A piece of Lotus F1 History

Piston from Lotus Cosworth DFV 339

The mailman just brought me this amazing piece of Lotus F1 history: a piston from the Cosworth DFV engine #339 used in the Lotus 81 Formula 1 car.

Piston from Lotus Cosworth DFV 339

In the 70s and 80s, Team Lotus was in the habit of keeping the pistons from rebuilds to use as VIP gifts. Each engine’s pistons were labeled and stored but not all were presented. With reference to the team’s archives, Classic Team Lotus is able to identify the detailed competition history for the engines in which the pistons ran. A great deal of polishing, then mounting on a wooden plinth, complete with presentation plaque, makes a rather special item of memorabilia.

Piston from Lotus Cosworth DFV 339

Now while a piston from an F1 engine is amazing in itself (Ferrari charges >$600 for a 2000 piston), this particular engine has some additional history that makes it even more unique. The DFV 339 was used by not one but two F1 world Champions: Mario Andretti used it in his final season at Lotus while Nigel Mansell used it during his first two seasons in F1.

Piston from Lotus Cosworth DFV 339

The piston comes with documentation of the engines usage and you can see that while it was used primarily in practice and testing, it was also used by Andretti in the 1980 USA GP West where he retired after a first corner accident.

DFV 339 History

If you’d like to get your hands on some original Team Lotus history, head on over to the Classic Team Lotus webstore and be prepared to fight the temptation to buy out the entire store.

[via The Racing Geek]

Eighteen F1 World Champions

Eighteen of the living F1 World Champions attended the 2010 F1 Championship opener this weekend. The only missing ones being Kimi Raikkonen and Nelson Piquet. See how many you can recognize in this picture

17 formula 1 world Champions

Back row: Fernando Alonso (2005, 2006); Sir Jack Brabham (1959, 1960, 1966); Michael Schumacher (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004); Emerson Fittipaldi (1972, 1974); Lewis Hamilton (2008); Mika Hakkinen (1998, 1999); Damon Hill (1996).
Middle row: Niki Lauda (1975, 1977, 1984); Keke Rosberg (1982); Mario Andretti (1978); Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973); Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993); Jacques Villeneuve (1997); John Surtees (1964).
Front row: Alan Jones (1980); Nigel Mansell (1992); His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bernie Ecclestone, Jody Scheckter (1979); Jenson Button (2009).

UPDATE: F1 Fanatic just posted a much nicer official photograph
18 F1 world champions bahrain 2010
Back: Alain Prost, Alan Jones, Nigel Mansell, Mika Hakkinen, Jacques Villeneuve, Keke Rosberg, Jody Scheckter, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill.
Front: Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Niki Lauda, Bernie Ecclestone, Mario Andretti, Jeat Todt, Michelle Yeoh, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Emerson Fittipaldi, Lewis Hamilton

[via Joe Saward]

Evora Carbon and 414E Hybrid photo galleries

Evora Carbon and 414E Hybrid concepts

Autoblog has posted some fantastic live photographs of the Lotus Evora Carbon and the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept cars from Geneva. Click on the images below to see the full gallery on Autoblog.

Evora Carbon Concept
01lotusevoracarbonlive
The Evora Carbon Concept car emphasises Lotus’ motorsport pedigree, utilising beautiful high quality materials with exposed carbon fibre and plush alcantara. The striking white concept car is finished in an advanced water based pearlesent paint that contrasts with the exquisitely finished weave on the carbon fibre panels.

Evora 414E Hybrid Concept
01-evora-414e-hybrid
The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, so-named because this latest environmentally-focused technology demonstrator from Lotus Engineering produces 414 PS (306 kW) of power, promises breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. The concept showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement, the adaptability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that underpins the Evora 414E Hybrid and a dramatic new roof system and interior concept from Lotus Design.

A tour of Classic Team Lotus

Steven Hunker, a Lotus enthusiast from Beaverton, Oregon was recently in the UK and got to go on a tour of the Classic Team Lotus workshops. He’s been kind enough to share some of the images he took on the trip with us.
That is the Type 79…Circa 1978
1st – World Driver’s Championship – Mario Andretti
1st – World Manufacturer’s Championship (seventh title for Lotus)

Name:  IMG_4058.JPG Views: 164 Size:  38.3 KB
Name:  IMG_3990.JPG Views: 164 Size:  40.3 KB

The Type 25…Circa 1963
Driver: Jim Clark

Name:  IMG_4067.JPG Views: 152 Size:  36.4 KB

Name:  IMG_4000.JPG Views: 153 Size:  31.2 KB

Name:  IMG_3996.JPG Views: 152 Size:  25.5 KB

Type 72 Circa1972/Driver:Emerson Fittipaldi
1st – World Driver’s Championship
1st – World Manufacturer’s Championship (fifth title for Lotus)
Name:  IMG_4069.JPG Views: 132 Size:  31.9 KB

Name:  IMG_4015.JPG Views: 132 Size:  44.0 KB

Name:  IMG_4016.JPG Views: 132 Size:  43.2 KB

These are the ORIGINAL drawings for absolutely every Lotus ever produced. That drawer contains drawings for cars Type 29 to Type 38!
Name:  IMG_4031.JPG Views: 82 Size:  28.2 KB

The original drawings for the Type 27 done by Colin Chapman himself! (see his initial ACBC)
Name:  IMG_4039.JPG Views: 82 Size:  24.3 KB

Name:  IMG_4041.JPG Views: 83 Size:  26.8 KB

You can read Steve’ full account and see more photos on his LotusTalk thread. If you’d like to visit the factory and/or Classic Team Lotus yourself please contact Richard Parramint (richard@positivespeech.co.uk).

Fantastic Lotus Exige Wallpapers

sector111 lotus exige
Serious Wheels is running a great article on the Sector 111 Exige with some fantastic free wallpapers featuring photography by Daniel Song. Apart from creating a great looking car, Sector 111 is also a sponsor of the Golden Gate Lotus Club and is a great place to get quality aftermarket parts for your Elise/Exige.

Click through
to get the images in a variety of different sizes.