12 replies to this topic

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

I was wondering if anyone has this magazine, and could tell if there are other photos inside regarding the 1968 Indy 56 turbine car at its initial presentation? I'm trying to gather as much info on the car as it was presented and tested, not as they were in race day graphics. Also, is there any technical info on the car in the article? Could someone scan the article so we could benefit from it. Thanks.



The wheels on the cover of the magazine look like they might be the four-spoke ones raced at Indy (hard to tell from this magazine cover), but I thought it used different wheels similar to the 1967 turbine for the presentation and for testing (up until march 1968 at least).

Does anyone recognize the wheels on the car in this photo? They are not the four-spoke wheels used during the month of May. I believe they should be 12.5" x 15" wheels all around.



I've found a lot nice photos of the testing car here on this website, but just wondered if anyone has run across anything new recently on it. I have the excellent ones taken by Dave Sullivan and posted previously here.

Thanks.

Edited by Cam2InfoNeeded, 19 January 2011 - 22:10.

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

Another question maybe some of you could help answer. Graham Hill was at the presentation of the Lotus 56 to the press, and Jim Clark was at Indianapolis in March of 1968 for a one day test. Question, does anyone know if they ever tested the car at the same time? It would have had to be some where in Europe, since Graham was definitely not at Indy in March. Does anyone know if Jim was at the presentation at all? Did Jim test the car at all except for Indianapolis? Does anyone have any contacts at Lotus, or any other person/persons I could contact to inquire about this?

Thanks.

Edited by Cam2InfoNeeded, 20 January 2011 - 02:38.

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

I found better photo of this test session, and it definitely had the 4 spokes Lotus wheels it raced at Indy with.



Anyone have any ideas why it had the different wheels for the one day test session in March (see above photo).

[jj2728]

At first glance those wheels look like the same style wheel as on the '67 Paxton turbine.

[Terry Walker]

These 3 pics were taken by Dave Sullivan at, I think, Silverstone, in early 1968. The Kodak slide mounts are datestamped April. It was a private test session. The slides were previously posted on TNF in another thread.







The man in the driving suit in the third pic is Mike Spence, who was at the circuit testing a different car for his own team.

[cooper997]

I can't help with the Lotus magazine, but 'Motor Racing' June 1968 has a feature, if that's of interest.

Stephen

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

Stephen,

Since I don't know what the "Motor Racing' mags has in it, I would gladly accept any help with scans of the article. If you can't post them here, then please email them at:

Ebay917k@aol.com


THANKS!

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

At first glance those wheels look like the same style wheel as on the '67 Paxton turbine.

I don't have a great side view of the wheels on the 56 at Indy testing, but do look different from what photos I can find. I'll try to post a comparison photo of them tomorrow.

Edited by Cam2InfoNeeded, 21 January 2011 - 04:48.

[David Lawson]

The wheels at the Indy test are Halibrands.

David

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

David,

Than ks for the confirmation on the wheels.


Stephen,

Thanks for the "Motor Racing" scans. I've never seen this article, and the photos are new to me as well.


Terry,

Thanks for resharing those photos. They're the best quality I've seen, too bad there weren't a couple of more of them.

Edited by Cam2InfoNeeded, 21 January 2011 - 19:26.

[cooper997]

There's at least 3 Lotus 56 photos in Michael Oliver's book, Tales from the Toolbox. Colour shot on page 71 with Hill, Dick Scammell, Chapman & Phillippe. B&W with Jim Clark in the car during the March tests at Indy and another colour shot with a lineup of both 56's with an Eagle-Offy - these are on pages 163 & 164 respectively.

Stephen

[beighes]

The wheels on the cover of the magazine look like they might be the four-spoke ones raced at Indy (hard to tell from this magazine cover), but I thought it used different wheels similar to the 1967 turbine for the presentation and for testing (up until march 1968 at least).

Does anyone recognize the wheels on the car in this photo? They are not the four-spoke wheels used during the month of May. I believe they should be 12.5" x 15" wheels all around.

According to a drawing by Theo Page, and (probably) found on the "cutawayland" thread, the 4 spoke wheels are 9.5" rim width.

[Gary C]

'The man in the driving suit in the third pic is Mike Spence, who was at the circuit testing a different car for his own team.'
..............talking with Mr.Chapman and mechanic Dick Scamell directly above them. I'd like to know who that is leaning into the engine bay.