41 replies to this topic

[Erich R]

Hello:

I am in the process of trying to accurately determine the history of a Lotus Mk. VI, which I purchased approximately 7 months ago. In the course of this research, I have determined that the car was mostly likely imported to the USA in the early 1980s. I have the complete US history back to 1983, although the car may have been imported to the states a few years earlier, possibly 1981. I am now in the process of trying to determine the car’s UK history.

The car was imported as a 1953 Lotus, although upon inspection by marquee experts it would seem to be a later car, possible a 1955.

The car was imported into the USA in a basic configuration of Ford E100 engine, 3-speed trans, cable brakes and mostly likely 16 inch rims.

I am hoping (against great odds) someone on this forum might have exported a Lotus MK VI to the USA in the late 1970s or early 1980s. If so, I would enjoy speaking with you. Similarly (or more likely), I would enjoy speaking with anyone you might have knowledge of any MK VI exports taking place in this time frame.

In any event, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this post and I am hoping that someone might be able to help me in my research efforts.

With kindest regards,

Erich
erichreich@aol.com

[Eric McLoughlin]

Have you tried contacting the Historic Lotus Register? I'm pretty sure they have a web site with contact details. Also, John Aston of the Lotus 7 Club of Great Britain might have some information. He can be contacted through [url]www.blatchat.com

[Ted Walker]

Charles Helps is your man I expect he will be the next post after this !!!!!

[Charles Helps]

Thanks, Ted. How kind of you to think of me! I suggested TNF to Erich to take his mind off fretting about his car's identity over the weekend ;)

Erich and Pat Dennis in Florida (our man in America - Marquee (and Marque) and Mark VI specialist!) and I have been corresponding about this car since March 2004. The whole car has been rebuilt several times for racing in the States and, like several racing Mk VIs in that country, bears little relationship to the car which arrived in the eighties.

I think, Erich, you meant to write Ford 100E for the engine.

I hope that Erich will be able to find a picture of the car as it arrived in the USA and perhaps post a link to it in the forum and that will give others something to start from. I haven't seen Erich's car myself but I haven't found anything in any of the photos he has showed me of it which leads me to believe that it isn't a Lotus Six. I say this because one or two replicas were created at the time and exported to the USA.

In the meantime, since we now have a thread on the Lotus Mark VI, let's have all the stories of the Mk 6 in the seventies and eighties. And what does anyone know of Autextra of 114 Wigmore Street, London who claimed to be Lotus's 'Sole concessionaires for Canada, U.S.A., U.S. colonies and dependencies' in 1954? They also advertised MG parts. And whose MG engined Mk VI did the late Alan Clark, MP of Saltwood Kent drive (as in the book 'BackFire' about page 100)?

Incidentally who is John Aston - what will John Watson say?

[Ray Bell]

Somewhere around here there's a photo of a Lotus 6 from the cover of Autosport... I think Roger Clark posted it... yes, that's right...

[David McKinney]

...with De Dion rear end

Perhaps Charles can tell us what percentage of VIs had this development?
(I suspect more now than in the '50s)

[Frank S]

What's this at Paramount Ranch? Someone said it is John Timanus.




On Al Long's site (Nostalgia... Fast Racing... Part 4) he calls it a Lotus 5.


--
Frank S

[David McKinney]

It's a 6 (or VI)

[Eric McLoughlin]

Yeas - should have been "Watson"

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by David McKinney
...with De Dion rear end

Perhaps Charles can tell us what percentage of VIs had this development?
(I suspect more now than in the '50s)

There may be more but if we start with:
1. The Strachan/Chivas Climax engined car in Australia (AutoSport cover above) - thanks, David
2. John Harris's URO 80 again with Climax engine, which George Jasberg took to the USA in 1956
3. The Frank Monise/Ed Freutel car on Al Long's website (not sure if this was a factory fit). The site also says it's a 7 (as well as a 5) but it is a 6.
4. Jack van Vlymen's car with de Dion and Ford Consul engine. Chris Smith put a 1.5 litre MG XPEG into it in the 70s and had a great time racing with it.

One remarkable post factory fit was on the car registered TKO 9 in the UK. It got itself onto the front cover of Sports Car and Lotus Owner when John Tallis had it. The home made de Dion assembly retained the Ford Popular diff housing and it had inboard drum brakes.

In general factory MK VI de Dions used the Lotus Mk IX de Dion with the inboard Alfin dum brakes.

