1962 Lotus Type 19

The mid-engined Lotus Type 19 was produced from 1960 through 1962 and based on the Type 18 and fitted with a fiberglass body over a classic Lotus tube spaceframe. Initially, the Type 19 was powered by a 2496cc (2.5-liter) Coventry Climax engine. Engine capacities varied, ranging from 1.5 to 2.75 liters.

A total of seventeen examples of the Type 19 were constructed.

The Type 19 was given the name 'Monte Carlo' by Colin Chapman in honor of Stirling Moss's victory at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix. This was Lotus's first in Formula 1 competition.

Stirling Moss tested the Lotus in July of 1960, and it made a winning race debut at Karlskoga in Sweden that year. The Type 19 was very successful, winning at home and overseas, piloted by many of the top drivers of the era, including Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Innes Ireland, and the late Stirling Moss.

Among the racing accomplishments were victories at the 1961 Canadian Grand Prix driven by Peter Ryan and a victory at the 1962 Daytona 3 Hours by Dan Gurney. Innes Ireland placed first at the 1962 Nassau Trophy Race, and Frank Matich captured the checkered flag at the Australian Tourist Trophy in 1964.

Specification

The Lotus 19 rested on a 95-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 141 inches, a height of 31 inches, and a width of 60.5 inches. The Coventry Climax FPF engine was placed mid-ship and powered the rear wheels. It was paired with Lotus' own five-speed sequential transaxle nicknamed 'Queerbox.' Although this gearbox had been problematic on the Lotus 15, updates resulted in a reliable unit for the Lotus 18. Most of the examples destined for the American market received a Colotti transaxle.

Nine Lotus 19 originally housed 2.5-liter Climax engines, two received 2.0-liter Climax engines, and a single example was powered by a 1.5-liter Climax engine. Four examples were delivered sans engine, with three later receiving 3.5-liter Buick engines, the fourth was given a 2.0-liter Climax engine that was later exchanged for a 3.5-liter Buick. Chassis number 952 originally housed a 2.0-liter Climax engine, but this was later swapped with a 3.0-liter Ferrari V12 unit in 1963.

The Lotus 19 was replaced by the Colin Chapman and Martin Wade-designed Lotus 30 in 1964.

The Lotus 19B

John Klug, founder of Pacesetter Homes Racing, commissioned Lotus to build a special Type 19 utilizing an iron block, 289 cubic-inch Ford V8 engine with a Colotti transaxle. Built near the close of 1963, the car was finished in southern California by Roy Campbell, and driving duties were tasked to Dan Gurney. This was the only Lotus 19 built in this configuration, thus leading to its unique designation as a Lotus 19B.

Finished in a red livery, the car made its competition debut in December of 1963 at Nassau. It proved to be tremendously fast, but its Achilles heel was its Colotti transaxle, which often led to early retirement. Like most racing cars, its competitive lifespan was brief, and by mid-1965, it was obsolete.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1959, Lotus introduced their mid-engine Type 18 single seat racing car. It was designed to compete in Formula Junior, Formula Two, and Formula One. It was the company's first mid-engine car built and was a vast improvement over Chapman's early front-engined formula cars. The following year, they introduced the Type 19 sports racer. Both of these cars would help propel the Lotus marque to a new level of competition and served as a replacement to the company's range of front engined racers.

The single seater chassis was enlarged to accommodate a second seat, resulting in the Type 19. The chassis was a conventional steel multi-tubular spaceframe setup suspended by double wishbones with coil springs in the front and reversed lower wishbones with a radius arm in the rear. Powering the original Type 19 was a Coventry Climax FPF four-cylinder engine with an aluminum block and head. It produced nearly 2.5 liters and produced roughly 240 horsepower. The five-speed sequential gearbox was bolted directly onto the engine allowing for quick ratio changes. At all four-corners were Girling disc brakes.

The sleek bodywork was comprised of glass-fiber reinforced plastic and aluminum. It had a similar design to the Cooper T49 'Monaco', earning it the nickname 'Monte Carlo.' Another reason for its name was in honor of Stirling Moss's victory at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix.

The first driver to test the Type 19 was Stirling Moss. He drove the new car to a sports car lap record at Silverstone. A short time later, Moss drove the Type 19 at its competition debut at Karlskoga in Sweden, where he emerged victorious. Joakim Bonnier drove the prototype car to a Swedish record for the flying kilometer, achieving a speed of 253 km/h.

For the 1961 season, twelve Type 19 cars were prepared for competition. The results of the 1960 season made it very popular, and possibly more examples may have been produced if there was not a shortage of FPF engines. Most of the cars created were sent to the United States.

Dan Gurney enjoyed much success with his Type 19, often outpacing other more powerful machines. In early 1962, he was victorious at the Daytona 3 Hours while driving the Arciero Brothers Lotus 19. This was one of his most memorable victories, as he crossed the line with a seized engine.

Between 1960 - 1960, Lotus produced 17 examples of the Type 19, and one example of the 19B. It was not uncommon for the four-cylinder engine to be replaced by a much larger and more powerful V8 engine. The last Type 19 example to be built was designed specifically to house Ford's small block V8. Thus, it was given the name '19B,' also known as the 'Pacesetter Special.' In the hands of Dan Gurney, it enjoyed some success.

It took a few years before Lotus built a sports car replacement. In 1964, the introduced the Type 30. This would be Chapman's first and only attempt to compete in the newly formed Can Am (Group Seven) racing.

by Dan Vaughan