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1964 Lotus Type 30 news, pictures, and information | ||
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The Lotus 30 was Colin Chapman's first and only attempt to compete in the newly formed Can AM (Group Seven) racing. This was an exciting new racing series that had few rules or regulations and left manufacturers to design and create extremely fast machines.
There had been experimentation with Lotus vehicles powered by large, V8 engines. The Lotus's were a perfect test bed for experimentation due to their low, aerodynamic, and lightweight bodies. The Lotus 30, however, was the first attempt by Colin Chapman at competing in Group Seven Competition. Lotus had connections through their Indianapolis program with the Ford Motor Company. Lotus was able to secure a Ford push-rod 4728cc V8 engine that produced just over 270 horsepower. This was the same type that was used in the Ford GT40. With further tuning and modification, including twin-choke Weber carburetors, Lotus was able to extract 350 horsepower from the units. At least one example was fitted with Tecalemit-Jackson fuel injection.
A five-speed ZF all-synchromesh transaxle was used to send the power to the rear wheels. Eleven-inch Girling disc brakes could be found on all four corners. The first few cars were given 20-gauge sheet steel while later models were equipped with 18-gauge paneling to improve the vehicles rigidity.
While most manufacturers were using alloy-block engines, the Ford unit was cast-iron which added additional weight. Other shortcomings for the vehicle were weight-distribution and aerodynamic lift. In turn, the racer was seen as dangerous and later replaced by the Lotus 30 Series 2. It had a revised chassis and updates to the rear suspension done to cure the aerodynamic lift.
Other changes to the Lotus 30 Series 2 were ventilated Girling disc brakes that now measured in 10.5 inch in size. A vertical oil cooler duct was placed in the nose and to comply with North American regulations, a roll-over bar was fitted. The fuel-injection system boosted horsepower to an impressive 360.
The inaugural race for the Series 2 Lotus 30 was at Silverston at the Senior Service 200. Jim Clark drove the car to a pole position. The true potential of the vehicle would not be fully realized that day due to torrential rain which halted the race after just 52.5 miles. Clark carefully navigated the vehicle to an astonishing first place victory. This victory was followed by another victory at the 50-mile Lavant Cup race at Goodwood.
After a few more races, the Lotus 30 Series 2 cars were sold to privateers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
There had been experimentation with Lotus vehicles powered by large, V8 engines. The Lotus's were a perfect test bed for experimentation due to their low, aerodynamic, and lightweight bodies. The Lotus 30, however, was the first attempt by Colin Chapman at competing in Group Seven Competition. Lotus had connections through their Indianapolis program with the Ford Motor Company. Lotus was able to secure a Ford push-rod 4728cc V8 engine that produced just over 270 horsepower. This was the same type that was used in the Ford GT40. With further tuning and modification, including twin-choke Weber carburetors, Lotus was able to extract 350 horsepower from the units. At least one example was fitted with Tecalemit-Jackson fuel injection.
A five-speed ZF all-synchromesh transaxle was used to send the power to the rear wheels. Eleven-inch Girling disc brakes could be found on all four corners. The first few cars were given 20-gauge sheet steel while later models were equipped with 18-gauge paneling to improve the vehicles rigidity.
While most manufacturers were using alloy-block engines, the Ford unit was cast-iron which added additional weight. Other shortcomings for the vehicle were weight-distribution and aerodynamic lift. In turn, the racer was seen as dangerous and later replaced by the Lotus 30 Series 2. It had a revised chassis and updates to the rear suspension done to cure the aerodynamic lift.
Other changes to the Lotus 30 Series 2 were ventilated Girling disc brakes that now measured in 10.5 inch in size. A vertical oil cooler duct was placed in the nose and to comply with North American regulations, a roll-over bar was fitted. The fuel-injection system boosted horsepower to an impressive 360.
The inaugural race for the Series 2 Lotus 30 was at Silverston at the Senior Service 200. Jim Clark drove the car to a pole position. The true potential of the vehicle would not be fully realized that day due to torrential rain which halted the race after just 52.5 miles. Clark carefully navigated the vehicle to an astonishing first place victory. This victory was followed by another victory at the 50-mile Lavant Cup race at Goodwood.
