Surtees
Although
Team Surtees is better known for its Formula 1 cars, it started life with
a Formula 5000 design and quickly found itself in race car production. The
sophisticated and successful Len Terry TS5 was slightly, almost imperceptibly,
upgraded in 1970 as the TS5A and then followed by the Formula 1 TS7 design
that summer. The Formula 5000 design was a great success, though Team Surtees
may have made a mistake by not taking a more significant step forward with
their 1970 car. For 1971, a F5000 adaptation of the neat little TS7 was
sold as the TS8. Sales declined noticably but the old TS5s and TS5As still
made Surtees one of the most numerous on US grids.
In 1972, Team Surtees again built a F5000 car based on the previous season's F1 car, this being the TS11 based on the side-radiator TS9B. Although successful on the track, the TS11 attacted few buyers and Surtees' attention turned to his highly successful F2 TS10 and the later TS15s.
Rumours swirled of a TS17 F5000 car for 1974 but it was never seen and almost certainly never built.
All and any help would be gratefully received. Please e-mail Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com if you can add anything.
| Type | Years | Number built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surtees TS5/TS5A | 1969 - 1970 | 16 (probably) | Based on the Leda F5000 project. Monocoque chassis. Wheelbase 96 inches; front track 57 7/8 inches; rear track 60 1/8 inches; overall length 157 inches; dry weight 1350lbs. FULL CAR-BY-CAR LIST AVAILABLE |
| Surtees TS8 | 1971 | 7 (possibly one more) | An adaptation of the 1970 F1 TS7 design for FA/F5000. FULL CAR-BY-CAR LIST AVAILABLE |
| Surtees TS11 | 1972 | 4 (possibly one more) | Based on the F1 TS9. FULL CAR-BY-CAR LIST AVAILABLE |
| Surtees TS17 | 1974? | 0 | An intended conversion of a F2 TS15 for F5000 with a 3.4-litre Cosworth Ford GA V6. Not built. |
Sources include A-Z of Formula Racing Cars (David Hodges)
Total number built: approximately 27
