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1965 Lotus Type 38 Navigation
This is one of the seminal cars in American racing history. In the early 1960s, legendary road racer Dan Gurney concluded that the proper application of European Formula 1 technology could capture the Indianapolis 500. He brought Lotus founder Colin Chapman and Ford Motor Company together and the result was a lightweight Lotus chassis powered by a specially designed Ford V8 engine.
The Lotus Team's first victory at a US circuit was at the US Grand Prix in 1961. Thereafter, Lotus owner Colin Chapman set his sights on winning at Indianapolis. He entered his first rear-engined Lotus in 1963 when Jim Clark drove the Ford-powered Lotus 29 to an amazing second place. The front engined boys took notice. In 1964 the much revised Lotus 34 with new Ford V8 appeared at the Brickyard but due to tire wear the suspension collapsed and the team withdrew its cars. No expense was spared at Lotus for the 1965 evolution of their Indy racer, the Lotus 38. Its design was sleeker than the previous cars and the chassis was slightly modified. Jim Clark once again dominated the race in this Lotus 38/1 against a grid of mixed front- and rear-engined cars. It was a historic victory; the first for a mid-engined car, the first for a British car and the first for a Ford engine.
In 1965, Scotsman Jimmy Clark drove this Lotus 38 to victory in the Indianapolis 500. Jim Clark dominated the 1965 race. Dan Gurney was the catalyst who brought the individual elements together by suggesting that European Formula One technology could capture the Indianapolis 500. He brought the Ford Motor Company together with Colin Chapman, the genius behind Lotus sports and racing cars, and the combined talents resulted in a lightweight Lotus chassis powered by Ford's specially designed 4.2-liter, V8 engine. With its monocoque chassis, 4-wheel independent suspension, and rear-mounted engine, the Lotus-Ford effectively killed off the traditional Indy roadster and established a new era for American race cars at the Brickyard.
The Lotus Team's first victory at a US circuit was at the US Grand Prix in 1961. Thereafter, Lotus owner Colin Chapman set his sights on winning at Indianapolis. He entered his first rear-engined Lotus in 1963 when Jim Clark drove the Ford-powered Lotus 29 to an amazing second place. The front engined boys took notice. In 1964 the much revised Lotus 34 with new Ford V8 appeared at the Brickyard but due to tire wear the suspension collapsed and the team withdrew its cars. No expense was spared at Lotus for the 1965 evolution of their Indy racer, the Lotus 38. Its design was sleeker than the previous cars and the chassis was slightly modified. Jim Clark once again dominated the race in this Lotus 38/1 against a grid of mixed front- and rear-engined cars. It was a historic victory; the first for a mid-engined car, the first for a British car and the first for a Ford engine.
In 1965, Scotsman Jimmy Clark drove this Lotus 38 to victory in the Indianapolis 500. Jim Clark dominated the 1965 race. Dan Gurney was the catalyst who brought the individual elements together by suggesting that European Formula One technology could capture the Indianapolis 500. He brought the Ford Motor Company together with Colin Chapman, the genius behind Lotus sports and racing cars, and the combined talents resulted in a lightweight Lotus chassis powered by Ford's specially designed 4.2-liter, V8 engine. With its monocoque chassis, 4-wheel independent suspension, and rear-mounted engine, the Lotus-Ford effectively killed off the traditional Indy roadster and established a new era for American race cars at the Brickyard.
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Recent Sales of the Lotus Type 38
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1965 Lotus Type 38
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