The Lotus 64 was a

four-wheel drive Four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case ...

racing car built by

Lotus Lotus may refer to: Plants *Lotus (plant), various botanical taxa commonly known as lotus, particularly: ** ''Lotus'' (genus), a genus of terrestrial plants in the family Fabaceae **Lotus flower, a symbolically important aquatic Asian plant also ...

for the

1969 Indianapolis 500 The 53rd International 500 Mile Sweepstakes was an auto race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Friday, May 30, 1969. It was the third round of the 1969 USAC Championship Car season. Polesitter A. J. Foyt led the race ...

. After the Lotus 29, Lotus 34, Lotus 38 and Lotus 56, The 64 was the fifth and final race car Colin Chapman built for USAC category racing. The United States Automobile Club had decided in the spring of 1969 that turbines and

would be banned in the USAC racing series. Because the 56 had a gas turbine, Lotus decided to build a new car. The project was funded by Ford who supplied a V8

turbo engine In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pro ...

, and by STP. Andy Granatelli,

Chief Executive Officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

of STP and the racing team owner, had arranged the deal. Of the three 64s built, Mario Andretti would drive the STP car,

Graham Hill Norman Graham Hill (15 February 1929 – 29 November 1975) was a British racing driver and team owner, who was the Formula One World Champion twice, winning in and as well as being runner up on three occasions (1963, 1964 and 1965). Despite ...

and Jochen Rindt the two factory cars that were painted in the colours of the sponsor. Maurice Philippe carried over as much as possible from the Lotus 56 to the 64. The long monocoque and the suspension was used in the new car. The biggest difference was the engine. Because the 2.6-litre turbocharged Ford engine contributed more than 700 horsepower, a new gearbox was developed. All three cars took part in practice, but Andretti had a serious accident and destroyed his 64 completely. The accident was triggered by an overheated wheel hub. Since this overheating also occurred in the two factory cars, the vehicles were withdrawn, despite setting fast practice times. The cars were shipped to England and never used in a race. Almost forty years after their construction, a restored Lotus 64 appeared at the

Goodwood Festival of Speed The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual motorsports festival featuring modern and historic motor racing vehicles taking part in a hillclimbing, hill climb and other events, held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England, in l ...

In 2008.

References

{{Lotus American Championship racing cars 64