[Charles Helps]

I didn't answer the original question, sorry David

... so in percentage terms, about 5%. Most cars in the UK were either used in the 750 Motor Club's 1172 formula races or for speed events or as road cars.

Charles

[David McKinney]

I could have more or less guessed the percentage...
What's the latest 'official' guestimate on total production?

I used to think the Australian car's DeDion set-up was unique - until I saw pictures of one racing in the UK. I guess the John Tallis car. So thanks for your more definitive answer

[Ray Bell]

I think I'm right in saying that the Strachan/Howard car (which I once drove for several laps of the Warwick Farm short circuit... thank you again, Graham) runs with a newer and slightly heavier chassis than it had originally.

And I think, but I couldn't really be sure, that the original chassis was the one that finished up with a Vauxhall Viva engine and a very fat driver in it.

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by David McKinney
What's the latest 'official' guestimate on total production?

around 100 - 110. The first XI was #150 and the 6, 9 and 10 together go up to 149. Still many gaps or mysteries to solve. Erich's car which started this thread may be one of those.

I used to think the Australian car's DeDion set-up was unique - until I saw pictures of one racing in the UK. I guess the John Tallis car. So thanks for your more definitive answer

I should think it is more likely to have been John Harris in URO 80 - he often raced against 9s and 11s. John Tallis was more sprints and hillclimbs - speed not racing.

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
I think I'm right in saying that the Strachan/Howard car ... runs with a newer and slightly heavier chassis than it had originally.

And I think, but I couldn't really be sure, that the original chassis was the one that finished up with a Vauxhall Viva engine and a very fat driver in it.

Yes, I gathered that it had been re-chassised in Australia. I didn't know about the Viva engine in the old chassis though. If you find out any more will you please let us know.

[Ray Bell]

Bought by Malcolm Smith in the late seventies, last seen on a truck headed to Melbourne when he sold it along with another car.

Dark red/maroon in colour... still Viva powered... live rear axle. John Medley can undoubtedly name the fat (original) driver. Graham Howard will probably verify that this was the original Strachan chassis... and I think there were several copies made at that time. But I'm relying on memory of what I was told thirty years ago here...

[Graham Howard]

The Strachan Lotus VI:

Charles Helps (long time, Charles) has my notes on this car, but in brief the story is this. Stan Brown, who had spent some time with Williams & Pritchard before emigrating, told me he built the replacement chassis for the Strachan Six after about three race meetings because the factory chassis repeatedly cracked - Strachan felt he could not sell Lotuses in Australia if his "demonstrator" kept cracking its chassis. The locally-built chassis used 2" bottom tubes because 1 7/8" as original was not available, likewise Stan used paired 1" square for the cross-member under the bellhousing and in certain places behind the seats because 2" x 1" was not available. The original panels fitted without drama and the swap was not publicised. The replacement chassis was far heavier, but it didn't break (it twisted, but it didn't break). The car therefore had most of its Strachan and subsequent history with the locally-built chassis. The de Dion was production Mk 9, and in part of Strachan's paperwork from the factory the car was actually described as a Mk 9. I was interested to see the US photo of a de Dion Six which was cracking its rear guards in exactly the same way Strachan's did.

The original chassis was once owned by Paul Collins, was bought from him and built up into a race car by Eric Beatty, and is still running at GEAR days. The Viva-powered car used one of Stan Brown's own Lotus-like chassis and was completed by Bill someone from around Willoughby. Stan built an unknown number and variations of these, some of them as "Slotuses" for Strachan to re-sell. They were longer, and had fewer tubes. At least two of them have since become genuine Lotus Sixes. Strachan also had patterns made for the final drive case, the de Dion hubs and the spiky-finned brakes and front and rear backplates, and castings were made and sold.

Graham Howard

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Graham Howard
.....At least two of them have since become genuine Lotus Sixes.....

Was the George Short car among these? Or was that the Beatty car?

Graham, I knew very little about this stuff, being a latecomer to the scene, but I'm working from what now is a 30-year old memory of what I was told when Malcolm Smith bought the Bill somebody car.

But at that time, I'm sure I was told there were six copy chassis made.

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by Graham Howard
The Strachan Lotus VI:

... They were longer, and had fewer tubes. At least two of them have since become genuine Lotus Sixes.

Good to hear from you, Graham.

I'm not quite sure how a locally made replica can ever become a genuine Lotus Six

The different tube sizes must be pretty obvious to someone who knows what to look for. Have you any details of these? I know of one car from South Africa which is now in Australia but the other apparently locally built Australian cars I've seen photos of were obviously replicas.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Charles Helps
.....I'm not quite sure how a locally made replica can ever become a genuine Lotus Six .....

