 1959 18 FJ | 1961 18  |
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The Lotus 18 was the first mid-engined vehicle built by Lotus. The design was created by Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, and created specifically related for Formula 1 and Formula 2 racing. The mid-engined designed brought the Lotus racing efforts to another level and greatly improved their ability to compete in the fiercely competitive formula series.
Lotus introduced their Model 18 in 1960 and competed with it in Formula 1 and 2 competition. The lightweight, powerful, and simple design was the correct combination and the car proved to be rather competitive. It was powered by a 2.5 liter Coventry Climax engine but after rule changes occurred in 1961, the displacement was reduced to 1.5. The chassis was constructed from a space-frame unit and lightweight body panels were bolted on, creating a lightweight, rigid, and strong design.
The first Formula One victory for the Lotus 18 came from a privateer named Rob Walker. This was the start of many podium finishes and a career that would last a rather long time in terms of racing. Lotus introduced the 21 and 24 but it was not until the Lotus 25 did Lotus find a suitable replacement. The Lotus 25 featured a fully stressed monocoque chassis which was the first of its type to be used in Formula One competition. This made the car more rigid and stronger than other cars in F1.
In the very capable hands of Stirling Moss the Lotus 18 finished first at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix and also won the American Grand Prix at the end of the seas. Lotus finished third in the constructors' championship. Moss repeated his victory at Monaco the following year. At Nurburgring and in very terrible weather, Moss and the Lotus 18 once again finished in first place. At the close of the season, with the Innes Ireland, finished second in the Constructors' Championship.
In the United States, the Lotus 18 dominated the Formula Junior series. Arundel, Clark, and Stacy won nearly all the events that they entered. In Formula Junior specification, the cars were powered by a 1100cc Ford Cosworth engine that produced around 100 horsepower. The brakes are aluminum finned drums and the suspension is comprised of wishbones.
Two Lotus 18 Formula Junior cars were later converted to Formula One specifications. The Lotus 20 and 21 were the successor models to the Lotus 18. The 21 was used in Formula One while the 20 was the Formula Junior entry. Some 18 chassis were rebodied with 21 skins to create the interim Lotus 18/21 hybrid derivative. 27 examples were built by Lotus. 18 were built in 1960 and 9 in 1960.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2012
For more information and related vehicles, click hereLotus introduced their Model 18 in 1960 and competed with it in Formula 1 and 2 competition. The lightweight, powerful, and simple design was the correct combination and the car proved to be rather competitive. It was powered by a 2.5 liter Coventry Climax engine but after rule changes occurred in 1961, the displacement was reduced to 1.5. The chassis was constructed from a space-frame unit and lightweight body panels were bolted on, creating a lightweight, rigid, and strong design.
The first Formula One victory for the Lotus 18 came from a privateer named Rob Walker. This was the start of many podium finishes and a career that would last a rather long time in terms of racing. Lotus introduced the 21 and 24 but it was not until the Lotus 25 did Lotus find a suitable replacement. The Lotus 25 featured a fully stressed monocoque chassis which was the first of its type to be used in Formula One competition. This made the car more rigid and stronger than other cars in F1.
In the very capable hands of Stirling Moss the Lotus 18 finished first at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix and also won the American Grand Prix at the end of the seas. Lotus finished third in the constructors' championship. Moss repeated his victory at Monaco the following year. At Nurburgring and in very terrible weather, Moss and the Lotus 18 once again finished in first place. At the close of the season, with the Innes Ireland, finished second in the Constructors' Championship.
In the United States, the Lotus 18 dominated the Formula Junior series. Arundel, Clark, and Stacy won nearly all the events that they entered. In Formula Junior specification, the cars were powered by a 1100cc Ford Cosworth engine that produced around 100 horsepower. The brakes are aluminum finned drums and the suspension is comprised of wishbones.
Two Lotus 18 Formula Junior cars were later converted to Formula One specifications. The Lotus 20 and 21 were the successor models to the Lotus 18. The 21 was used in Formula One while the 20 was the Formula Junior entry. Some 18 chassis were rebodied with 21 skins to create the interim Lotus 18/21 hybrid derivative. 27 examples were built by Lotus. 18 were built in 1960 and 9 in 1960.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2012
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 1960
Lotus
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| Lotus 18 Formula Junior |
| Lotus Elite |
| Lotus Seven |
| Lotus Type 19 |
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| Lotus: 1950-1960 |
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Taylor-Crawley Racing Team Team Lotus 1960 Formula One Season
| Race | Circuit | Date | Winning Driver | Constructor |
| Argentine Grand Prix | Oscar Gálvez | Feb 1960 |  Bruce Leslie McLaren | Cooper |
 Monaco Grand Prix | Monaco | May 1960 | Sir Stirling Moss | Lotus |
| Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis | May 1960 | Watson | |
 Dutch Grand Prix | Zandvoort | Jun 1960 |  Sir John Arthur 'Jack' Brabham | Cooper |
 Belgian Grand Prix | Spa-Francorchamps | Jun 1960 | Sir John Arthur 'Jack' Brabham | Cooper |
 French Grand Prix | Reims-Gueux | Jul 1960 | Sir John Arthur 'Jack' Brabham | Cooper |
| British Grand Prix | Silverstone | Jul 1960 | Sir John Arthur 'Jack' Brabham | Cooper |
 Portuguese Grand Prix | Circuito da Boavista | Aug 1960 | Sir John Arthur 'Jack' Brabham | Cooper |
 Italian Grand Prix | Monza | Sep 1960 | Philip Toll Hill, Jr | Ferrari |
| United States Grand Prix | Riverside International | Nov 1960 | Sir Stirling Moss | Lotus |
| 16 18 FJ 340R 51 and 51A 61 | 81 Carlton Cortina Elan Eleven | Elise Elite Type 14 Coupé Esprit Europa Evora | Excel Exige Fifteen Mark VI Seven | Type 19 Type 20 Type 21 Type 22 Type 23 | Type 24 Type 25 Type 27 Type 30 Type 38 | Type 49 |
| 1959 18 FJ | 1961 18 |