After a few more races, the Lotus 30 Series 2 cars were sold to privateers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
The Lotus 30 chassis design was based on the successful Elan backbone concept. It incorporated a central box section with a rear fork to mount the mid-engine V8 and transmission. While this worked well for the much less powerful and lighter 4-cylinders in the front engine Elan, the Lotus 30's 350 horsepower cast iron Ford would twist the backbone under hard acceleration. Add to this brakes that would fade after a few hard laps and only the best drivers had much success with the 30. Jim Clark, perhaps one of the greatest drivers of all time, was able to win 3 times over 2 seasons. In its favor was one of the sleekest and cleanest body designs of the day. The low profile resulting from extensive wind tunnel testing gave a theoretical top speed in excess of 200 MPH. Colin Chapman's motivation was to beat the GT40 at LeMans since Ford had awarded the much-desired contract to Lola. Lotus insiders felt they had more important F-1 business and were worried of stretching themselves too thin.
 |  |  | Sports Racer Chassis Num: 30/L/8 |
The power was fed through a 5 speed ZF transaxle with gearing capable of 200mph. The chassis split into a
Y at the rear to accommodate the mid-mounted engine, while at the front there was a cross member that housed the steering rack and provided the front suspension pickup points. Three rubber fuel tanks were installed, 13 gallons in the central portion of the chassis, and 9 gallons in each body sill. A total of 33 cars were produced, 21 in being a second on its maiden voyage at Aintree in April 1964, winning at Mallory Park, and coming home third at the Riverside Grand Prix later that year. In each case Jimmy Clark was at the wheel.
This car, chassis #30/L/8, left the factory December 30, 1964 and was sold new to Homer Rader who owned Lotus Southwest of Dallas, Texas, where he competed with some success in USRRC and SCCA events. The car continued in the hands of Leroy Melcher Jr. Later 30/L/8 ran in the Can Am series. As the years passed, it would make an appearance in a major Hollywood movie, go on to be club raced, and eventually would even be road registered in the mid 1970's. In a five year effort from 1996 to 2000 30/L/8 was restored, but was not raced until 2006.
The Type 30 was Lotus' first attempt at using an American V8 in a sports racer.
The Lotus 30 combines all that can be frightening in a car into one package: a 1500lb car with huge torque,
no down force, and questionable handling. The driver is completely exposed from the waist up while the hips and legs are nestled snugly between two fuel tanks. Perhaps the only thing scarier than racing the Lotus 30 would be driving it on the road as David Taylor did in the 1970s. This was confirmed when the original vehicle registration was found taped to the back of the passenger's seat.
| ALL-AMERICAN CAR TO BE CONSERVED BY ALL-AMERICAN RACERS | |
 | One of the race cars American racing legend Dan Gurney is most closely associated with is the Ford Mark IV that he and A.J. Foyt took to a historic victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. Gurney will get a chance to become even more familiar with the car he helped make famous when his All-American Racers shop in California takes possession of the car's conservation on behalf of Henry Ford Museum, it was announced today. 'I don't think we could have found a better person or better organiza...[Read more...] |
| Limited-Edition Ford Racing History Artwork Unveiled at SEMA; Limited-Edition Print Sales to Benefit JDRF | |
 | •Special limited-edition Ford Racing history artwork is unveiled at the annual SEMA show as part of the Ford press conference •Famed automotive artist Sam Bass created the artwork at the request of Edsel B. Ford II, with proceeds from sales of limited-edition autographed prints benefiting JDRF •Drivers and Ford race vehicles featured on the special artwork include Henry Ford (Sweepstakes), Trevor Bayne (No. 21 Fusion), Dan Gurney/A.J. Foyt (Ford Mark IV), Bob Glidden (NHRA Thunderbird), Jack...[Read more...] |
| THE VIPER GTS-R IS BACK IN 2012 | |
 | •Two identical SRT Viper GTS-R race cars will compete in this weekend's American Le Mans Series event at the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta circuit. •The driver lineup for Petit Le Mans: Tommy Kendall and Marc Goossens will be joined by Jonathan Bomarito in the No. 93 Pennzoil Ultra Viper GTS-R. Dominik Farnbacher and Kuno Wittmer will share driving duties with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 91 Hewlett Packard Viper GTS-R. •This is the first on-track, factory-based participation for the SRT Viper GTS-R...[Read more...] |
| 1963 Andre Simon/Lloyd Casner Maserati Tipo 151/2 | |
 | At a time when Maserati's financial picture couldn't have looked more bleak, it would be enticed to build what many would end up considering to be one of their finest sportscars ever. It would even be suggested it could have been one of the greatest of all time if Maserati had had the money to develop it. Unfortunately, the Maserati Tipo 151 forever lives in relative obscurity when it truly deserves to be remembered as much more. It is often remarked that for a race team to win a championship...[Read more...] |
| Goodwood - Lotus Headlines the Loudest Summer Festival of Them All | |
 | The peace and tranquillity of Lord March's estate will be shattered from 29th June to 1st July as Lotus takes centre stage at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which celebrates Lotus innovation, engineering, heritage and style. Forty Lotus cars will fire up the hallowed hill climb this year, spanning seven decades and showcasing Lotus' incredible racing pedigree; from championship winning F1 cars to famous GT and rally racers, some driven by Lotus greats including Emerson Fittipaldi...[Read more...] |
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 1964
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