LOTUS 38: THE STAR OF GOODWOOD FOS 2010

One of the highlights of Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010 had to be the historic Indy 500 winning Lotus-Ford 38/1. The car's victory in 1965, with Jim Clark at the wheel, was the first ever by a rear-engine chassis.

In 1965 Team Lotus brought in the legendary Wood Brothers from NASCAR to speed up its pit work at Indianapolis. The Lotus 38 that they assisted to Victory Lane languished in the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village for decades before being returned to the UK to be restored by Classic Team Lotus. It was driven in public, for the first time since its win, at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Thanks to Ian Wagstaff (author of forthcoming Veloce book The British at Indianapolis) for these pictures.

'38/1' driven by Charles March
Clive Chapman being interviewed by the car
Present to see ‘38/1’ for the first time since May 1965 were two of the Wood brothers, Leonard (left) and Delano.

Coming soon! The British at Indianapolis by Ian Wagstaff
A history of the British influence on the Indianapolis 500, including not only the drivers and cars, but the many others – mechanics, designers, and officials – who have been involved. The story is set out in a series of stand-alone chapters, with a wide variety of informative sidebars, and goes back 100 years to the early days of the race, through the British-led, rear-engined revolution of the 1960s to the present day. More info.