Lotus 38: The Special Relationship | Colin Chapman Archive and Resource

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Figure 1.Advert poster capturing the essence of the 1965 event with Clark in winning Lotus 38

Introduction

Our title the Special Relationship is both a play on words but also expresses the serious connectivity, partnership /collaboration and teamwork/spirit that enabled Team Lotus to win Indianapolis in 1965.

The commercial importance is almost immeasurable. The significance of Indianapolis to Lotus and Chapman cannot be overestimated.

It is possibly best summarized in bullet. It provided:-

Enhanced reputation
Reputation linked to publicity and sales both racing road cars
Income –quite considerable see details of purse below
Collaboration with Ford [and by achievement reaching out to other manufacturers]
The possibility of consultancy
Advertising and Exposure to the very important American market not least California
It gave great support to Lotus dealers in the USA
It provided potential sponsors with credibility of the marque ,delivery and success with a very fashionable for the time British image
It bridged and reached out on a cultural level and reinforced the image of Britain in the US during the 1960’s [ nb importance of British pop music , fashion and TV

Ford committed to the total performance programme in the early 1960’s.This was major corporate decision of one of the world’s greatest car makers. Chapman had been using Ford engines from early on in his manufacture of cars. This developed commercially with the Elan engine and the Ford Lotus Cortina of 1962.

It’s with this context in mind we can approach the importance of entry and winning at Indianapolis.

Subscribers might like to see related A&R articles:-

Lotus Indianapolis cars
Lotus and Can-Am

Ford’s Total Performance

Editors have paraphrased from the net etc.:-

“Total Performance was far more than just a slogan or an advertising spiel. It was a universal commitment-from president Henry Ford II down-that the company would develop the cars, engines, and/or teams it took to win in the world’s most significant racing series. Lee Iacocca, Carroll Shelby, Bill Gay, Colin Chapman, Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin, Don Frey, and hundreds more executed a masterful assault on Indy, NASCAR, Formula 1, Trans-Am, endurance racing, the quarter mile, and others. They were successful (and in several cases, dominating) in all of them.

This story was written in race results for nearly a decade. Here are the archival photographs-iconic and seldom seen-that connect names, faces, and legendary race cars to those all-conquering statistics.

http://www.motortrend.com/classic/features/c12_0612_ford_racing/index.html

Ford need to do something and it was the guiding hand of Lee Iacocca that would transform the company. He was the first manager to propose an all-encompassing marketing campaigned centered around high-performance. Initially it was a high level proposal; there were no granular details or specific programs. As opportunities arouse they were evaluated and if it fit with the company’s strategy the program was added to the Total Performance mix. In June of 1962 Ford released a six-paragraph statement announcing Ford’s withdrawal from the 1957 AMA Safety Agreement. It was signed by Henry Ford II. It was at this point that Ford went all in on the Total Performance program.

Henry Ford II

Lee Iacocca – 1964 Indianapolis 500

Total Performance was a marketing program and corporate funding would be subject to the marketing groups strategic planning. The company’s motto became “Total Performance” and was implemented as engineering excellence demonstrated in the heat of competition. Total Performance included programs that directly promoted the production cars and other initiatives that built the brand image. Through the life of Total Performance careers would be built, legends created and lives lost.

Neither before nor after has any manufacture commitments its reputation to as aggressive competition program as Ford did. By the end of the Total Performance program Ford powered cars had won the World Manufactures Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and USAC Championship, international Formula I, II and Formula III series, Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-Am series. Ford also had a significant impact on international Rallying, drag racing and the NASCAR racing series.

Without updated products any marketing program is heading for failure. With Iacocca’s guidance and engineering input from people like Don Frey, Ford revised its product line up. The Falcon lead the way to the Mustang and an entire new market segment, the Pony Car, was born. When the 427ci V8 was introduced it was offered in the Galaxie and the Fairlane. Ultimately there would be a program or multiple programs for each of the product lines and advertising campaigns to promote the success.”

Len Terry

The late Len Terry was probably not given all the credit he deserved for the Indianapolis programme. His contribution was structured and integrated, rather holistic and included the car design and race logistics.

