LOTUS 16 1958 CLIFF ALLISON#12 by Cartrix (CRX0955)

In an incredible short period Colin Chapman's Lotus company had evolved from a kitcar builder to a very serious racing car manufacturer. The Lotus 16 was Chapman's second single seater and his first designed for F1 Grand Prix racing, it certainly added to Chapman's reputation for producing fast, light and innovative racing cars.

Its ultra low body was designed around a tubular frame and featured all round independent suspension. The Coventry Climax 4 cylinder engine was canted to one side at over 60 degrees and this allowed the 16 to be remarkably low, small and light for a front engine 2.5 litre Grand Prix racing car. The Lotus 16 was introduced in the middle of the 1958 season in hands of British drivers Cliff Allison, Alan Stacey, Innes Ireland and Graham Hill, the latter became a legendary F1 racing driver who would give Lotus many victories, including the F1 World Championship.

On its debut at the French GP at Reims 1958, the engine suffered some lubrication problems and power loss due to 60º inclination. For the following race, the German GP at the Nurburgring, the problem was solved and Cliff Allison was holding onto a second place finish until he was forced to abandon after a ruptured radiator. But even though the 16 showed promise, Chapman was forced to concede in 1959 to the efficiency of the new Cooper and BRM rear engine cars, and GP victories did not arrive for the Lotus 16. This was not a proper reflection of the cars capabilities and its outright speed showed that Lotus was on the right track. In 1960 it was replaced by the rear mounted Climax engined Lotus18.

For the following 20 years Lotus was the dominant force in Grand Prix racing. It won the Constructor's title 7 times with 79 World Championship races including the Indianapolis 500, far more than any other constructor in this period.

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