The Lotus 41 was a Lotus Formula 3 and Formula 2 racing car that ran from 1966 to 1968. It was designed by John Joyce, later the founder of Bowin Cars, with assistance from Dave Baldwin, starting from a clean sheet of paper.
Lotus 41 at a glance
| Raced | 1966–1968 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Formula 3, Formula 2 |
| Designers | John Joyce, with Dave Baldwin |
| Chassis | welded tubular steel space frame |
| Key feature | extensively stressed steel panels in the bulkheads |
| Extra stiffness | welded steel around the footwell, instrument panel and driver’s shoulders |
| Gearbox cradle | double-sided steel |
| Oil system | rear bulkhead used as an oil overflow collector |
| Unbuilt project | sports-racing car with the 500 bhp Type 868 V8 |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Lotus 41
Racing classes of the period imposed minimum weight limits, so steel could be used instead of aluminium without a weight penalty. The 41’s chassis was a welded tubular steel space frame, but its most notable feature was the extensive use of stressed steel panels: in the bulkheads, welded steel around the footwell and the instrument panel, a welded sheet surrounding the driver’s shoulders and a double-sided steel cradle around the gearbox. The floors were also welded for extra stiffness.
Another clever detail was the use of the rear bulkhead as an oil overflow collector. Even the front oil tank had its overflow routed through a labyrinthine path of chassis tubes all the way to the back of the car.
The Formula 2 chassis was also considered as the basis for a possible sports-racing car using the 500 bhp Type 868 V8 engine, but nothing came of the plan.
Design and features
- Stressed steel panels: bulkheads, footwell and cockpit panels welded in to stiffen the frame.
- Welded floors: additional rigidity at no weight cost.
- Oil overflow in the chassis: the rear bulkhead collected oil routed through the frame tubes.
- Steel spaceframe: allowed by the minimum weight rules of the time.
Lotus 41 versions
- Lotus 41 (1966–1968): Formula 3 and Formula 2 car, including the 41C with Ford-Cosworth power.
The 41 followed the earlier Lotus 27 in junior formulae and was raced alongside the Lotus 49 in Formula One. More racing cars are in the Lotus collection.
Sources
- Lotus 41, English Wikipedia: chassis design, oil system, unbuilt project