From wiki:-

“He was working on a freelance basis (including for Lotus) when Colin Chapman asked him to return full-time to design a car to compete in the Indianapolis 500. He produced the rear-engined Lotus 29 which, driven by Jim Clark, finished a close second at the 1963 Indianapolis 500 and the Lotus 34 for 1964 which, although starting from pole-position only completed 47 laps (out of 200) due to tyre and suspension problems. Terry later claimed that differences with Chapman meant the car had not been fully developed.^[3] He was also involved in the design of the Lotus 33 F1 car with which Clark won the 1965 Drivers’ World Championship.^[5]

For the 1965 Indianapolis 500, Terry was given full control over the design of the Lotus 38, and the car finished first that year, and second in 1966, each time with Clark driving. However, Terry left Lotus before the 1965 race, having already been recruited by Dan Gurney‘s AAR team to design a Formula One car.^[3] This led to the Eagle–Weslake V12, which has been considered one of the most aesthetic Formula One designs.^”

Terry has stated with regard to the design methodology for the Indianapolis cars he employed the following including design of the first Lotus Indianapolis car [29 ]:-

Mixture of experience
Design know how
Common sense
Suck it and see

For example the cars right hand suspension links were six inches longer than those on the left.

The Design/Specification

Len Terry commented:-

“the most notable thing about the Lotus 38 was that it was a true monocoque, the cockpit being cigar tube ……the 38’s metalwork wrapped right over the drivers knees and was thus 50% stiffer but there were lots of small details that made the difference…….I arranged the fuel tanks –there were three of them –so that they drained from the right side first, thus keeping as much weight as possible on the inboard side for as long as possible

Taylor adds;-

The chassis was considerably stiffer than any previous Lotus single seater but it still only weighed 130lb.the chassis contained a rear-mounted fuel reservouir fed by three separate tank bays ,two length ones each side and one behind the seat this allowed fuel capacity to increase by 40% with no expansion in terms of overall width or height

The shape of the 38 was much smoother than the 1963 64 cars ……….the length increased by 6inches in a longer nose to enhance air penetration. The track was slightly wider at 60 inches. Underneath the running gear remained much as before with the exception of two inch larger ventilated disc brakes and modified suspension geometry “

Ford Engine

The Ford engine was an extremely important ingredient of the Indianapolis car both from the sponsorship aspect but also performance to achieve parity with other established brand leaders.

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Figure 2.”The engine that won Indy” the modified Ford Fairlane V8

Terry states:-

“The Ford engine was strong, perhaps a little over –valved or its capacity but more than powerful enough to do the job”

Taylor:-

“the latest incarnation of the fuel injected Ford V8 engine developed 500 bhp but the difference was that it fueled by alcohol rather than pump fuel ………alcohol engines run cooler than those on petrol ,a smaller radiator could be fitted ……….Lotus used Firestone tyres”

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Figure 3.Advertisment and cutaway of the basic Ford Fairlane engine

Ford Fairlane Engine

The editors have seen a variety of specifications for the Ford Fairlane engine. In an article accompanying the above illustration the specification was outlined as:-

V8 water cooled
Cast iron block and heads
Single 4 barrel carburetor
4,262 cc
260 bhp at 5,800 rpm
269lbs/ft. torque at 4,500 rpm

Posthumus [Classic Racing Cars] quotes in relation to Lotus application:-

“The engine which they supplied was a 4.2 litre version of their Fairlane pushrod overhead valve 90 degree V8 series production unit, giving 375 bhp at 7200 rpm on four Weber twin choke carburetors

Ford US 90 degree V8
Bore and stroke 96.5×72.8 mm
Capacity 4261 cc
Four overhead camshafts operating 4 valves per cylinder ;Hilborn –Travers fuel injection electronic ignition
Maximum power 500bhp at 8000 rpm

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Figure 4.Editors sketch of type 38 with representational cross section of Ford V8 engine. Note sponsor decals left of drawing but details provided below.

