Stanley Gillen [Ford of GB Managing Director] observed: –
“We are convinced that the success which British cars and engines have achieved in F1 world championships have assisted the entire British motor industry in its exports drive……..
The prestige which accrues from F1 world championship victory benefits us all”
Introduction
This is brief introduction /overview of Lotus and F2.
In future we will examine individual models in more detail.
F2 did not perhaps receive the same attention from Chapman as given to F1.
Some evidence suggests commercial considerations reduced competitiveness.
The editors believe the Cosworth engines made a significant contribution.
Jim Clark drove both F1 and 2 Lotus and tragically died racing a F2 car.
Cowdrey states that F2 back in the 1980’s era was a customer orientated formula.
That a season racing was likely to cost £150,000 per entry.
It was training ground.
Interchangeability value for money /flexibility for owners , coomercial dimension v specialisation to win ??
Impact of private customers
Subscribers might like to see the directly relevant and integrated A&R pieces that complement and help structure this article:-
- Other race Formula Lotus raced in including 1172, Formula Ford, Junior and 5000
- Cosworth engines including DFV
F2: From wiki: –
“The 1.6-litre era, and driver grading (1967–1971) edit
For 1967, the FIA increased the maximum engine capacity to 1600cc.[2] With the “return to power” of Formula One the gap between Formula One and Formula Two was felt to be too wide, and the introduction of new 1600cc production-based engine regulations for Formula Two restored the category to its intended role as a feeder series for Formula One. The FIA also introduced the European Formula Two Championship in 1967. Ickx, driving a Matra MS5, won the inaugural championship by 11 points from the Australian, Frank Gardner.
The most popular 1600cc engine was the Cosworth FVA, the sixteen-valve head on a four-cylinder Cortina block that was effectively the “proof of concept” for the legendary DFV. The 1967 FVA gave 220 bhp (160 kW; 220 PS) at 9000 rpm. Other units also appeared, including a four-cylinder BMW and a V6 Dino Ferrari.
Nevertheless, many Formula One drivers continued to drive the smaller and lighter cars on non-championship weekends, and some Grand Prix grids (notably in Germany, where the long circuit at the Nürburgring could cope with large entries) would be a mix of Formula One and Formula Two cars. Jacky Ickx made his Grand Prix debut there in a Formula Two car, qualifying with the fifth fastest time overall. Forced to start behind even the slower Formula One cars, Ickx quickly forced his way back into a points position, only to be forced to retire with broken suspension. Jim Clark, regarded as one of the greatest race drivers of all time, was killed in a Formula Two race early in 1968, at the Hockenheimring.
The “invasion” of Formula One drivers in Formula Two ranks (a situation similar to that of buschwhacking in modern-day NASCAR) was permitted because of the unique grading system used. Any driver with an A grading was not permitted to score championship points. A driver gained an A rating via various means (that changed somewhat over the years), such as finishing in the points in two Grand Prix events or the top three in two World Sports Car events. The annual Formula Two champion was also granted an A rating for one year, and a Formula One World Champion was A graded for five. This system permitted less experienced drivers to work towards the championship and forward their careers, while allowing senior drivers to keep their hand in during the long breaks between Grand Prix of the time.
In the early years of the 1600cc formula, Brabham and Lotus were the most numerous constructors, although Ferrari intermittently entered a works team, as did BMW (with Lola and Dornier-built chassis). A number of smaller constructors such as Matra and Tecno were successful. Chevron also provided cars. The French firm Matra won the three first editions of the European championship, with Tecno winning the fourth.”
Lotus F2 cars
| Type no | Year | Engine | Cost | Prod’ | Drivers | Analysis | |
| 12 | 1957 | Climax FPF | |||||
| 16 | 1958 | Climax FPF | |||||
| 32 | 1964 | Cosworth SCA | |||||
| 35 | 1965 | Cosworth SCA | MAE | ||||
| 41 | 1966 | Cosworth | MAE | ||||
| 44 | 1966 | Cosworth SCA | |||||
| 48 | 1967 | Cosworth | FVA | ||||
| 57/58 | 1968 | Cosworth | DFW&FVA | ||||
| 59/59B | 1969 | Holbay Ford | R68 | ||||
| 69 | 1970 | Cosworth | FVA/BDG | ||||
| 74 | 1973 | Lotus 906 | Novamotor | ||||
Lotus F3 cars summary
Type 12
The first Lotus single seater. Not a competition success.
