Before We Lose Track

When Graham Hill decided to form his own team in 1973 with himself as driver and headcook and bottle-washer he was heavily sponsored by Embassy Cigarettes. He bought one of the first of the new Shadow cars and it was actually assembled away from the Northampton factory of Shadow Cars, they merely supplying all the bits and pieces. This was Shadow DN1/3A which Hill raced throughout 1973, rebuilding it and up-rating it during the season. For the 1974 season his Embassy-backed team enlarged to a two-car effort and a contract was made with Eric Broadley to supply Lola cars to Formula One specification from what was basically the current Formula 5000 model. This arrangement continued throughout 1974 and for 1975 Graham Hill has branched away into the manufacture of his own cars, designed by Andrew Smallman. The change from Lola cars to Hill cars was effected smoothly and amicably, with a lot of assistance from Broadley, but now the Hill team are constructors in their own right. Needless to say throughout this era of special-building the power unit has been the Cosworth DFV and the transmission the ubiquitous Hewland 5-speed with mountings for inboard rear brakes.

Shadow DN1/3A—New Spanish GP 1973 for G. Hill. Built outside Shadow factory from parts supplied. Used throughout 1973 and then turned into a Show Car with mock-up engine. Retained by Graham Hill.

Lola T370/Prototype—Crashed by Hill while on test at Silverstone. Dismantled and broken up.

Lola T370/HU1—New for Argentina GP 1974. Driven by Hill during season. Dismantled and parts used for a project using a flat-12 Alfa Romeo engine. Project was still-born. Parts remain with the team.

Lola T370/HU2—New for Argentina 1974. Driven by Guy Edwards. Team car throughout 1974. Used in 1975 as team car in early part of season. Crashed in practice for South African GP by Hill. Broken up.

Lola T370/HU3—New for International Trophy Silverstone 1974. Used as team car throughout season. Spare car for team in first half of 1975.

Hill GH1/1 (Lola T371/HU1)—First appeared South African GP 1975 for Rolf Stommelen to drive. Was built in co-operation with Lola factory at time of break with the Huntingdon firm to become self-supporting. Appeared first of all as a Lola T371, but then re-christened Hill GH1/1. Team car for this season.

Hill GH1/2—Appeared but did not race at International Trophy Silverstone. First race Spanish GP 1975. Destroyed in Rolf Stommelen’s crash while leading race.

Hill GH1/3—New for Belgian GP at Zolder 1975. Driven by Francois Migault. Team car for this season.

Hill GH1/4—New car for team to replace GH1/1, which becomes spare car and Lola T370/HU3 is pensioned off.