. This Tecno-De Tomaso as it became known featured widened track and a new high downforce nose fabricated by Carrozzeria Sport Cars of Modena. The Italian Autosprint magazine also claimed it was suitably lightened and produced more power than standard thanks to modified heads. However, the new aerodynamics did nothing to help the cars driveability and by the second of four races, Nello Ugolini had decided to revert the car back to its original configuration. Despite running fourth in the second race at Buenos Aires (before the engine blew), De Tomaso's underwhelming foray into Formula 2 provided a stark reality check about what was required to succeed. Consequently, the bona fide Tipo 103 was designed from scratch by Gianpaolo Dallara who had been lured to De Tomaso on the assurance he would get to create both road and racing cars for the firm. It featured an all-alloy monocoque reinforced with cast magnesium bulkheads, the suspension consisting of upper and lower wishbones with coil springs and telescopic Koni dampers. Twin fuel tanks were mounted either side of the cockpit and filled via a fuel cap mounted underneath a hatch positioned just in front of the wind deflector. Disc brakes were by Girling, bespoke wheels by Campagnolo and the tyres, Dunlop. |
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For the engine, De Tomaso decided to play safe by opting for a powerful and reliable off-the-shelf Cosworth FVA. The very first Cosworth-designed engine with a four valve head, the FVA had been introduced for 1967 with a pair of Weber carbs but by 1969, Lucas fuel injection was preferred. Displacement was 1594cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 85.6 x 69.1mm, compression being set at 12.0:1. By 1969, FVA's were producing anything up to 240bhp at 9500rpm and De Tomaso's choice no doubt had the beneficial side effect of further cementing his ties with Ford. |
Coupled to a Hewland FT200 five-speed gearbox, the engine and transmission would be supplied by Frank Williams Racing Cars in Slough, England. All told, the 103 weighed in at 520kg. The first and only monocoque was fabricated in March 1969 and shown to selected members of the international press during the course of that month. By May, the completed car bearing chassis number 103-001 was ready for testing and trucked to Modena's Autodrome with a host of experimental aero parts. |
 103 F2, Modena, early summer 1969 |
