Lotus 64

Lotus 64
Technical specifications^[1]
Category	USAC IndyCar
Constructor	Team Lotus
Designer(s)	Colin Chapman Maurice Philippe
Predecessor	Lotus 56
Successor	Lotus 96T
Chassis	Aluminium monocoque.
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, coil springs over dampers.
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone, coil springs over dampers.
Length	155.9 in (396 cm)
Width	73 in (185 cm)
Height	31 in (79 cm)
Axle track	Front: 60 in (152 cm) Rear: 60 in (152 cm)
Wheelbase	95.9 in (244 cm)
Engine	Ford 2,605 cc (159.0 cu in) DOHC 90° V8, turbocharged, mid-mounted.
Transmission	Lotus / Hewland 3 speed manual gearbox. Four-wheel drive
Weight	635 kg (1,400 lb)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Team Lotus
Notable drivers	Graham Hill Jochen Rindt Mario Andretti

The Lotus 64 was a four-wheel drive racing car built by Lotus for the 1969 Indianapolis 500.

After the Lotus 29, Lotus 34, Lotus 38 and Lotus 56, The 64 was the fifth and final race car Colin Chapman built for USAC category racing.^[2] The United States Automobile Club had decided in the spring of 1969 that turbines and four-wheel drive would be banned in the USAC racing series.

Because the 56 had a gas turbine, Lotus decided to build a new car. The project was funded by Ford who supplied a V8 turbo engine, and by STP. Andy Granatelli, Chief Executive Officer of STP and the racing team owner, had arranged the deal. Of the three 64s built, Mario Andretti would drive the STP car, Graham Hill and Jochen Rindt the two factory cars that were painted in the colours of the sponsor.

Maurice Philippe carried over as much as possible from the Lotus 56 to the 64. The long monocoque and the suspension was used in the new car. The biggest difference was the engine. Because the 2.6-litre turbocharged Ford engine contributed more than 700 horsepower, a new gearbox was developed.

All three cars took part in practice, but Andretti had a serious accident and destroyed his 64 completely. The accident was triggered by an overheated wheel hub. Since this overheating also occurred in the two factory cars, the vehicles were withdrawn, despite setting fast practice times.

The cars were shipped to England and never used in a race. Almost forty years after their construction, a restored Lotus 64 appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed In 2008.

References

^ "Lotus 64 Ford". ultimatecarpage.com. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
^ Kirby, Gordon (6 January 2014). "Chapman's last Lotus Indycar". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2020.

Team Lotus

Personnel
Founder	Colin Chapman
Notable personnel	Frank Coppuck Frank Dernie Gérard Ducarouge Maurice Philippe Peter Warr Peter Wright Len Terry

Drivers
Notable drivers	Mario Andretti Elio de Angelis Jim Clark Martin Donnelly Emerson Fittipaldi Mika Häkkinen Johnny Herbert Graham Hill Jacky Ickx Nigel Mansell Satoru Nakajima Gunnar Nilsson Ronnie Peterson Nelson Piquet Carlos Reutemann Jochen Rindt Ayrton Senna John Surtees Derek Warwick Alex Zanardi
World Champions	Mario Andretti Jim Clark Emerson Fittipaldi Graham Hill Jochen Rindt

Cars
Formula One cars	12 16 18 21 24 25 33 43 49 56B 63 72 76 77 78 79 80 81 86 87 88 91 92 93T 94T 95T 97T 98T 99T 100T 101 102 107 109 112
Formula Two cars	12 16 18 32 35 41 44 48 59 69
Formula Three cars	22 31 35 41 55 59 69
Formula Junior cars	18 20 22 27
Formula Ford cars	51 59 61 69
Formula 5000 cars	68 70
Tasman Series cars	32 39 67
Indianapolis 500 cars	29 34 38 42 56 64 96T
Sports racing cars	15 17 19 23 30 40 47 53