Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is further piece in our dedicated series comparing and contrasting Lotus and Cooper.<\/p>\n

These two brands have a massive impact on British motorsport which continues up until today.<\/p>\n

During the 1960\u2019s they were at a zenith and impacted through to culture and fashion.<\/p>\n

Both enjoyed the skills of the world’s best drivers.<\/p>\n

The two brands were diametrically opposed in design philosophies.<\/p>\n

Both a worthy of detailed study.<\/p>\n

Here we attempt this in a form of benchmarking of the respective brands sports racers. Of significance is the early contrast of the Lotus front engine cars and the parity achieved with the move to mid-engine layout.<\/p>\n

This piece is partly inspired by a period magazine feature exploring and contrasting 4 well known sports racing cars of the era.<\/p>\n

Subscribers might like to see the directly relevant and integrated A&R pieces that complement and help structure this article: –<\/p>\n

\n
• Lotus 19 [ two dedicated pieces]<\/li>\n
• Lotus 15<\/li>\n
• Cooper Bobtail<\/li>\n
• The Cooper\/ Lotus \u2013full series<\/li>\n
• Lotus Design Decades the 1960\u2019s<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Coventry Climax<\/strong><\/p>\n

  Our initial comparison starts with the shared use of the Coventry climax engine.<\/p>\n

  The following specification was adopted in a comparative analysis in period<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