Type 32
Developed from type 27 responded to new regulations
Cosworth SCA engine
Works backed team –4 cars
Type 35
Evolution of type 27 through 32.Engine variation vis formulae contested.
Type 44
Nice looking car
Type 48
As a benchmark note Taylor quotes the Type 48 as costing £5,000 [ cost of house in UK at time]
Change of regulations in 1967
Significance of Ford Cosworth FVA –power and reliability
Type 58
Quality of drivers
F2 Contemporaries
| Year | F2 Contemporaries | Type No | Engine | Cost /Retail £ | Prod’vol | Drivers | Analysis | |||
| 1968 | McLaren | M4A | ||||||||
| Tecno | 868F2 | |||||||||
| Ferrari Dino | 166 | |||||||||
| Lola | T100 | |||||||||
| March | MS7 | |||||||||
| Brabham | BT23/23C | |||||||||
| Chevron | B10 | |||||||||
| Matra | MS7 | |||||||||
| Lotus | 56B/69 | |||||||||
| 1972 | BMW | F2/69 | ||||||||
| Brabham | BT30/36/38 | |||||||||
| De Tomaso | F2/69 | |||||||||
| Ferrari Dino | 166 | |||||||||
| Lotus | Lotus | |||||||||
| Matra | MS7 | |||||||||
| Merlyn | Mk.12A | |||||||||
| Pygmee | MDB 12 | |||||||||
| Tecno | F2/69 | |||||||||
| Chevron | B18/B20 | |||||||||
| March | 722/712 | |||||||||
| McLaren | M21 | |||||||||
| Surtees | TS10 | |||||||||
| Elf | ||||||||||
| Tui |
Brabham Honda
Peers and Contemporaries into 1980’s
- March
- Ralt
- Maurer
- AGS
- Minardi
- Martini
- Spirit
- Maerzario
John Players
‘I can give you some idea of the costs,’ Hadfield continues. ‘I think when we were sponsoring Formula 3, 2 and 1 with Gold Leaf we would spend certainly no more than £100,000 a year, which is chicken feed.’
Lotus 59 Tech spec from Twite:-
Figure 1Lotus 59 drawn by Roger Taylor
| Marque | Lotus 59B |
| Model | Formula 2 |
| Year | |
| Engine /Cyli | Ford Cosworth FVA , 4 cylinder ,water cooled |
| Bore /Stroke | 85.7 x 69.1 mm |
| CC | 1594cc |
| Valve Gear | twin ohc |
| Comp Ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Carburettors | Lucas fuel injection |
| Max.Power | 235 bhp at 8500 rpm |
| Trans/Gears | 5-speed Hewland FT 200 |
| Front Brakes | Girling disc 10.25in dia |
| Rear Brakes | Girling disc 10.25in dia |
| Steering | Alford and Adler rack and pinion |
| Front Susp’ | wshbones and coilspring |
| Rear Susp’ | lower wishbones, top link, twin radius rods, coilspring dampers |
| Chassis | tubular steel spaceframe with stressed alloy undertray |
| Wheel base | 7ft-8.5in |
| Front Track | 4ft-8in |
| Rear Track | 4ft-10in |
| O’length | 12ft-3in |
| O’width.body | 2ft-4.5in |
| Kerb weight | 924lb |
| Front Tyres | 5.00/9.50 x 13in |
| Rear Tyres | 6.25/12.50 x 13in |
Contemporary’s specification from Twite
| Marque/Model | BMW F2-69 | Babham BT30 |
| Specification | ||
| Engine /Cyli | 4 cylinder water cooled | 4 cylinder water cooled |
| Ford Cosworth FVA | ||
| Bore /Stroke | 89x64mm | 85.7×69.1mm |
| CC | 1596 | 1594 |
| Valve Gear | twin ohc | twin ohc |
| Comp Ratio | 11 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Carburettors | Kugelfischer fuel injection | Lucas fuel injection |
| Max.Power | 225 bhp @10,300rpm | 235 bhp @8500rpm |
| Trans/Gears | 5-speed Hewland FT200 | 5-speed Hewland FT200 |
| Front Brakes | disc | Girling Disc 10.5 in approx |