Oh, Graham worked that out a long time ago... you do that with a replica of Chapman's own welding torch and you plant your tongue firmly in your cheek. He's seen it all before...

.....The different tube sizes must be pretty obvious to someone who knows what to look for. Have you any details of these? I know of one car from South Africa which is now in Australia but the other apparently locally built Australian cars I've seen photos of were obviously replicas.

Because they're still in one piece?

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Because they're still in one piece?

I haven't heard of that as a problem here or in the US. Was it your circuits or drivers?

More seriously, I had to decide in 1976 whether to keep a fuel injected Lotus Seven S2 or my recently rebuilt Mk VI - I kept the Six as the Seven's chassis had just cracked at the front. A few tubes have been replaced in both my Sixes - through corrosion or accident damage rather than stress cracking. Several cars were autocrossed in the UK in the 1960s and survived.

[David McKinney]

My VI was almost 17 years old when I bought it, and had been raced regularly for more than half that time. The only crack in its chassis was the result of a collision with an earth bank in a hillcimb about 1962

[Charles Helps]

Here's a picture of the MK VI with the home-made de Dion axle.

Lance Hewitt's 1960s picture

A few differences from the standard car...

On the same site there's an article about 1950s Lotus chassis design and stressing by Gilbert (Mac) McIntosh

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
[....]
But at that time, I'm sure I was told there were six copy chassis made.

Slightly OT, but this appears to be one of Stan Brown's chassis:

Buchanan/Holden

did Wal Anderson of Queensland go on to greater things later?

[Rupertlt1]

URO 80 is here at Brands Hatch, May 20, 1956:

 

https://revslib.stan...log/wk545cy4369

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 March 2023 - 11:24.

[Rupertlt1]

URO 80 is here at Brands Hatch, May 20, 1956:

 

https://revslib.stan...log/wk545cy4369

 

RGDS RLT

 

Updated link: https://library.revs...-whitsun/452224

[Rupertlt1]

Sports Cars Illustrated, April 1958, Page 66:

(a Ziff-Davis, Chicago, publication, not to be confused with Sports Car Graphic, Petersen Publishing, Los Angeles, California)

Rare Lotus Mk. 6. 1.5 litre Consul Engine,

fully tuned. T.C. Box, swing axle front and De

Dion rear suspension, 10" turbo fin brakes, wire

wheels, complete. Green paint work and up-

holstery. All as new (only 2,000 miles use). We

know this car and offer it on behalf of a customer

with every confidence. Offers, Lotus Engineering,

7, Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, London N. 8.

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 March 2023 - 11:49.

[Rupertlt1]

This car #70, registration GCF 567, is said to be a Lotus Mk VI (with Falcon bodywork).

 

https://library.revs...ll-climb/415899

 

The programme says: J. C. Handy, Lotus 1,172 c.c.

 

Is anything more known about the history of this car?

 

RGDS RLT

 

[68targa]

Lotus VI reg GCF 567  was first raced at  Snetterton AMOC meeting 24 April 1954 by R.R. ( Dick) Rayner. This had 1052cc MG power. He finished 2nd in class in the race for sports cars. (Autosport April 30th, p359)

 

The car is mentioned in Graham Capel's History of the Lotus VI.  Ch VI-21 - GCF 567  This car was was brought by Moray Rash of Norfolk who raced the car a few times, mostly at the Eastern Counties Motor Club events but it was raced largely by Dick Rayner from  Bury St Edmunds in 1172 Formula events for 1954 and 55. This car was ordered in 1953 and built in time it's first race at Snetterton.  It was advertised for sale in Autosport (12 August 1955 p190) for £450.

[Rupertlt1]

LOTUS

1954 LOTUS Mk VI PB/M.G. engine, 1,054

c.c. Perfect condition throughout, mile-

age only 4,000 since professionally built. £450

o.n.o.—R. R. Rayner, Crown House. Elmswell,

Bury St. Edmunds. Phone: Elmswell 447.

Autosport, 12 August 1955, Page 190

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

And what does anyone know of Autextra of 114 Wigmore Street, London who claimed to be Lotus's 'Sole concessionaires for Canada, U.S.A., U.S. colonies and dependencies' in 1954? They also advertised MG parts.

 

Autextra was a business venture of the MP Alan Clark, automobilist and philanderer.

Clark also wrote for Road & Track, which may contain advertisements? May 1954?