Technical Specification from Taylor

Model	Type 38	Indianapolis car
Year	1965
Volume	10
Engine	Ford	Quad cam,V8
C.C.	4,198 cc
Carburation	Hilborn Ford	mechanical injection
Power Output	500 bhp	at 8,800 rpm
Transmission	ZF 2DS20	2 speed manual
Chassis	Aluminium alloy	monocoque,steel sub frames
Body	Body chassis unit	separate GRP nose,tail,engine cover
Front Suspension	Offset to left	top rocker arm, double wishb’inboard csd’
Rear Suspension	Offset Reverse lower wb’	top link ,twin radius rods, csd’,anti-roll bar
Brakes F/R	outboard ventilated	12 in.Girling disc
Wheels F/R	15 x 8.5 or 16 x 9.5 in	Lotus cast magnesium
Tyres F/R	9.20 x 15/12.00×15 or 16
Length	156 in	3962.5mm
Width	73 in	1854mm
Height	31 in	787.5mm
Wheelbase	96 in	2438mm
Track	60/60 in	1524mm
Weight	1350 lb	1350 [Nye] 567 kg]

Note Posthumus suggests a dry weight of 1250 lb. [Classic Racing Cars]

Drawing

Figure 5.Editors sketch working drawing type 38.

Aesthetic

The editors consider the aesthetic of the Type 38 more significant than credited.

It bore the national race colour scheme but this was done in subtle way and yet accentuated. The manner sponsor details were incorporated tasteful.

Despite all the glamour and razzmatazz of Indianapolis the Lotus Type 38 was rather understated yet succeeded in being distinctive.

The editors are not sure who was responsible for the detailing but the bold yellow exhaust prominent above the engine and extending back over the body nicely colour coded with the total scheme. Equally the bright chrome work was just sufficient to lend some sparkle.

The editor did not possess the drafting skill to incorporate the sponsors logo’s on the drawing but we consider these sufficiently important to record them below.

Figure 6.Peter Hutton-Illustration of the Lotus 38- see details /availability from Historic Team Lotus memorabilia

Sponsors and Decals

These are the main sponsors the editors have been able to detect:-

Enco
Sun
Perfect Circle
Autolite [see advertisement above]
Wynn’s
Bear
VHT
Premier
Sunnen
Monroe

Posthumus suggest that in addition:-

Hilborn-Travers fuel injection
Halibrand cast magnesium wheels
Firestone tyres of course

Subscribers who are also keen model makers might like to see the following website as the supplier has a set of Lotus Type 38 decals.

http://www.indycals.net/

Figure 7.Enco one of the sponsors of the Lotus 38

Jim Clark

Jim Clark is particularly identified with Lotus. He enjoyed a special relationship with Colin Chapman. He is thought to be amongst the greatest FI racing drivers of all time.

He was modest, quiet, unassuming but possessing natural talent and reserves of determination and in his own way a creativity as expressed through his driving ability and reading of a race. Here we need not expand .Subscribers are directed to our other relevant pieces about his life and driving for Lotus.

Subscribers are directed to an excellent website:-

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/people-of-ims/indianapolis-500-drivers/jim-clark

Clark almost did not race at Indianapolis because his mother had reservations about safety. Indianapolis was not the usual track conditions experienced in Europe neither the style of racing. The combined achievement of all the parties and team work are all the more remarkable as a result.

We include a breakdown of Clark’s record at Indianapolis and it forms a considerable achievement and legacy.

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Figure 8.Poster found on the net which provides a totality of expression capturing the links around Jim Clark

From wiki

“James Clark, Jr OBE (4 March 1936 – 7 April 1968), known as Jim Clark, was a British Formula One racing driver from Scotland, who won two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965.

Clark was a versatile driver who competed in sports cars, touring cars and in the Indianapolis 500, which he won in 1965. He was particularly associated with the Lotus marque.”

Indy 500 results

Year^[21]	Car number	Start	Qual. speed	Speed rank	Finish	Laps completed	Laps led	Race status	Chassis
1963	92	5	149.750	7	2	200	28	Running	Lotus–Ford 29/3
1964	6	1	158.828	1	24	47	14	Suspension	Lotus–Ford 34/3
1965	82	2	160.729	2	1	200	190	Running	Lotus–Ford 38/1
1966	19	2	164.114	2	2	200	66	Running	Lotus–Ford 38/4
1967	31	16	163.213	23	31	35	0	Piston	Lotus–Ford 38/7
Totals						682	298

Starts	5
Poles	1
Front Row	3
Wins	1
Top 5	3
Top 10	3
Retired	2

Clark’s starting positions from 1964, 1965, and 1966 represent the best 3-race starting streak of the 1960s.
Clark’s 1965 win was the first win for a rear-engined car at the Indianapolis 500. No front-engined car has won the race since.