| Rear Brakes | disc | Girling Disc 10.5 in approx |
| Steering | Rack&pinion | MRD rack and pinion |
| Front Susp’ | front wishbones and coil spring | front wishbones and coil spring |
| Rear Susp’ | rear lower wishbone top links | rear lower wishbone top links |
| twin radius rods and coil springs | twin radius rods and coil springs | |
| Chassis | Duralumin monocoque | tubular steel space frame |
| Wheel base | 7ft.-6 approx. | 7ft.7.75 |
| Front Track | 4ft.11.25 | 4ft.8approx |
| Rear Track | 4ft.-10 approx. | 4ft.11approx |
| O’length | 11ft.8.5 | 12ft.6 |
| O’width.body | n/a | 2ft.10 |
| Kerb weight | 990lb. | 946lb |
| Front Tyres | 450/1160×13 | 479/940×13 |
| Rear Tyres | 550/1360×13 | 580/1295×13 |
| Marque/Model | De Tomaso F2/69 | Ferrari Dino 166 |
| Specification | ||
| Engine /Cyli | 4 cylinder water cooled | 6 cylinder water cooled |
| Ford Cosworth FVA | ||
| Bore /Stroke | 85.7×69.1mm | 79.5×53.3mm |
| CC | 1594 | 1593 |
| Valve Gear | twin ohc | four ohc |
| Comp Ratio | 12 to 1 | 11.2 to 1 |
| Carburettors | Lucas fuel injection | Lucas fuel injection |
| Max.Power | 235 bhp @8500rpm | 225bhp@11,000rpm |
| Trans/Gears | 5-speed Hewland FT200 | 5 speed Ferrari |
| Front Brakes | ATE discs | discs |
| Rear Brakes | ATE discs | discs |
| Steering | Rack&pinion | Rack&pinion |
| Front Susp’ | front wishbones and coil spring | front wishbones and coil spring |
| Rear Susp’ | rear lower wishbone top links | rear lower wishbone top links |
| twin radius rods and coil springs | twin radius rods and coil springs | |
| Chassis | Monocoque | tubular steel space frame |
| with stressed aluminium sheet | ||
| Wheel base | 7ft.-1 approx | 7ft.4.5approx |
| Front Track | 4ft.7approx | 4ft.7approx |
| Rear Track | 4ft.7approx | 4ft.8.5approx |
| O’length | n/a | 11ft.7.75 |
| O’width.body | n/a | 5ft.4 approx [over rear tyres |
| Kerb weight | 983lb. | 946lb |
| Front Tyres | 475/1000×13 | 500/950×13 |
| Rear Tyres | 600/1200×13 | 625/1250×13 |
| Marque/Model | Matra MS7 | Merlyn Mk.12A |
| Specification | ||
| Engine /Cyli | 4 cylinder water cooled | 5 cylinder water cooled |
| Ford Cosworth FVA | Ford Cosworth FVA | |
| Bore /Stroke | 85.7×69.1mm | 85.7×69.1mm |
| CC | 1594 | 1594 |
| Valve Gear | twin ohc | twin ohc |
| Comp Ratio | 12 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Carburettors | Lucas fuel injection | Lucas fuel injection |
| Max.Power | 235 bhp @8500rpm | 235 bhp @8500rpm |
| Trans/Gears | 5-speed Hewland FT200 | 5-speed Hewland FT200 |
| Front Brakes | disc | disc |
| Rear Brakes | disc | disc |
| Steering | Rack&pinion | Merlyn Rack&pinion |
| Front Susp’ | front wishbones and coil spring | front wishbones and coil spring |
| Rear Susp’ | rear lower wishbone top links | rear lower wishbone top links |
| twin radius rods and coil springs | twin radius rods and coil springs | |
| Chassis | Monocoque | tubular steel space frame |
| Wheel base | 7ft.8.5 | 7ft.6 |
| Front Track | 4ft.7approx | 4ft.6.5 |
| Rear Track | 4ft.9approx. | 4ft.7.5 |
| O’length | n/a | 11ft.6 |
| O’width.body | n/a | 2ft.2 |
| Kerb weight | 968lb | 970lb. |
