Lotus reveals ‘lost’ Type 66 at Monterey

Lotus has brought history back to life with the world premiere of the Type 66, originally designed as a potential Can-Am racer. The new/old Lotus is set for a limited production run as a track day car.

The unique project was unveiled at “The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering” as part of Monterey Car Week ahead of this weekend’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Truly exotic in its design execution, the Type 66 is a new, ultra-exclusive, low-volume car that brings to life a “lost Lotus” drawing board program from the brand’s world-renowned motorsport heritage, combining it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components. The Type 66 has been launched in Lotus’ 75th anniversary year as part of the brand’s desire to re-imagine the best elements of its heritage in a modern and exhilarating way.

With his eyes on the high-profile and commercially lucrative Can-Am Series, Lotus founder Colin Chapman tasked Team Lotus draughtsman Geoff Ferris to launch the Type 66 project to evaluate how Lotus design principles could be applied to this category. Chapman’s primary focus on Formula 1 meant the innovative project never went beyond technical drawings and scale models. In a fitting tribute to the brand’s illustrious racing pedigree and heritage, Lotus has now fulfilled the original vision 53 years after the designer first put pen to paper.

Only 10 examples of this “rediscovered and re-imagined” Lotus will be built. It’s a total selected to commemorate the number of races the Type 66 would have competed in during the 1970 season.

The car made its public debut in a heritage-inspired livery — reflecting the red, white and gold colors Lotus raced in during the early 1970s — and which could have adorned the Type 66, alongside the all-conquering Lotus Type 72 F1 car.

The Type 66 is one of the most exclusive projects Lotus has ever undertaken and each example will cost in excess of £1 million ($1.24m).

“The Type 66 perfectly blends the past and present. It takes drivers back in time, to the iconic design, sound and pure theatre of motorsport more than 50 years ago, with added 21st century performance and safety,” said Simon Lane, Executive Director, Lotus Advanced Performance. “This is a truly unique project and in our 75th anniversary year it’s the perfect gift from Lotus to fans worldwide and to a handful of customers.

“While the visual expression is strikingly similar to what could have been — including the period-correct white, red and gold graphics — the technology and mechanical underpinnings of the Lotus Type 66 represent the very best in today’s advanced racing performance.”

Crucial to the development of the Type 66 program has been Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Colin Chapman. It was the documents held by Clive which allowed the Lotus design team to bring the car to life.

“The car would have shared many innovative features with our most successful F1 chassis, the Lotus Type 72, which was developed during the same era,” he said. “These include side-mounted radiators which helped reduce front drag, increase front downforce and channel airflow through and over the car. The rear of the car incorporates a distinctive tail section, resembling the Le Mans endurance cars of the period. These features would have boosted its downforce considerably, compared to rivals, aiding high-speed stability and ultimately its lap times. It would have been spectacular, as is the actual Type 66 we see today.”

Clive said it’s highly likely that Lotus F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi would have driven the Type 66 if it had been built. The Brazilian was guest of honor on the Lotus stand at The Quail and helped to unveil the car.