Premium

Technology in race cars (43): Epilogue - The 42 most innovative race cars 1958-1981

Created on February 6, 2024

Text:

Gerhard Schütz

Photos:

Archiv: Gerhard Schütz

Archiv Gerhard Schütz

Ludvigsen Partners

Archiv: Gerhard Schütz

Archiv Gerhard Schütz

Ludvigsen Partners

Lotus 49 (1967) - The fast Scot Jim Clark won the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort in 1967

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 156 (1961) - tubular frame and chassis

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 25 (1962) - The first Formula 1 monocoque chassis

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mc Laren MP4/1 (1981) - Mc Laren MP4/1 front end in carbon fiber, internal springs

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 88 (1981) - The suspension of the second chassis

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 56 (1968) - internal brakes for lower unsprung masses. The calipers engage at the bottom to lower the center of gravity

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 72 (1970) - Half measures: Car without an engine in a rustic working environment at the Hockenheimring

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 312 (1969) - front spoiler center and side, rear spoiler (gurney flap)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Chaparral 2F (1967) - at the 1000 km race at Spa-Francorchamps

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 58 (1968) - without side boxes and with radiator in the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 78 (1977) - Clearly visible here is the so-called Mosquito radiator inlet, also used on the Type 79 (modeled on an aircraft type). The side tank restricts the scope for air flow

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Renault RS01 (1978) - Renault twin turbo in Formula 1

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Wide tires in contrast with the only 12 kg heavy body, which was so thin that the light could shine through

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 63 (1969) - The undisguised front end with drive shaft and idiosyncratic steering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Brabham BT46B (1978) - Banned vacuum cleaner

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus 72 (1970) - Jochen Rindt's last lap at Monza, shortly before the fatal accident. Front and rear wings are dismantled

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Honda RA 302 (1968) - The magnesium chassis led to the fatal fire accident in Rouen in 1968

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford P68 (1968) - Chris Irwing rolled over during training for the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring

You have only

1 out of 20

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The epilogue provides an overview of the enormous evolution of racing car technology between 1958 and 1981, divided into the nine most important areas. The great successes and dramatic setbacks from these 23 years characterize almost all current racing cars.

This article contains the following chapters

1. central engine
2. monocoque chassis
3. carbon technology
4. independent suspension
5. disk brakes
6. side radiators, rear radiator
7. downforce-oriented aerodynamics:
7.1 Spoiler
7.2 Wings
7.3 Wedge shape
7.4 Floor effect
8. turbo engine
9. wide tires
Added after 1981 were:

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The years 1958-1981 were the most creative in the history of racing technology. This series portrayed the most innovative, forward-looking and exotic designs of Formula 1, Indy cars, sports cars and Can-Am, and at the same time traced the major lines of development that still have an impact today. With the Lotus 88 (TIR 42) , our series "Technology in racing cars 1958-1981", which also began with a Lotus (Lotus 16, TiR 1) , has reached the home straight. For some readers, the series provided a reunion with unforgettable racing cars from their younger years, while others made new discoveries. The articles focused on the most advanced racing cars between 1958 and 1981, and it is no exaggeration to say that practically everything that has characterized a single or two-seater racing car since then has been developed in these 23 years. Here are the nine most important areas:

Welcome to Zwischengas!