| Front Tyres | 450/1160×13 | 13in. |
| Rear Tyres | 550/1360×13 | 13in. |
| Marque/Model | Pygmee MDB12 | Tecno F2 |
| Specification | ||
| Engine /Cyli | 4 cylinder water cooled | 4 cylinder water cooled |
| Ford Cosworth FVA | Ford Cosworth FVA | |
| Bore /Stroke | 85.7×69.1mm | 85.7×69.1mm |
| CC | 1594 | 1594 |
| Valve Gear | twin ohc | twin ohc |
| Comp Ratio | 12 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Carburettors | Lucas fuel injection | Lucas fuel injection |
| Max.Power | 235 bhp @8500rpm | 235 bhp @8500rpm |
| Trans/Gears | 5-speed Hewland FT200 | 5-speed Hewland FT200 |
| Front Brakes | disc | disc |
| Rear Brakes | disc | disc |
| Steering | Rack&pinion | Rack&pinion |
| Front Susp’ | front wishbones and coil spring | front wishbones and coil spring |
| Rear Susp’ | rear lower wishbone top links | rear lower wishbone top links |
| twin radius rods and coil springs | twin radius rods and coil springs | |
| Chassis | Duralumin monocoque | tubular steel space frame |
| Wheel base | 7ft.approx. | 6ft.10approx |
| Front Track | 4ft.5approx | 4ft.7approx |
| Rear Track | 4ft.4 | 4ft.4 |
| O’length | n/a | 11ft.approx |
| O’width.body | n/a | n/a |
| Kerb weight | 924lb. | 957lb. |
| Front Tyres | 13 dia | 475/1150×13 |
| Rear Tyres | 13 dia | 600/1350×13 |
Ford Cosworth engine [specification from “Lotus Coventry Climax and Cosworth engines”] universally used by British and some European competitors
Ford Cosworth FVA engine
| General | General |
| based on Ford 116E ,block | |
| Bore/stroke | 85.73×69.14mm |
| Power Output | Over 200bhp |
| Cost | £2,500/$7,000 |
| Crankshaft | Nitride steel, lead indium bearing inserts |
| Clutch | 7.25.Borg&Beck twin plate diaphram |
| with sintered discs | |
| Head | Light alloy double ohc |
| Camshafts | Chilled cast iron …5 bearing .gear driven |
| Valves | 2inlet, 2 exhaust per cyl. inverted cup type |
| tappets…double helical springs | |
| Pistons | forged light alloy…pot type.. recessed in top |
| for valve clearance | |
| Rods | steel, lead indium bearing inserts |
| Lubrication | dry sump system with combined scavenge |
| and pressure pumps | |
| Ignition | Coil distributor. Alternator .1 x10mm spark |
| plug per cyl. | |
| Fuel injection | Lucas Mk.II with mechanical pump and |
| metering unit driven by toothed rubber belts | |
| Accessory drives | Gear-driven at front and rear of head |
The Cosworth engine was built around the Ford Cortina 1500 block. Which had 5 main bearings. It was rugged and conventional. The Cosworth engine was retailed for what we believe to be £2,500 or $7,000 in period.
On the test bed on one occasion producing 202 bhp at 8,500 rpm.
It was compact unit and an estimated weight was between 260-265 lbs. Which included starter and clutch.
The engine grew out as direct product of DFV programme.
It’s believed these other marques adopted the Cosworth engine included: –
- Brabham
- Cooper
- Lola
- Mclaren
- Matra
Jim Clark ,F2 from wiki
Formula Two results
(Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italic indicate fastest lap.)
For reasons of space, only those Formula Two events which Clark attended are shown.
