1964 Lotus Type 30

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.

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.

Designed by Colin Chapman and Len Terry and introduced in 1964, the Lotus 30 used a Lotus Elan inspired backbone chassis and a Lotus modified Ford 289 power plant that provided 350 bhp to the 1500 pound car.
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.

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.