4th Dec, 2002 0:00
The Pavilion Gardens
N/A Lotus 88 F1 Wind Tunnel Model
Estimated at £4,000 - £5,000
Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: N/A
When sliding skirts were banned, the brilliant design dept. of Team Lotus came up with the two chassis concept. Despite being disqualified during qualifying in the early season American GP's, Chapman managed to persuade the US Racing authorities to approve the car. There was uproar from all his rivals who protested and their appeal was heard at the FiSA in Paris in April 1981.
As well as using Richard Nixons lawyer to help in his defense, Chapman built this working model of the Lotus 86 / 88, so the story goes, put it in a suitcase, and went off to Paris to prove its legality. As history
records, he failed. The F1 season was well under way, rival teams had not the time nor the finance to copy Lotus and try to catch up. The other teams had their way.
Possibly the most important wind tunnel model ever, used in the most controversial motor sport court in recent years, demonstrates the principle of the twin-chassis car which was Chapman's last great idea (and the last ever truly radical development in F1) and was banned immediately since all the other teams were frightened. The real car was also the first carbon tub Lotus (one of the 1st carbon tub cars only beaten by the McLaren by a couple of weeks).
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: N/A
When sliding skirts were banned, the brilliant design dept. of Team Lotus came up with the two chassis concept. Despite being disqualified during qualifying in the early season American GP's, Chapman managed to persuade the US Racing authorities to approve the car. There was uproar from all his rivals who protested and their appeal was heard at the FiSA in Paris in April 1981.
As well as using Richard Nixons lawyer to help in his defense, Chapman built this working model of the Lotus 86 / 88, so the story goes, put it in a suitcase, and went off to Paris to prove its legality. As history
records, he failed. The F1 season was well under way, rival teams had not the time nor the finance to copy Lotus and try to catch up. The other teams had their way.
Possibly the most important wind tunnel model ever, used in the most controversial motor sport court in recent years, demonstrates the principle of the twin-chassis car which was Chapman's last great idea (and the last ever truly radical development in F1) and was banned immediately since all the other teams were frightened. The real car was also the first carbon tub Lotus (one of the 1st carbon tub cars only beaten by the McLaren by a couple of weeks).
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 4th Dec, 2002
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:
Do you have an item to sell?
If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035
Other lots in this sale