Strategy and Pit work

Len Terry:-

“I even designed the fueling system, adopting the swirl technique so that we could get more fuel in more quickly, Ford’s top NASCAR crew the Wood brothers did our pitstop.They were fantastic at wheel changing, made a big difference, but I like to think that our refueling rig made just as big a contribution, our pistops were certainly a lot faster than those of the opposition”

Purse

This is extremely important and subscribers will be able to better understand motives budgets and commitments when seen against the rewards. To which we might add those of advertising and reputational value added to the brand.

Despite the distance, costs and logistics Chapman and Lotus campaigned Indianapolis throughout the mid 1960’s. The editors believe this is the greatest indication of the totality of the rewards and a means to penetrate the American sports car market by gaining success at its greatest race.

1965 Indianapolis 500
FP	SP	Car	Driver	Car Name Chassis/Engine Running or Reason Out	Laps Comp	Prize Money	Qual. Speed
1	2	82	Clark, Jim	Lotus powered by Ford Lotus/Ford Running	200	$166,621	160.729
2	5	98	Jones, Parnelli	Agajanian/Hurst Kuzma-Lotus/Ford Running	200	$64,661	158.625
3	4	12	Andretti, Mario(R)	Dean Van Lines/Auto Technics Brawner/Ford Running	200	$42,551	158.849
4	7	74	Miller, Al (Krulac)	Jerry Alderman Ford-Lotus Lotus/Ford Running	200	$26,641	157.805
5	14	76	Johncock, Gordon(R)	Weinberger Homes/Wilseck Watson/Offy Running	200	$21,981	155.012
6	15	81	Rupp, Mick(R)	G.C. Murphy/Pete Salemi Gerhardt/Offy Flagged	198	$18,971	154.839
7	22	83	Johns, Bobby(R)	Lotus powered by Ford Lotus/Ford Flagged	197	$16,886	155.481
8	18	4	Branson, Don	Wynn’s/Leader Cards Watson/Ford Flagged	197	$16,376	155.501
9	32	45	Unser, Al(R)	Sheraton-Thompson/Ansted Lola/Ford Flagged	196	$14,416	154.440
10	28	23	Johnson, Eddie	H. Allen Chapman Watson/Offy Flagged	195	$14,656	153.998
11	9	7	Ruby, Lloyd	Dupont Golden 7/McManus Halibrand/Ford Blown Engine	184	$11,846	157.246
12	12	16	Sutton, Len	Bryant/Robbins & Vollstedt Vollstedt/Ford Flagged	177	$11,586	156.121
13	29	14	Boyd, Johnny	George Bryant Racing BRP/Ford Gearbox	140	$11,976	155.172
14	21	53	Hansgen, Walt	MG-Liquid Suspension/Qvale Huffaker/Offy Overheating	117	$10,566	155.662
15	1	1	Foyt Jr., A.J.	Sheraton-Thompson/Ansted Lotus/Ford Gearbox	115	$20,517	161.233
16	24	5	Tingelstad, Bud	American Red Ball/Hopkins Lola/Ford Crash 3	115	$9,569	154.672
17	6	66	Foster, Billy(R)	Jim Robbins & Vollstedt Vollstedt/Offy Water manifold	85	$9,936	158.416
18	19	18	Knepper, Arnie(R)	Konstant Hot/Vatis Kurtis/Offy Cylinder	80	$10,326	154.513
19	8	9	Unser, Bobby	STP Gas Treatment Ferguson/Novi Oil Fitting	69	$9,216	157.467
20	13	52	McElreath, Jim	Zink-Urschel Trackburner Brabham/Offy Rear End Gears	66	$8,656	155.878
21	16	94	Snider, George(R)	Gerhardt Offy Gerhardt/Offy Rear End Gears	64	$8,696	154.825
22	25	65	Duman, Ronnie	Travelon Trailer/Ruiz Gerhardt/Offy Rear End Gears	62	$8,786	154.533
23	31	41	Gregory, Masten(R)	George Bryant Racing BRP/Ford Oil Pressure	59	$9,076	154.540
24	10	54	Veith, Bob	MG-Liquid Suspension/Qvale Huffaker/Offy Piston	58	$8,266	156.427
25	26	88	Stevenson, Chuck	Vita Fresh OJ/Van Liew Kuzma/Offy Piston	50	$8,306	154.275
26	3	17	Gurney, Dan	Yamaha/All American Racers Lotus/Ford Timing Gears	42	$9,596	158.898
27	17	48	Grant, Jerry(R)	Bardahl MG/Kjell Qvale Huffaker/Offy Magneto	30	$7,786	154.606
28	30	19	Rodee, Chuck	Wally Weir’s Mobilgas Halibrand/Offy Rear End Gears	28	$8,726	154.546
29	27	29	Leonard, Joe(R)	All American Racers Halibrand/Ford Oil Leak	27	$7,816	154.268
30	23	25	McCluskey, Roger	All American Racers Halibrand/Ford Clutch	18	$8,106	155.186
31	11	24	Rutherford, Johnny	Racing Associates Halibrand/Ford Rear End Gears	15	$7,596	156.291
32	33	47	Cheesbourg, Bill	WIFE GoodGuy/Lane-Fulbright Gerhardt/Offy Magneto	14	$7,836	153.774
33	23	59	Hurtubise, Jim	STP-Tombstone Life/Chemical Kurtis/Novi Transmission	1	$8,626	156.863

