HILL GH1 Ford-Cosworth DFV

   In 1973, former World Champion Graham Hill, backed financially by Embassy, decided to found his own team, Embassy Hill, while still actively competing. In its debut World Championship season, the team ran a Shadow DN1, before switching to a Lola T370 in 1974—an adapted Formula 5000 car modified to comply with Formula 1 regulations. However, the real breakthrough came in 1975, when Lola designer Andy Smallman was hired by Hill’s team to build a brand-new car.

HILL GH1, Graham Hill
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1975

   Despite efforts to develop an original design, the Hill GH1 closely resembled the Lola T370, from which it was derived. The suspension, braking system, Ford-Cosworth V8 engine, and Hewland FGA400 gearbox remained unchanged. The new chassis, however, was a monocoque aluminum structure manufactured by TC Prototypes to Smallman’s specifications. Aesthetically, the GH1 retained the same appearance as the T370, with the only major difference being the longer, slanted sidepods, partially inspired by Brabham’s design.

HILL GH1, Tony Brise
Monza, Italian GP 1975

   For the early races of 1975, the team still used the old T370, driven by Graham Hill and Rolf Stommelen. The new GH1 debuted at the Spanish Grand Prix, with François Migault replacing Hill, while Stommelen’s GH1 was involved in a horrific accident—the car crashed into the crowd, tragically killing five spectators. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Hill failed to qualify and decided to retire as a driver, focusing entirely on running the team. Tony Brise replaced him for the rest of the season, while Vern Schuppan briefly drove the second car before Alan Jones took over for the remaining races. Jones secured the team’s best result with a fifth-place finish in Germany, while Brise finished sixth in Sweden, placing Embassy Hill 11th in the Constructors’ Championship.

HILL GH1, Alan Jones
Paul Ricard, French GP 1975

   At the end of the season, development began on the new GH2 for 1976. However, on November 29, 1975, a tragic plane crash ended the team’s future. Graham Hill, piloting a small aircraft returning from testing at Paul Ricard, crashed during landing, killing everyone on board, including Tony Brise, Andy Smallman, and key mechanics Terry Richards and Tony Alcock. Following this tragedy, Embassy Hill ceased operations, and the GH2 never raced.