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The Lotus 56 is a gas turbine-powered four-wheel drive race car designed by Maurice Phillippe as the Team Lotus STP-backed entry in the Indianapolis 500. It replaced the successful Lotus 38 and the 1967 STP-Paxton Turbocar. The four wheel drive concept was also used in the 1969 Lotus 63 Formula One and the wedge shape became a prominent feature of the world championship winning Lotus 72.
The Lotus was designed and built to compete in the 1968 Indianapolis 500. Andy Granatelli was the driving force behind the project. Three Lotus 56s made the race and were driven by Joe Leonard in the #60, Art Pollard in the #20 and Graham Hill in the #70. Leonard in the #60 was the fast qualifier at 171.559 mph and dominated the race but dropped out while leading on lap 191 with fuel pump driveshaft failure.
The Lotus 56 is based on the original 56/1 chassis produced from Parnelli Jones in 1998 and the restoration to present condition was completed in 2001.
Andy Granatelli was the driving force behind this car. This car ran as the #60 STP 'Turbine' entry. The mid-engined gasoline fueled turbine, normal aspiration, STNB6B-74 PT6 was manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. Other unusual features include 4-wheel drive thru a HiVo chain transfer case. The car weighs 1,345 pounds.
Three Lotus 56 cars made entry in the 1968 Indianapolis race: Joe Leonard, in this car #60, Art Pollard in car #20 and Graham Hill in car #70. Leonard in car #60 was the fast qualifier at 171.559 mph and dominated the race until dropping out of the lead in Lap 191, just eight laps from the finish. He dropped out of the lead due to fuel pump driveshaft failure. Hill was out by an accident caused by a suspension failure while running fourth at 110 laps, and Art Pollard, in the third car by a fuel pump shaft failure while running sixth at 188 laps. The fourth car was destroyed in practice when British driver Mike Spence struck the first-turn wall, sustaining fatal injuries.
The Lotus was designed and built to compete in the 1968 Indianapolis 500. Andy Granatelli was the driving force behind the project. Three Lotus 56s made the race and were driven by Joe Leonard in the #60, Art Pollard in the #20 and Graham Hill in the #70. Leonard in the #60 was the fast qualifier at 171.559 mph and dominated the race but dropped out while leading on lap 191 with fuel pump driveshaft failure.
The Lotus 56 is based on the original 56/1 chassis produced from Parnelli Jones in 1998 and the restoration to present condition was completed in 2001.
Andy Granatelli was the driving force behind this car. This car ran as the #60 STP 'Turbine' entry. The mid-engined gasoline fueled turbine, normal aspiration, STNB6B-74 PT6 was manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. Other unusual features include 4-wheel drive thru a HiVo chain transfer case. The car weighs 1,345 pounds.
Three Lotus 56 cars made entry in the 1968 Indianapolis race: Joe Leonard, in this car #60, Art Pollard in car #20 and Graham Hill in car #70. Leonard in car #60 was the fast qualifier at 171.559 mph and dominated the race until dropping out of the lead in Lap 191, just eight laps from the finish. He dropped out of the lead due to fuel pump driveshaft failure. Hill was out by an accident caused by a suspension failure while running fourth at 110 laps, and Art Pollard, in the third car by a fuel pump shaft failure while running sixth at 188 laps. The fourth car was destroyed in practice when British driver Mike Spence struck the first-turn wall, sustaining fatal injuries.
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Recent Sales of the Lotus Type 56
(Data based on Model Year 1968 sales)
Lotus Type 56s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1968 Lotus Type 56's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Lotus 56 Indianapolis | 56/3 | 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | $900,000 | $1,200,000 | |
| 1968 Lotus Turbine Indy 500 Race Car | IBY1568INDY | 2015 Motostalgia Auction Indianapolis Brickyard | $1,600,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| 1968 LOTUS TURBINE-POWERED INDY RACE CAR | 2015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale |
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1968 Lotus Type 56
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1968 Lotus Type 56 Vehicle Profiles
Chassis #: 56/3
Chassis #: 56/1 RE