According to a blogger: Autextra listed five North American agents, two in Canada, one in Tucson, another in Houston—and one in Toledo.

Who were they?

http://www.tamsoldra...l#BumpyBellOSCA

Entered at Torrey Pines, 4 July 1954, was: "William G. (Bumpy) Bell sitting behind the wheel of his new Lotus-Autextra, new British competition bomb;" The car was entered #1 Lotus Mk VI Autextra M.G., 1466 c.c., F Mod. Crashed on lap 2 of the feature, hitting the hay bales. Torrey Pines near San Diego, California. (Bell was "awaiting delivery" 14 March 1954.)

https://www.racingsp...1954-07-04e.jpg

Bell was an auto dealer from Tucson, Arizona.

"Bumpy and Marge Bell are off to March Field,

Calif., where he will drive his Lotus sports car in a

national race Sunday."

Tucson Citizen, Saturday 6 Nov 1954, Page 22

March AFB, Riverside, California, 7 Nov 1954: DNF, rod through block.

 

Harry Hanford appeared at Stockton, California, 20 March 1955:

https://library.revsinstitute.org/stockton-sports-car-races/146830

Who supplied the car?

"Coincidentally Ken Miles was named Lotus distributor in Southern California recently."

Valley Times, Friday 5 Aug 1955, Page 11

Ken Miles finished second in class in the main event, race 8, at Salinas, California, in the Lotus IX of Scuderia Excelsior (George D. Buchanan), Sunday 2 October 1955. 

Ref Mk IX Lotus:

"In case you haven't already heard, Ken

Miles is bringing these cars into the

country. Having, now, three on hand.

Engines run 1100cc, 1500cc and 2000cc.

Just pick the class you want to run in

and there you are."

West Coast Sports Car Journal, February 1956, Page 21

 

More on Lotus agents to come:

Gunnard Rubini in Toledo, Ohio?

Toledo Ace Drives

In 'Sports' Race

Columbus, Indiana. Gunnard

Rubini of Toledo will drive his

English Lotus roadster at Atter-

bury Air Force Base Sunday in

the first competitive ap-

pearance for that make of sports

car.

The Kokomo Tribune, Saturday 29 May 1954, Page 11

 

Houston, Texas?

Fairfax Airport, S.C.C.A. Nationals, Kansas City, 4 September 1955

#65 Lotus XI, Norman Scott, Wichita Falls, Texas. Scott described as "rotund Houston sports car driver."

Winner 22-mile, 8-laps, event 1, at 67 mph:

https://library.revs...-fairfax/375105

Production cars under 1,500cc and modified cars under 1300cc

1.—Norman Scott, Wichita Falls, Texas, Lotus, 20mins 4 secs;

2.—David C. Tallaksen, Fort Worth, Porsche Super

3.—Bob Ballenger, Highland Park, Illinois, Porsche Super

4.—Thurl J. Kisner, Pekin, Illinois, OSCA MT4;

5.—Bengt Soderstrom, East Orange, N.J., Porsche

Is this the same car running in the Sebring 12 Hours, 13 March 1955?

https://library.revsinstitute.org/12-hours-of-sebring/465941

#78, entered by Bobbie Burns, Wichita Falls, Texas, & Norman J. Scott Jr, car described as "brand new." Crewed by Norman Scott/Bob Samuelson, competing in the S1.1 class. Engine Climax FWA S4,1098 cc. DNF, retired in the 7th hour, crashed by Samuelson of Dallas.

By that fall a similar Mk IX was in the hands of A. D. Logan, 1216 So. Owasso Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma. "Logan acquired the car from the DuPont family. It was bought by a DuPont scion who was killed recently in a highway accident before the car ever reached the U.S."

The Tulsa Tribune, Monday 7 Nov 1955, Page 14

 

For Autosport of Cooksville, Ontario, see:

https://forums.autosport.com/topic/220725-parts-tools-machinery-factories-workshops-sheds-etc/#entry9844926

 

Harewood Acres, 1956, note clamshell front wings:

https://library.revsinstitute.org/sports-car-trophy-races-harewood-acres/245388

 

RGDS RLT
 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 March 2023 - 08:52.

[Rupertlt1]

The ad was for Autextra, Ltd, 114 Wigmore Street, London, W1, (May 1954). It listed U.S. agents: Graham Wm Bell with a P.O. Box in Tucson; Gunnard A. Rubini, Toledo Auto Electric Co., in Toledo, Ohio; and N.J. Scott Junior, Continental Motors in Houston; Canadians listed were Auto Sport Equipment, Cooksville, Ontario and Fred Deeley & Sons, Vancouver.

