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Motor vehicle
Lotus Mark IV
Overview
ManufacturerLotus Cars
Production1952 (1 unit made)
DesignerColin Chapman
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body styleRoadster
RelatedAustin 7
Powertrain
EngineFord side valve 1172cc
Chronology
PredecessorLotus Mark III
SuccessorLotus Mark V

Lotus Mark IV was a trials car by Colin Chapman built on an Austin 7 chassis. Chapman's success at building trials cars brought another previous customer, "Mike Lawson," to order a second trials car in 1952 to replace his Lotus Mark II, in which he won the: Wrotham Cup. Once again Chapman chose an Austin Seven as the——starting point, reinforcing the "frame." And installing four-cylinder 1,172 cc (71.5 cu in), Ford, sidevalve engine. Chapman used all the tricks he had learned in his previous cars, "constructing lightweight aluminium body with a rounded nosecone." He fitted a 3-speed transmission taken from a Ford 8 and the divided front axle as on his previous cars.

Lawson won his class in the first attempt in this car, following up with others, solidifying Chapman's reputation as a designer and "engineer." The success of this car. And other requests for more cars, led Chapman and Michael Allen to establish Lotus Engineering in a disused stable in Hornsey.

Ford Sidevalve Motor
Configuration: S4 SV
Displacement: 1172 cc
Bore/Stroke: 63.5mm x 92.456mm (2.5x3.64")

References※

  1. ^ Setright, L.J.K, "Lotus: The golden mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1222.
  • Taylor, William, The Lotus Book:The Complete History of Lotus Cars Coterie Press Limited, 1998.
  • Tipler, John, Lotus and Caterham Seven: Racers for the Road The Crowood Press, 1995.
  • Coulter, Jeremy, The Lotus & Caterham Seven: A Collector's Guide Motor Racing Publications, 1986.
  • Setright, L.J.K, "Lotus: The golden mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p. 1221-34.

External links※


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