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1955 Lotus Mark VIII Navigation
The creation of the Lotus Mk VIII is a watershed moment in Lotus' glittering and history-making design legacy. It is the first full-body aerodynamic Lotus. Its shape was designed by the renowned De Havilland aircraft engineer Frank Costin. The Mk VIII's aerodynamic body built by Williams & Pritchard gave extra rigidity to the complex and rigid Colin Chapman-designed space frame of 1.25 inch 20 gauge steel tubing weighing only 35 pounds.
This unique Mk VIII is the sixth of only eight built. The frame differs from other MK VIIIs to accommodate the originally installed Turner Lea-Francis engine. Now, with the traditional 85 horsepower MG engine installed the svelte MK VIII can achieve 120-125 mph top speed. It raced at Oulton Park, Aintree, Silverstone, Hockenheim (Germany) and won the Leinster Trophy at Wicklow in 1955.
The fundamental aerodynamic lessons learned on the MK VIII echo in the Frank Costin/Colin Chapman-designed Vanwall VW9-10 that won the first Formula 1 World Constructors Championship in 1958, just three years after this Lotus MK VIII took to the track.
This unique Mk VIII is the sixth of only eight built. The frame differs from other MK VIIIs to accommodate the originally installed Turner Lea-Francis engine. Now, with the traditional 85 horsepower MG engine installed the svelte MK VIII can achieve 120-125 mph top speed. It raced at Oulton Park, Aintree, Silverstone, Hockenheim (Germany) and won the Leinster Trophy at Wicklow in 1955.
The fundamental aerodynamic lessons learned on the MK VIII echo in the Frank Costin/Colin Chapman-designed Vanwall VW9-10 that won the first Formula 1 World Constructors Championship in 1958, just three years after this Lotus MK VIII took to the track.
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Recent Sales of the Lotus Mark VIII
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
Lotus Mark VIIIs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Lotus Mark VIII's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
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1955 Lotus Mark VIII
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