The Lotus 69 was an open-wheel formula racing car developed by Lotus in 1969 for Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula Ford. It was the last model Lotus developed and produced for customers before Colin Chapman closed Lotus Racing Ltd in 1971.
Lotus 69 at a glance
| Introduced | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Ford |
| Based on | Lotus 59 |
| Designer | Dave Baldwin |
| Engine (F2) | 1.6-litre Cosworth FVA, Cosworth BDA from 1971 |
| Gearbox | Hewland F.T.200 |
| Formula Ford version | 69F with spaceframe chassis |
| Built | 57 cars, 8 of them Formula 2 |
| Notable wins | Rindt 1970, Fittipaldi 1971, Walker 25 of 32 in 1971 F3 |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Lotus 69
Because the Formula 2 regulations for 1970 brought extensive changes, Dave Baldwin developed the 69 from the Lotus 59 Formula 2 car. He left the basic construction alone and changed only the central monocoque section containing the two fuel tanks, modified the chassis mounts and adapted the front to the new rules with a smaller radiator inlet. Since Formula 2 allowed engines of up to 1,600 cc from 1967 to 1971, the car received a 1.6-litre Cosworth FVA four and a Hewland F.T.200 gearbox.
The basic layout was designed so that by fitting other suspension, brakes, bodywork and wheels the 69 could also be built as a Formula 3 or Formula B car. When the Formula 2 limit rose to 2,000 cc the cars were fitted with the Cosworth BDA in 1971. The 69F was built to Formula Ford rules with a spaceframe chassis, a modified front end and narrower wheels, delivered with 1.6-litre Ford/Lotus engines.
A total of 57 cars were produced, eight of them for Formula 2. One Formula 2 car was bought by Pete Lovely and briefly converted into a Formula One car, which he ran without success at the 1971 Canadian and United States Grands Prix.
Jochen Rindt won the first two races of the 1970 Formula 2 season with the 69 before concentrating on Formula One, and the following year Emerson Fittipaldi won five Formula 2 races with it. In the two British Formula 3 championships of 1971 Dave Walker won 25 of 32 races and took both titles. In 1971 Chapman closed Lotus Racing Ltd and concentrated on Formula One with his works team.
Design and features
- One design, several formulae: Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula B from the same basic car.
- Cosworth engines: FVA at 1.6 litres, BDA when Formula 2 grew to 2,000 cc.
- 69F: a spaceframe Formula Ford version with narrower wheels.
- Last customer Lotus: the final model sold to privateers.
Lotus 69 versions
- Lotus 69 (Formula 2): Cosworth FVA and Hewland F.T.200, eight built.
- Lotus 69 (Formula 3 / Formula B): alternative suspension, brakes, body and wheels.
- Lotus 69F: Formula Ford car with spaceframe chassis and Ford/Lotus engine.
The 69 came from the Lotus 59 and followed the customer-racing tradition of the Lotus 41. Formula One Lotuses of the period are in the Lotus collection.
Sources
- Lotus 69, English Wikipedia: development, engines, production, results
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