Lotus Connection<\/p>\n

The editors deliberately include photographs of Lotus models from the 1960\u2019s.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s believed that car with race number 38 is a highly modified Lotus 23 possibly converted to compete in GT class and improve on aerodynamics?<\/p>\n

It also demonstrates what was once done to racing cars to keep them competitive.<\/p>\n

This is very much about the culture of the era and the nature of the racing etc.<\/p>\n

We also include a photograph of a Lotus Europa also seen in the paddock at Llandow.<\/p>\n

This model of course would be adapted into the Type 47 in order to be classified for racing .In this guise its likely on occasions to have competed against Daren.<\/p>\n

Figure 2.Editors photograph of what is believed to be “modified” Lotus 23.<\/p>\n

Figure 3.Editors photograph of Lotus Europa at Llandow note Type 47 derivative would have been competitor to Daren Mk.1.<\/p>\n

Smaller Capacity Sports Racing cars of 1960\u2019s<\/p>\n

The 1960\u2019s was very rich decade in terms of amateur motor sport designers and drivers. Often on quite small budgets remarkable results were achieved.<\/p>\n

The technical specifications and designs were diverse.<\/p>\n

Some of the more significant include:-<\/p>\n

\n
• Lotus<\/li>\n
• Bonnet<\/li>\n
• Brabham<\/li>\n
• Deep Sanderson<\/li>\n
• Diva<\/li>\n
• Elva [Mk.7 & 7S]<\/li>\n
• Lola<\/li>\n
• Merlyn<\/li>\n
• Crossle<\/li>\n
• Nomad<\/li>\n
• Ginetta G16A<\/li>\n
• Chevron B8-B16<\/li>\n
• Astra<\/li>\n
• Costin-Nathan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Learning Opportunities<\/p>\n

  Our learning \/educational opportunities are intended to be challenging thought provoking and requiring additional research and\/or analysis.<\/p>\n

  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.<\/p>\n

  In this instance we suggest the following might be appropriate:-<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Research race results on net and compare entry \/results against Lotus<\/li>\n
  • Trace the development of Daren racing cars and determine if they bore any similarity with Lotus<\/li>\n
  • Where possible obtain race programme for LLandow and benchmark Daren against competitors ;estimate advantage of aerodynamics to results<\/li>\n
  • Study race culture of times and consider how such an advanced and beautiful car could be constructed on relatively low budget etc.<\/li>\n
  • Consider if a book devoted to John Green and Daren would be feasible \/attractive proposition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Exhibitions, Education and Economics<\/p>\n

    In the museum context the editors believe that commercial considerations are both necessary and complementary with its educational objectives.<\/p>\n

    For these reasons our suggested outline Business Plan includes provision for promoting products and services which share Chapman\u2019s ideals of mechanical efficiency and sustainability. In addition we propose merchandising that explain and interprets the social and cultural context of Chapman\u2019s designs in period. It\u2019s suggested there will be catalogue for on line purchasing.<\/p>\n

    In this instance and relative to Daren in the 1960\u2019s we suggest the following:-<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Sixties Groups :Group racing in period \u2013Wingless Wonders: The organic beauty of Sports Racing Cars before aerodynamic devices<\/li>\n
    • Cunning Plan: Slippery Shapes :Drawing and building aluminium bodies for racing cars<\/li>\n
    • Lesser known British specialist marques ,marques and specifications drawn from examples listed above<\/li>\n
    • Giving them the slip: Slippery shapes of the era \u2013automobile bodies on sports racing cars of the 1960\u2019s<\/li>\n
    • Keeping track off: Racing car set up for specific tracks \u2013the impact of aerodynamics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Conclusion<\/p>\n

      The editors have for a long time been unable to identify the Daren partly as result of misinterpretation \/spelling etc. However determination and luck have given results.<\/p>\n

      The internet provides some wonderful opportunities for research but equally the editors were pointed in the right direction by a real enthusiast.<\/p>\n

      The Daren is very much a product of its era and well worthy of analysis.<\/p>\n

      We hope in some small way to contribute a small piece to the jigsaw of its history.<\/p>\n

      Subscribers might like also to consider the continuum of design where ideas are constantly adopted amended and how perhaps Colin Chapman fed more into motor racing than is associated just with his own designs and marque.<\/p>\n

      Appendix<\/p>\n

      The following technical specification is taken from Twite:-<\/p>\n

      Marque Merlyn Mk.IVA<\/p>\n

      Model Sport\/Racing car<\/p>\n

      Year c1964<\/p>\n

      Engine \/Cyli 4 cylinder water cooled<\/p>\n

      Bore \/Stroke 85 x 48.4mm<\/p>\n

      CC 1,098cc<\/p>\n

      Valve Gear ohv<\/p>\n

      Comp Ratio 10 to 1<\/p>\n

      Carburettors<\/p>\n

      Max.Power 100 bhp @ 8,000 rpm<\/p>\n

      Trans\/Gears 5 speed<\/p>\n

      Front Brakes Girling dis 9in.dia<\/p>\n

      Rear Brakes Girling dis 9in.dia<\/p>\n

      Steering rack & pinion<\/p>\n

      Front Susp’ wishbone & coil spring<\/p>\n

      Rear Susp’ wishbone & coil spring<\/p>\n

      Chassis multi-tubular frame<\/p>\n

      Wheel base 7ft-5in<\/p>\n

      Front Track 4ft-2.5in<\/p>\n

      Rear Track 4ft-1.in<\/p>\n

      O’length 11ft-8in<\/p>\n

      O’width.body 4ft-11in<\/p>\n

      Kerb weight n\/a<\/p>\n

      Front Tyres 4.50 x 13<\/p>\n

      Rear Tyres 5.50 x 13<\/p>\n

      Twite adds:-<\/p>\n

      \n
      • The chassis of the Merlyn is multi \u2013tubular space frame of 1 in x .75 in ,16 & 18 swg round and square tubing<\/li>\n
      • Complies with formula C fitted full width body, compulsory passenger seat, and regulation luggage storage<\/li>\n
      • Front suspension is double wishbone of unequal length, with coil spring dampers<\/li>\n
      • Rear suspension also double wishbones with trailing arms ,coil spring damper units and anti-roll bar [fitted front and rear]<\/li>\n
      • Camber and castor angles of the wheels fully adjustable<\/li>\n
      • Girling disc outboard<\/li>\n
      • Rack and pinion adjustable for height and rake<\/li>\n
      • Bodywork of glass fibre with nose and tail sections hinging for accessibility<\/li>\n
      • Ford 1,100 cc engine developed from 105E Anglia, tuned by Cosworth for 100 bhp also possible Coventry Climax 1,098 cc or 1,600 cc twin ohc Lotus-Ford<\/li>\n
      • Fitted with Hewland modified Volkswagen gearbox<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Reference:<\/p>\n

        The editors have not seen any reference to Daren racing cars in the standard text books but this is compensated for in the excellent internet coverage. These are highly commended!!<\/p>\n

        The World\u2019s Racing Cars. Twite. Macdonald. 1964.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Introduction The editors felt justified in wanting to share details of the Daren Mk.1 built and raced by John Green. We felt that there was some communality of background sufficient to make links with Lotus. Amongst these are:- The Daren used a Vegatune version of the Lotus Twin Cam engine John Green and Daren were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":280,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2254"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2254"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3881,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2254\/revisions\/3881"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}