Lotus 19
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| Lotus 19 | |
| Manufacturer: | Lotus Cars |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1960-1962 |
| Predecessor: | Lotus 18 |
| Class: | Sports Racer |
| Body style: | Fiberglass Space frame |
| Engine: | 2496 cc Coventry Climax 289 ci Ford |
| Wheelbase: | 95 inches |
| Length: | 141 inches |
| Width: | 60.5 inches |
| Height: | 31 inches |
| Curb weight: | 1000 pounds to 1240 pounds (kerb) |
The Lotus 19 or Monte Carlo was a racing car designed by Colin Chapman of Lotus and built from 1960 until 1962. The 19 was a widened version of the successful Lotus 18 Formula 1 car and was the first Lotus with a mid-engine and was physically capable of carrying two people while almost never outfitted to do so. Dan Gurney and Jim Clark, among others, popularized American V8 versions, referred to as the Lotus 19B. The 19B's wins greatly contributed to the idea of mating a light-weight British chassis to an American V8, an idea made most famous by the AC Cobra.
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[edit] The Lotus 19
The 19 was a mid-engine rear wheel drive sports racer with a fiberglass body over a tube frame based on the principals of the successful Lotus 18 and was originally fitted with a 2496 cc Coventry Climax engine. The cars body was similar in appearance to both the Lotus Eleven and the Lotus 23 while having the engine behind the driver.
Colin Chapman named the car the "Monte Carlo" to honor "Stirling Moss" for his win at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix. This choice is said to mimic a decision by the Cooper car company to name the Cooper Monaco after a win with their Formula 1 car at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix.
[edit] The 19B
On February 11, 1962, Dan Gurney won the first race of the 1962 World Sportscar Championship, the Daytona Continental (predecessor to the Rolex 24 at Daytona), in a Lotus 19 fitted with a Ford V8. Some say Gurney's success behind the wheel of the Lotus 19-Ford V8 conversion led Carroll Shelby to have Dan Gurney drive the similar concept, AC Cobra, which was prototyped in April 1962, to its first victory in 1963.
Various other owners experimented with similar conversion to American V8 motors. Jerry Grant powered his Lotus 19 an aluminum Buick V8 and in 1964 Dan Gurney had another Lotus 19 built with a King Cobra Ford 289 engine.
[edit] Chassis Numbers
There were 17 original Lotus 19 cars built however many were wrecked and some were completely rebuilt. More cars are reported today than were built.
| Chassis | Original Owner | Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 950 | British Racing Partnership | 2.5 Climax |
| 951 | Arceiro Brothers | 2.5 Climax |
| 952 | British Racing Partnership | 2.5 Climax |
| 953 | British Racing Partnership | 2.5 Climax |
| 954 | Frank Harrison | 2.5 Climax |
| 955 | Jack Nethercutt | Unknown |
| 956 | Charles Vogele | 2.5 Climax changed to 2.0 Climax for Hillclimbs |
| 957 | Tom Carstens | Empty - 3.5 Buick fitted changed to Chevy V8 |
| 958 | Roy Schecter | 2.5 Climax |
| 959 | Peter Ryan | 2.5 Climax Engine |
| 960 | Robert Publicker | 1.5 Climax |
| 961 | Dr Harry Zweifel | 2.0 Climax for Hillclimbs |
| 962 | Rod Carveth | Empty - 3.5 Buick fitted |
| 963 | Henry Olds/Bob Columbosian | Empty - 3.5 Buick fitted |
| 964 | John Coundley | 2.5 Climax |
| 965 | Mecom Racing Team | empty - 2.0 Climax fitted changed to 3.5 Buick |
| 966 | Dan Gurney | 289 Ford |
[edit] External links
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