 

So we now have the five early agents for Lotus cars in North America.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 March 2023 - 14:48.

[Rupertlt1]

Autocross: Harrow Car Club at Colne Park, Colchester, Essex, 10 November 1957, who is #3?

 

https://library.revs...car-club/395596

 

Does anybody have a report of this meeting?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 March 2023 - 09:31.

[69seven]

Autocross: Harrow Car Club at Colne Park, Colchester, Essex, 10 November 1957, who is #3?

 

https://library.revs...car-club/395596

 

Does anybody have a report of this meeting?

 

RGDS RLT

 

Autosport carried a report of the meeting in the 15th November edition - "R Goodey found his Mark VI Lotus very well suited to the conditions and skated round in 1 min. 3.6secs., but Arthur Mallock only took 1 min. 2 secs. for his circuit and that time was not to be beaten" 

The car was also entered in a Brands race meeting, on 20.4.1958 as a Lotus-Ford in the under 1200cc class, so presumably had a Ford sidevalve engine.

Edited by 69seven, 03 October 2023 - 12:49.

[Rupertlt1]

Here is a question I was asked recently re 888 FME — did a Lotus Mk6 ever race with a) an M.G. motor b) de Dion rear-end?

 

RGDS RLT

[69seven]

Here is a question I was asked recently re 888 FME — did a Lotus Mk6 ever race with a) an M.G. motor b) de Dion rear-end?

 

RGDS RLT

a) Yes, several, e.g. Peter Gammon (UPE 9, 1.5 litre), Fred Hill - supercharged 750.

b) - see answer #10 above.

 

Edited - 9th October.

 

These cars had either an MG (based) engine or a de-Dion rear suspension. The car in answer #10 '4. Jack van Vlymen's car with de Dion and Ford Consul engine. Chris Smith put a 1.5 litre MG XPEG into it in the 70s and had a great time racing with it.' currently has both.

Edited by 69seven, 09 October 2023 - 07:24.

[Rupertlt1]

a) Yes, several, e.g. Peter Gammon (UPE 9, 1.5 litre), Fred Hill - supercharged 750.

b) - see answer #10 above.

 

I meant both at the same time? M.G. with de Dion?

 

RGDS RLT 

[Rupertlt1]

So is this Lotus-M.G. with de Dion?

 

https://library.revs...verstone/406414

 

RGDS RLT

[69seven]

So is this Lotus-M.G. with de Dion?

 

https://library.revs...verstone/406414

 

RGDS RLT

No, I misinterpreted your question and have edited my answer. UPE 9 has a live axle. The ex Chris Smith car currently has an MG engine and a de-Dion rear suspension, but the MG engine wasn't originally fitted (noted in answer #10). This Lotus Mk VI is an original thoroughbred racer (goodwood.com)

Edited by 69seven, 09 October 2023 - 07:25.

[Rupertlt1]

Still searching for a Lotus VI, with M.G. motor and de Dion rear suspension (this is one of those eligibility questions). 

 

Attention switches to the North American cars:

 

https://forums.autos...6/#entry5678623

 

The Mark 6 crossed the Atlantic when Bill

Klinck, of Buffalo, New York, purchased an

MG-engined version which he soon put to

very good use on the track. Another similar

car followed when Tom Gilmour, of Toronto,

imported the first Lotus into Canada, also an

MG-engined vehicle.

 

William E. Klinck, Cheektowaga, New York, seen in the Lotus at B.E.M.C., Edenvale, Ontario, Saturday 18 June 1955. First known appearance in Canada.

Seen here at Watkins Glen, 17 September 1955, with cycle wings:

 

https://library.revs...ins-glen/139601

 

By 16 June 1956 at Harewood Acres it has acquired the clamshell wings, thought to be made in the Autosport shop of Bob Hanna and Jack Wheeler, No. 5 Highway at Cooksville, Ontario, to comply with local regulations:

 

https://library.revs...od-acres/254314 

 

Holland Hill Climb, New York, 25-26 September 1956:
"Driven to second place in the unlimited class by owner Bill Klinck

and first in class F modified by Bob Hanna, this Mark VI Lotus

corners beautifully through the hairpin."

Car is pictured with distinctive clamshell front wings.

See Sports Car, Journal of the S.C.C.A., Nov-Dec 1956, Page 35.

