Lotus 41
1966 Formula Three racecar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lotus 41 was a Lotus Formula 3 and Formula 2 racing car which ran from 1966 - 1968.
| Lotus 41 Lotus 41B Lotus 41C | |
|---|---|
A Lotus 41B on display | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Lotus Components Ltd. |
| Production | 1966-1968 |
| Designer | John Joyce |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Formula Two, Formula Three |
| Body style | Open wheel |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 997 cc Ford Cosworth MAE Straight 4 |
| Transmission | Hewland Mk VI 4 speed Manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 89.9 inches |
| Kerb weight | 420 KG |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Lotus 39 |
| Successor | Lotus 59 |
John Joyce, Bowin Cars founder, was the Lotus chief designer and was assisted by Dave Baldwin. They started with a clean sheet of paper. The chassis was a welded tubular steel space frame.[1] The racing classes of this period imposed minimum weight requirements, so steel could be used in place of aluminium without a weight penalty.[2] The most notable feature of the new design was the extensive use of stressed steel panels in the bulkheads, welded steel around the footwell and the instrument panel, a welded sheet of steel surrounding the driver's shoulder, and a double-sided steel cradle surrounding the gearbox. Floors were also welded for additional stiffness.
Another clever design feature of the Type 41 was the use of a rear bulkhead as an oil overflow collector. Even the front oil tank had its overflow routed through a labyrinthine path using chassis tubes all the way to the back.
The chassis of the Formula 2 Type 41 was also considered as the bases for a possible sports-racing car, using the Type 868 V8 engine of 500 bhp,[1][3] although nothing eventually came of these plans.
Gallery
A Lotus 41C
Derek Bell demonstrating a Lotus 41 at Goodwood Festival of Speed
