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1966 Lotus Type 38

Roadster

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 One 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.

When Lotus returned to Indianapolis for its fourth time in 1966, after finishing 2nd in 1963 and winning in 1965 with driver Jim Clark, it did so with Andy Granatelli and the STP Corporation at which time they went from British racing green to day glow orange. Clark qualified 2nd and led for 66 laps until handling problems dropped him back to second place where he finished. Clark's Lotus was acquired by A.J. Foyt and was the basis for his 1967 Indianapolis 500 winning Coyote.