 

Robert Moogk, Hamburg, New York, appears at Dunkirk races, in a Lotus Mark VI, 31 May-1 June 1958.

 

Robert and Barbara Samm, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, #88, are here at Cumberland, 17 May 1959:

https://www.racingsp...-05-17a-088.jpg

Note clamshell front wings. Was it G or H Mod?

Also #88 at Dunkirk, New York, 30 May 1959, car listed as "Lotus RD", H Mod.

Robert Samm ran Lawrenceville, Illinois, S.C.C.A., #8 Lotus H Mod, Sunday 7 August 1960, 2nd in class. Possibly a Lotus 7?

———————————————————————

 

Tom Gilmour Lotus VI, with M.G. motor, said to be from 1956:

 

Car was entered #46 at Rattlesnake Point Hill Climb, Ontario, 2 June 1956: scratched.

 

Car is pictured in Autosport, 17 August 1956, Page 212, at Harewood Acres, with distinctive clamshell front wings.

 

FOR SALE—1956 Lotus-MG, MK 6; very

successful, ex-Tom Gilmour, fastest 1500

cc modified car in Canada; cash or trade

for MG, Sprite, or similar. Also selling

stopwatch.—Oliver Clubine, 921 Colborne

Street, Brantford.

Just Drifting, Journal of the Grand Valley Car Club, for sale Dec 1958-May 1959.

 

Car then raced by Arthur J. C. 'Art' Hardy, Hamilton, Ontario,1959-1960, still with 1,466 cc motor? At the Grand Valley Car Club, Six-Hour Relay, 6 June 1959, the car is listed as from 1954, driver Bill Biggins. (Art Hardy also in the Hamcees team.) Could this be the ex-Klinck car?

 

Possibly to Dave Hunt, Mimico, Ontario, with Climax motor?

https://www.racingsp...e-Hunt-CDN.html

 

Lotus Mark VI, disassembled

$1500 or best offer. 335-1488

Montreal Gazette, Saturday 10 Aug 1985, Page 53

 

What was the specification of these particular cars?

Tom Gilmour says: "Originally it [the Mark VI] was fitted with a solid rear axle although in the latter stages a DeDion rear axle and disc brakes were optional."
Small Torque, journal of the British Empire Motor Club, May 1958, Page 32. 

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 14 October 2023 - 05:38.

[69seven]

The Mark 6 crossed the Atlantic when Bill

Klinck, of Buffalo, New York, purchased an

MG-engined version which he soon put to

very good use on the track.

 

Capel wrote that the Klinck car was VI-26, originally imported by Gunnard Rubini, who purchased it direct from Lotus. This was fitted with an MG XPAG engine. No mention of the back axle.

 

Robert and Barbara Samm, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, #88, are here at Cumberland, 17 May 1959:

https://www.racingsp...-05-17a-088.jpg

Note clamshell front wings. Was it G or H Mod?

Also #88 at Dunkirk, New York, 30 May 1959, car listed as "Lotus RD", H Mod.

Robert Samm ran Lawrenceville, Illinois, S.C.C.A., #8 Lotus H Mod, Sunday 7 August 1960, 2nd in class. Possibly a Lotus 7?

 

Looks like a S1 Seven - nose, no raised binnacle on scuttle, wishbone front suspension.

 

The Tom Gilmour VI had a MG engine, but presumably a live axle. Tom also purchased a IX, the ex Earls Court Motor show car. Graham Capel stated that there were three Lotus VI chassis built by Lotus featuring the Mark IX de Dion rear suspension, all of these had Coventry Climax engines originally, and that Ted Lewis built one from a modified Lotus VI using parts from a Lotus IX (again using a Coventry Climax engine). Another car, TKO 9, has a de Dion rear suspension, that was constructed using parts from Leonard A. Schofield to convert the Ford live axle. This car also had a Coventry Climax engine.

 

Graham Capel's book on the Lotus VI is still available, he sells them direct.

Edited by 69seven, 15 October 2023 - 07:48.

[Rupertlt1]

LOTUS

MK. VI LOTUS, 1100 Ford with Whatmough

overhead inlet head, high-lift cam, polished

balanced crank, close-ratio gears, 4.7 axle, hood,

windscreen, etc. Four new Dunlop racing covers.

—Manwaring, Great Buckhurst, Sedlescombe,

Sussex.

Autosport, 10 June 1955, Page 741

 

#2 Richard Manwaring at Goodwood, 26 March 1955.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 October 2023 - 20:25.