Front engined formula cars from 50s-60s seem to fall in two categories as for driveshaft position:
1) central driveshaft passing under the driver seat
2) side driveshaft passing on a side of driver seat
The second arrangements seems to give the advantage of a lower driver position, while frontal area seems roughly the same for the two layouts.
Arrangement 2) can be obtained by a gearing shifting the engine power output to a side, and/or by having the engine canted a few degrees in the horizontal plane.
This could potentially give weight, aero and power loss disadvantages.
Questions are:
Is the above analysis correct?
Is there a definite historical succession between the two? That is, is arrangement 2) more "modern" than 1) or there was not a clear prevalence in time of a choice over the other?
Thanks for your insight.
Edited by Paolo, 03 October 2012 - 21:31.