The Lotus Type 49 was built and first unveiled at the car manufacturer’s Hethel test track in 1967, shortly after Lotus moved to the Norfolk site.

It went on to win on debut at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix after qualifying with lap times four seconds faster than the previous year - a feat which hasn't been replicated in the sport since.

Now, almost 60 years later, Classic Team Lotus has rebuilt the first-ever Type 49, unveiling it at Hethel before taking it for a spin on the track.

Classic Team Lotus with the rebuilt Lotus Type 49 at Hethel (Image: Denise Bradley)

Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, driving the Type 49 on the Hethel test track in 1967 (Image: Lotus)

The car was designed by a team of Lotus Cars co-founder Colin Chapman, Mike Costin, Keith Duckworth, Maurice Philippe, Richard (Dick) Scammell, and the legendary Lotus F1 drivers Graham Hill and Jim Clark.

It has now been rebuilt for the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, commissioned by the museum's late founder, George Barber, who passed away earlier this year.

Engineer Mike Costin, now 95, the co-founder of Cosworth, the company that designed and developed the Cosworth DFV F1 engine, and chief mechanic Dick Scammell both attended the unveiling event at Hethel on Tuesday morning.

Mike Costin and Dick Scammell unveiling the rebuilt Lotus Type 49 at Hethel (Image: Denise Bradley)

From left: Maurice Phillipe, Lotus Type 49 designer; Keith Duckworth, designer of the Cosworth DFV engine; Graham Hill, Lotus F1 driver; Mike Costin, engineer and co-founder of Cosworth; and Colin Chapman, Lotus co-founder (Image: Lotus)

Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and the son of Colin, said it was a “special occasion” for everyone involved.

“The recreation of this great car has been an extraordinary project for us all,” he said.

“Thousands of hours have gone into recreating 49/R1 correct in every detail, from the engine, to the gearbox, to the monocoque, and the hundreds of bespoke parts made by hand with reference to the period design drawings held in the Classic Team Lotus archive.

“Of course, the engine is the Ford Cosworth DFV. Fifty nine years ago at Hethel the DFV engine ran for the first time in 49/R1 and changed F1 forever.”

Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and the son of Lotus founder Colin, in the driver's seat of the rebuilt Type 49 (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Type 49 won multiple Grand Prix victories across the 1967 and 1968 seasons, winning the 1968 Drivers’ World Championship with Graham Hill and earning Lotus the Constructors’ title.

It went on to claim both titles again in 1970 with driver Jochen Rindt.

The Type 49 competed in four F1 seasons, winning the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix three times.

Drivers Jim Clark, John Miles, Jo Siffert, Jackie Oliver, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti also took turns behind the wheel.

Lotus Formula 1 driver Graham Hill in the first Lotus Type 49 at Hethel in 1967 (Image: Lotus)

Before his death, Mr Barber, the commissioner of the recreation, said: “This project embodies everything we stand for at the Barber Museum - preserving the spirit, ingenuity, and innovation of motorsports history.

“The Lotus 49/R1 was a game-changer. Bringing it back to life is both a tribute to Colin Chapman’s genius and a gift to future generations of enthusiasts.”

Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, driving the first Type 49 at Hethel in 1967 (Image: Lotus)

Mr Chapman said Classic Team Lotus made a “huge effort” to have 49/R1 finished by Christmas so Mr Barber could see the car.

“Happily George saw his creation down on the ground, engine running,” he said.

“We were not aware George was so unwell. I enjoyed a lovely conversation with him in January. He was so excited to hear about the completion of his project. He was very generous in his appreciation of the effort we had made.

“We first ran this car the day after George died. It was a poignant occasion, but in keeping with what we were sure he would have wanted. The car ran well, which was the perfect tribute to George and everyone here today who has played a part in the project.

“Classic Team Lotus is looking forward to working together with George’s team to maintain and build upon his legacy.”

In 2024, the Type 49 was awarded Race Car of the Century by Motor Sport Magazine.

© Norwich Evening News