Total Purse:	$628,399	Field Average:	156.058
Cars Entered:	79	Cars Started:	33
Number Rookies:	11	Former Winners:	2

Customer Cars/retail price

Taylor suggests 10 cars were built and that 2 were sold to private customers for $22,500 each.

These numbers and figures are interesting:-

They can be used to “guestimate” development cost v winnings
The success of the cars would generate demand [spiral we have discussed previously]
Additional cars on the track would provide further publicity
Profit on each car would contribute to positive overall budget

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:-

Compare and Contrast American and European motor racing in 1960’s
Why was the V8 engine so significant to American motor industry
Quantify the financial value of winning Indianapolis to manufacturer
Estimate development costs in relation to purse for Chapman at Indianapolis
Consider the logistics and costs for Lotus attending Indianapolis in the 1960’s
How distinctive were Lotus cars and livery at Indianapolis
Establish exchange rates between $ and sterling in 1960’s
Examine European GP purse in contrast with Indianapolis
Compare Can-Am purse with Indianapolis

Education, Economics and Exhibitions

The proposed museum believes that commercial considerations are both necessary and complementary with its educational objectives.

For these reasons our 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 social and cultural context of Chapman’s designs in period. It’s suggested there will be catalogue for on line purchasing.

In particular:-

Indianapolis :Chapman enters the Oval Office
Indianapolis: Chapman’s Bonanza
Indianapolis: Chapman’s American Dream
Indianapolis: Chapman’s Western Union
Indianapolis :Chapman’s Pony Express
Indianapolis :Chapman’s Transatlantic Treaty
Indianapolis : Chapman’s Declaration of Independence
Indianapolis :Chapman from brickbats to the brickyard
Jim Clark at Indianapolis :Scotland the Brave
Chapman at Indianapolis: An Englishman Abroad
British Pop in America: Chapman breaks all the records
Clark leads “Scotland the Brave”
Jim Clark at Indianapolis: Braveheart
The American Revolution:Rev’olution at Indianapolis
The American Civil War: Chapman challenges the Establishment at Indianapolis

Conclusion

The editors believe the conclusions here are fairly self-evident. Rather than repeat we invite subscribers to look at the objectives set out in the introduction and evaluate exactly what was achieved.In the editors estimation they were exceeded.

Chapman /Lotus and his team came to Indianapolis as a young progressive British team with little previous experience. On a modest budget they won in 1965, came very close on other occasions and set up a legacy that saw almost immediately wholesale that their concept was adopted.

