THE ENGINEERING

LOTUS TYPE 12 INNOVATIONS: CHAPMAN STRUT & SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX

The Lotus Type 12 engineering gained fame for 4 innovations:

The Chapman Strut

The 12 started out with a de Dion rear suspension, similar to the Lotus Eleven. Experience soon revealed though that the handling was affected by the changing load of the rear-mounted fuel tank.

Colin Chapman introduced a new suspension configuration which came to be known as the ‘Chapman Strut suspension’. Characterised by its simplicity, the suspension only needed the minimum number of struts. Furthermore, it allowed each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others.

This arrangement benefited both un-sprung and overall weight and reduced to a minimum the camber changes caused by fuel loading — resulting in predictable handling at speed.

An innovation for generations

At the front end was a double wishbone set-up with the top wishbone doubling as an anti-roll bar, plus coil-spring/damper units. A set-up that became the characteristic Lotus independent front end for a whole generation of Lotus race and road cars.

The wobbly-web wheels

Type 12 was the first Lotus to be fitted with the iconic Lotus wobbly-web wheels. Reflecting Chapman's emphasis on engineering for lightness, a different type of wheel was chosen. They decided on bolt-on (instead of knock-on) magnesium alloy disc wheels. The goal was to have minimum material and maximum strength, so a web pattern was devised.

5-speed sequential gearbox

The 5-speed sequential gearbox, brilliantly located in the back of Type 12, was designed by Richard Ansdale and Harry Mundy. The propshaft was set so low that it passed under the driver’s seat.

THE RACING YEARS

LOTUS TYPE 12 IN THE EARLY F1 SEASONS

The Lotus Type 12 history begin with its Formula 1 debut at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. Since the planned Type 16 wasn’t ready in time the 12 was re-engineered to take a 1960cc engine (later 2207cc) and entered several Formula 1 races in the ‘58 and ‘59 season — with its final race in the British GP at Silverstone.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FIRST LOTUS F1 CAR RESULTS

The new Lotus F1 car showed itself to the crowds for the first time at Easter at Goodwood, in the hands of Team Lotus driver Cliff Allison, and performed well. It didn’t win any races that F1 season but scored points in 1958 with an excellent 4th place at the Belgium GP.

It was a promising start for Lotus in its first year in F1. One that laid the foundation for Team Lotus and soon proved to be the beginning of an adventure that would transform the sport.

THE DRIVERS

GRAHAM HILL AND CLIFF ALLISON IN THE LOTUS TYPE 12

The Type 12 marked Graham Hill’s Lotus debut, who raced together with Cliff Allison for Lotus at the Monaco GP. Allison did achieve a fantastic 6th place for Team Lotus’, but unfortunately back then this didn’t result in points. The 4th place at Belgium did deliver the first points, 3 in total.

Considering the fact that the Type 12 F1 car had its roots in F2, its performances in its 10 Grand Prix starts in 1958 were more than admirable.