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 1960 | Team Lotus | Lotus 18 | Climax FPF | BRX Ret |
BRC Ret1 |
SOL 8 |
BRH 1 |
||||||||
| 1964 | Ron Harris Team Lotus | Lotus 32 | Cosworth SCA | PAU 1 |
ADC 1 |
GRV 1 |
RMS 4 |
BET 1 |
KAN 2 |
ALB Ret |
OUL 2 |
||||
| 1965 | Ron Harris Team Lotus | Lotus 35 | Cosworth SCA | MAL DNS2 |
SNE 3 |
PAU 1 |
LON 1 |
RMS 3 |
ROU 1 |
KAN Ret |
BET 1 |
OUL 6 |
ROU 1 |
||
| 1966 | Ron Harris Team Lotus | Lotus 35 | Cosworth SCA | OUL DNS2 |
SMT Ret |
PAU 7 |
|||||||||
| Lotus 44 | BAR Ret |
KAN 3 |
FIN 3 |
MNT 2 |
BLM 6 |
BAR NC |
BRH 3 |
||||||||
| 1967 | Team Lotus | Lotus 48 | Cosworth FVA | PAU 4 |
BAR 1 |
ADC Ret |
LIM 2 |
RMS Ret |
ROU Ret |
FTL Ret |
MAD 1 |
KAN 3 |
FIN 1 |
HÄM 3 |
ALB 3 |
| 1968 | Team Lotus | Lotus 48 | Cosworth FVA | BAR Ret |
HOC Ret |
1 Innes Ireland took over Clark’s car and finished in 9th place.
2 Races cancelled due to bad weather.
Learning Opportunities
Our learning /educational opportunities are intended to be challenging thought provoking and requiring additional research and/or analysis.
These opportunities are particularly designed for a museum/education centre location where visitors would be able to enjoy access to all the structured resources available in conjunction with any concurrent exhibition.
In this instance we suggest the following might be appropriate:-
- How many engine types were used in F2?
- Who were the most significant drivers?
- Which designers worked on Lotus F2 cars?
- Was Lotus fully committed to F2&3?
- Did F2 achieve its objectives?
- Which other marques competed in F2?
- Explain the production volumes for Lotus F2 cars
Exhibitions, Education and Economics
In the museum context the editors believe that commercial considerations are both necessary and complementary with its educational objectives.
For these reasons our suggested outline Business Plan includes provision for promoting products and services which share Chapman’s ideals of mechanical efficiency and sustainability. In addition we propose merchandising that explain and interprets the technical, social and cultural context of Chapman’s designs in period. It’s suggested there will be catalogue for on line purchasing.
In this instance we suggest the following might be appropriate:-
- Two-timing: Lotus F2
- Two-up: Lotus in F2 competition
- Twofold: Lotus Construction chassis techniques for F2
- Too Little Too Late? Lotus participation in F2
- Fabricating F2
- Chapman Facilitates F2
- F2 Facia
- F2 Features
- F2: Fire up –sight and sound –fits and starts
- Lotus F2 flaw?
- Lotus F2 fluctuation
- Lotus F2 focus
- Lotus F2: Fusion
- Ford for Formula Two
Conclusion
Assessing Lotus in F2 is not easy at it involves rule change, specifications and engine capacity. The editors draw these limited interpretations: –
- That the Lotus F2 cars derived some influence from F1 but this did not grant them success
- That commercial considerations might have impacted providing owners with versatility and value for money possibly at cost of focus
- Although perhaps not generally appreciated Honda made an impression with its engines in F2 racing
- F2 did not possibly enjoy full Lotus team backing
- Lotus did achieve some success with the talents of Jim Clark who was sadly killed in one of these cars.
We concur with the remarks made by Stanley Gillen particularly the importance of Lotus to the outcomes. We believe the principle still applies and for this reason campaign for a dedicated Lotus Museum.
Reference:
The Lotus Book. Taylor
Drive It: The Complete Book of F2 Racing.Wood.Haynes.1984
ISBN: 0854293663
ISBN:
Please note the editors of the A&R attempt to give the broadest spectrum of references but not all are available for consultation in an article. However by noting their existence it may assist students in their research.