Chapman and Lotus in the early days were not engine manufacturers, their achievement for Ford was immense and advanced their reputation in their home country and abroad. Also possibly allowing Chapman to access production engines economically. Although Ford did not go with Chapman for Le Mans their later collaboration for the Ford Cosworth DVF a couple of years later [see A&R dedicated article] would again set up revolutionary changes that echoed down through to the Lotus 72 etc.

Other marques are sometimes forced to buy or create publicity for marketing purposes. The editors invite our subscribers to consider the value of positive publicity that winning Indianapolis provided. Although it cannot be forensically proved possibly in the mind of Ford and Lotus owners was the glow of association, identification with a big winner.

Finally the editors call attention to the special relationship that pervaded the Chapman /Lotus achievement. A small young British specialist was collaborating with one of it not the largest car maker in the world, crossing the Atlantic out of near obscurity to win at Indianapolis. This was achieved with considerable team work, motivation and cooperation.

Furthermore this was in the era of the mid 1960’s when America and Britain were enjoying an explosion of youth culture and appreciation of each other’s contributions in design, manufacture, fashion and music. Around the time of the Indianapolis success Lotus Elan would appear on American TV in the cult programme The Avengers. It’s very likely in the public’s mind these events possessed a connectivity and association with a particular progressive modernism and Britishness. This in turn might have influenced a wider pervasiveness and acceptance of British products in America as well as feeding the large number of American tourists coming to Britain in the 1960’s. [See dedicated A&R article on Lotus and Carnaby Street etc.]

When we consider the achievements of Chapman and Lotus there is a risk the focus is too narrow and restrictive rarely stretching beyond the racing cars in fact the reality is more complex more fascinating and infinitely deeper in the cultural design impact he unleashed. The impacts still rippling through time in to today and the editors consider will extend well into the future.

Appendix

To better comprehend the commercial/competition interface of the Ford Total Performance corporate strategy subscribers are directed to:-

Ford Total Performance: Ford’s Legendary High-Performance Street and Race Cars Author: Martyn L. Schorr publisher: Motorbooks International

Number of Pages: 208 publication Date: 05 Nov 2015 Language: English ISBN-10: 0760348588 ISBN-13: 9780760348581 – See more at: http://www.getbookz.xyz/book/9780760348581/ford-total-performance#sthash.k6QfNdEN.dpuf

Ford Total Performance: Ford’s Legendary High-Performance Street and Race Cars – Follow Ford’s leap into the 1960s and the performance era–on the streets and on the track! In the early 1960s, Ford Motor Company underwent a dramatic change in corporate philosophy. Previously, under Ford’s young chairman, Henry Ford II (“the Deuce”) safety, not performance, was the goal. But by 1962, even the chairman realized his philosophy needed to change. Ford was nearly invisible to car-crazy baby boomers. Lee Iacocca convinced Ford that he needed to act decisively or risk losing the emerging youth market to the competition. Thus began Ford’s “Total Performance” program. “Ford Total Performance” is all about Ford’s prime racing era from 1961 through 1971. In addition to purpose-built race cars, it also covers production performance cars, specialty models, and unique concepts such as lightweight drag race cars. The book explores the 427 Fairlane Thunderbolt; Mercury Comet; unique V-8 Falcons that competed in the 1963 and 1964 Monte Carlo Rallies; Dick Brannan’s 427 A/FX drag car; Ford Indy 500 winning race cars; 427 Overhead Cam SOHC 427 engines as used in A/FX and fuel race cars; Boss 302 and 429 Mustangs for street, drag racing, and Trans-Am; and many more. The Ford-Ferrari war that led to the creation of the legendary GT40 Le Mans race cars isn’t forgotten. Featuring unpublished period photographs, plus photos and artwork from Ford designers, “Ford Total Performance” covers all of Ford’s classic race and street cars, including Cobras and Shelby Mustangs. It’s a must-have book for any fan of classic American performance cars! – See more at: http://www.getbookz.xyz/book/9780760348581/ford-total-performance#sthash.k6QfNdEN.dpuf