  Engine<\/td>\n	1.5 litre<\/td>\n	2 litre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  Coventry Climax FPF<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  cylinders 4<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  bore<\/td>\n	81.2<\/td>\n	86.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  stroke<\/td>\n	71.1<\/td>\n	83.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  cubic capacity<\/td>\n	1475<\/td>\n	1960<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  valve gear<\/td>\n	twin ohc<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  compression ratio<\/td>\n	10.0 to 1<\/td>\n	12.4 to 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  max power<\/td>\n	145 @7250 rpm<\/td>\n	176 @6500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  carburetters<\/td>\n	2 x twin choke SU<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  <\/td>\n	or Weber horizontal<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
  lubrication<\/td>\n	dry sump<\/td>\n	<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n Editors sketch of Coventry Climax FPF installed in Lotus 19<\/em><\/p>\n Editors sketch of Coventry Climax FPF installed in Lotus 19 for purpose of comprehending form and function \u2013see dedicated article for full explanations & illustrations<\/em><\/p>\n TheCooper Monaco Lotus 15- contrasted<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Specification\/item<\/td>\n Cooper Monaco<\/td>\n Lotus Type 15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Transmission<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Clutch<\/td>\n Borg&Beck 2-plate<\/td>\n 2-plate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Gearbox<\/td>\n Four-speed Ersa<\/td>\n Five -speed Lotus or 4 speed BMC B series<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rear axle<\/td>\n Combined with gaerbox<\/td>\n ZF differential in Lotus casing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Chassis<\/td>\n Multi-tube<\/td>\n Multi-tube with floor stiffening<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n front suspension<\/td>\n Coil springs, wishbones and a-r-bar<\/td>\n Coil springs, wishbones and a-r-bar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n rear suspension<\/td>\n transverse leaf spring and wishbones<\/td>\n Independent , coil springs on tele -damper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n struts, non -telescopic drive shafts and trailing arms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n shock absorbers<\/td>\n telescopic , front combined with<\/td>\n telescopic , front combined with<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/td>\n Coil springs, wishbones and a-r-bar<\/td>\n Coil springs, wishbones and a-r-bar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Steering<\/td>\n Rack & pinion<\/td>\n Rack & pinion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Brakes<\/td>\n Girling Disc<\/td>\n Girling Disc [inboard rear]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Dimensions<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Wheel base<\/td>\n 7ft.-7ins<\/td>\n 7ft-4ins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n track<\/td>\n 3ft-11ins<\/td>\n front 3ft.-10ins rear 4ft-0ins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n overall length<\/td>\n 11ft-8ins<\/td>\n 11ft-5 ins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n overall width<\/td>\n 4ft-10ins<\/td>\n 5ft-0ins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n overall height<\/td>\n 2ft-9.5ins<\/td>\n 2ft [to scuttle]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n dry weight<\/td>\n 10cwt<\/td>\n 8.75cwt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n The Cooper Monaco<\/strong><\/p>\n Twite: –<\/p>\n The Cooper Monaco has been sold in various forms by the Cooper Car company for many years and is a true sports\/racing car complying with the current Appendix \u201cC\u201d regulations for sports racing cars .In reality it is a wider version of the Cooper formula 1 car having a similar multi-tubular chassis frame of large diameter tubes but the car is widened to accommodate the two regulation seats……….<\/p>\n A variety of engines have been fitted in the rear of the Cooper Monaco \u2026……4-cylinder Maserati 2.8L, 4-cylinder Ferrari but the most popular engines have been the Coventry Climax 4-cylinder units starting with the 1.5 litre and going on through the 2 litre ., the 2.5 litre \u2026…and finally the \u201cstretched\u201d 2.7 litre version \u2026..<\/p>\n The Cooper Monaco has seen little success in long distance races mainly because the Cooper factory has concentrated on its F1 programme and has seldom run sports cars itself. Therefore the car has usually been run by private owners \u2026….<\/p>\n In short distance races the car has had a great deal of success and there has been many battles between it and the Lotus 19.<\/p>\n There are several Cooper Monaco exponents in the United states who regularly achieve wins in road races \u2026…….<\/p>\n Cooper Monaco picture from Twite<\/em><\/p>\n Specification of Cooper Monaco from Twite<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Specification<\/td>\n Cooper Monaco<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Engine \/Cyli<\/td>\n Coventry Climax [stretched] water cooled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Bore \/Stroke<\/td>\n 96 x 95 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n CC<\/td>\n 2,750cc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Valve Gear<\/td>\n twin ohc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Comp Ratio<\/td>\n 11 to 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Carburettors<\/td>\n 2x Weber<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Max.Power<\/td>\n 250 bhp at 6,200 rpm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Trans\/Gears<\/td>\n 5-speed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Front Brakes<\/td>\n Girling disc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rear Brakes<\/td>\n Girling disc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Steering<\/td>\n rack and pinion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Front Susp’<\/td>\n wishbone and coilspring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rear Susp’<\/td>\n wishbone and coilspring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Chassis<\/td>\n multi-tubular<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Wheel base<\/td>\n 7ft-7in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Front Track<\/td>\n 4ft-6in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rear Track<\/td>\n 4ft-6in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n O’length<\/td>\n 12ft-1in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n O’width.body<\/td>\n n\/a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Kerb weight<\/td>\n 1,250lb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Front Tyres<\/td>\n 5.00 x 15in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rear Tyres<\/td>\n 6.50 x 15in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Form and Function<\/strong><\/p>\n These drawings dramatically highlight the differing approach to chassis design. See A&R piece on T39 for further details<\/p>\n Chassis drawing Allington <\/em><\/p>\n Engineering drawings from period model magazines<\/em><\/p>\n The Lotus 15<\/strong><\/p>\n Avoiding repetition subscribers are directed to our dedicated article.<\/p>\n Editors working drawing of Lotus 15<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note this very significant and highly redolent image of the Lotus 15 outside the Tottenham Lane factory.The John Ross Motoring Archive<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Lotus 19<\/strong><\/p>\n Avoiding repetition subscribers are directed to our dedicated articles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editors chassis drawing from Allington along with the chassis model with mannequin to indicate ergonomics<\/em><\/p>\n Editors working drawing of Lotus 19<\/em><\/p>\n Production Volumes<\/strong><\/p>\n The editors believe approximately 14 Cooper Monaco’s were sold.<\/p>\n This compares with the Lotus sports racing cars [ from Taylor]: –<\/p>\n Type 11 [270]<\/p>\n Type 15 [27]<\/p>\n Type17 [23]<\/p>\n Type19 [17]<\/p>\n Type23 [131]<\/p>\n The production volumes are revealing .<\/p>\n Learning Opportunities<\/strong><\/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 Access A&R materials relating to Hornsey and the Lotus factory \u2013 see also Corrie Bevingtons imagery taken around the same time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n Note this very significant and highly redolent image of the Lotus 15 outside the Tottenham Lane factory. The John Ross Motoring Archive<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \n Compare and contrast the Lotus 11, 15 &17<\/li>\n See A&R dedicated articles on Lotus and Cooper<\/li>\n Compare and contrast Lotus 19 and Copper Monaco race results \u2013 what is revealed?<\/li>\n How many of these respective cars were exported to America? And raced by whom?<\/li>\n Study the race results for Stirling Moss in the respective brands cars<\/li>\n Both cars used a variety of engines \u2013enumerate these and explain respective merits<\/li>\n Which American V8 units were grated onto the respective cars?<\/li>\n The weight of the Cooper Monaco and Lotus 19 were similar \u2013 explain and examine closely respective chassis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Exhibitions, Education, Economics and Entertainment<\/strong><\/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 we suggest the following exhibition titles might be appropriate [ with Casino spin]: –<\/p>\n \n Chapman performs surgery on 19-year-old for Appendix C<\/li>\n Chapman at the Wheel: Steering wheel and wheel of fortune<\/li>\n Chapman spins the wheels, wheels of fortune<\/li>\n Chapman and Lotus going for it \u2013 Nineteen to the dozen<\/li>\n Lotus and Cooper\u2019s- high stakes in 1960\u2019s<\/li>\n Lotus and Cooper: Odds on favorites<\/li>\n Lotus and Cooper: Playing the horses at Monte Carlo<\/li>\n The Lotus 19:The numbers game<\/li>\n Chapman\u2019s clean sweep<\/li>\n The Cooper Monaco and Lotus 19: double your money<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n Avoiding repetition subscribers are directed to our dedicated pieces on Lotus and Cooper.<\/p>\n Possibly most significant and worth emphasising is: –<\/p>\n \n Both brands were competeting against each other at various levels<\/li>\n Both were London based and had a significant impact on the culture of the Swinging Sixties<\/li>\n Both were selling customer cars<\/li>\n Both adopted a range of proprietary engines, significantly the Coventry Climax and various American V8\u2019s once exported to USA<\/li>\n Cooper mutated their single seat Formula cars in sports racers and Chapman followed doubling up the 18 & 19 and then the 23<\/li>\n Neither of these two brands did particularly well in long distance racing possibly due to a lack of commitment \/ concentration on F1<\/li>\n Stirling Moss drove both marques with success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The Lotus 15 was built at Hornsey.<\/strong><\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n See Cooper \/Lotus series and dedicated pieces on specific Lotus types<\/p>\n The World\u2019s Racing Cars.Twite. Macdonald.1964<\/p>\n The John Ross Motoring Archive<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n *Items in italics non-A&R library books.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Introduction This is further piece in our dedicated series comparing and contrasting Lotus and Cooper. These two brands have a massive impact on British motorsport which continues up until today. During the 1960\u2019s they were at a zenith and impacted through to culture and fashion. Both enjoyed the skills of the world’s best drivers. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":284,"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\/3171"}],"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=3171"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3194,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3171\/revisions\/3194"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}