Sponsor, Brands, Specialists and Suppliers: The Companies that supported the Chapman \/Lotus Road & Racing Programme<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Michelin: Triple X rated <\/strong><\/p>\n Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n Lotus cars sold<\/p>\n They were bought for their:-<\/p>\n All the above were integrated within a total framework design.<\/p>\n The above list is heavily dependent on a select group of components [either bought in proprietary or in house manufacture] that delivered the desired outcomes and met strict criteria.<\/p>\n Many of these components often contributed significantly to the overall aesthetic, many are extremely functional and beautiful in their own right .They formed part of a complementary whole.<\/p>\n In this series we examine:-<\/p>\n Understanding Lotus\u2019s use of proprietary parts provides invaluable learning opportunities not just historical but right up to the present day. These lessons are not just applicable to automotive engineers\/ designers but to the wider Industrial \/Product Design professions.<\/p>\n The Skillful and creative adoption, absorption and integration of components was a powerful factor in the Chapman design methodology and contributed significantly to both competition and commercial success. It also feed his ability to mutate parts and materials to his desired ends.<\/p>\n The use of components is a fundamental skill of the Industrial Designer and the direct provision of added value.<\/p>\n The exact interpretation of sponsorship in conjunction with Lotus is difficult to establish objectively. The appearance of a sponsor\u2019s logo on a car is not necessarily evidence of financial support. Access to historical archive and contracts is sought wherever possible but with the passage of time and for various reasons these are not always available or accessible to the public.<\/p>\n This series also embraces the specialist suppliers to Lotus. We are particularly interested in those suppliers and products that have a connectivity with aviation.<\/p>\n In constructing the historic sponsor series, the A&R looks only at the logos worn in period and assumes the company involved had no objection to Lotus promoting their products. The A&R sees much to be gained by the wider promotion of sponsors but in the event that a specific organization disapproves for any reason that article will be removed.<\/p>\n Sponsorship is an instrument of mutual benefit and promotion. Subscribers might like to see A&R articles on Sponsorship and Product Placement to understand the numerical \/ financial reach provided by sponsorship with its ability to identify and project status through identification.<\/p>\n The principle continues particularly with regard to education based exhibitions [see below for details]<\/p>\n Each of these articles is devoted to a company\/ organization that is believed to have sponsored or supplied specialist items to Lotus.<\/p>\n The intention of each article is to: –<\/p>\n Subscribers might to see complementary and structured pieces to this article: –<\/p>\n Michelin Company Profile \/Abbreviated summary <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Michelin is a French tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand, France. It is the second largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone. Founded in 1889, Michelin\u2019s mission is to contribute in the mobility of goods and people and to the development of society. Michelin owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Tigar, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal (in North America) tyre brands.<\/p>\n Michelin is committed to conducting all business in a responsible manner including delivering efficient solutions to meet the expectations and aspirations of customers and shareholders. This also means respecting the natural environment while achieving economical operations at the same time. <\/p>\n Figure 1: Image from the net.Cross reference with photograph below<\/p>\n Good sources relating to this subject are: Staniforth, Race and Rally Car Source Book and Campbell Automobile Suspension.<\/em><\/p>\n In the Chapman\/Lotus era the Company was identified with X brand tyres from the early years.<\/p>\n Paraphrasing Campbell, Michelin introduced the X series Radial in 1948\u2026..they were aware that the contact patch (or footprint) suffers distortion and a scrubbing action under cornering forces and to a lesser extent under acceleration and braking\u2026<\/p>\n In the new X tyres Michelin changed the method of tyre construction to reduce the amount of distortion in the footprint zone and immediately doubled the life of the car tyres using identical compounds.<\/p>\n Michelin stiffened the zone behind the tread by bands of steel mesh. They also increased the flexibility of the sidewalls by increasing the cord bias angle to 90 degrees , hence the name \u201cRadial \u201c ,since the textile cords passed radially from inner to outer bead edge \u2026.<\/p>\n A characteristics of the original X tyre was superior cornering power that had a tendency to fall rapidly as the limiting cornering speed was reached. With more modern Radial tyres breakaway is more gradual and well within the control of the average driver \u2026<\/p>\n With normal road speed and moderate cornering modern Radial tyres give mileage of 40-50000 miles \u201c<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Figure 2: Image from Motor Sport, Vol. 31. 1955\u201c<\/p>\n Wake in Ford Specials Builders Manual <\/em>wrote:<\/p>\n \u201cReplacement new Ford 17 inch wheels are available for about \u00a31 .Alternatively special light weight wheels weighing 12 lb. each are available from Ballamy and these retail for about \u00a32 each. These latter wheels are only 15 inch diameter \u2026.<\/p>\n If new tyres are to be bought without doubt one of the best that can be used is the Michelin Its road holding and wear properties are considerably better than its rivals under nearly all circumstances and these tyres cost with tube in the popular size of 5.30 x 15 about \u00a35 each. Other tyres such as Dunlop and Firestone can of course also be used with a fair degrees of success \u201c<\/p>\n For comparative analysis a fitter and turner in 1956 was earning 160-6 per week and a teacher \u00a31275 per annum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 3: Two Ford Specials, Ford 17 inch (yellow) and Ballamy 15 inch with Michelin X (silver)<\/p>\n Lotus Connections <\/strong><\/p>\n We believe that many Lotus Mk.Mk VI were fitted with Michelin X tyres and later the Lotus types 81\/87\/88 were fitted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figure 4: Ballamy wheel advertisement including Michelin X tyre 135×15 inch (see photograph below)<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Figure 5: Lotus 86 scale model on Michelin Tyres?<\/p>\n\n
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\nEvery decision and action Michelin undertakes is based on the following five fundamental values:<\/p>\n\n