Lotus 49
The first car built around the Cosworth DFV, which won on its debut and bolted the engine straight to the monocoque.
- Power
- 420 bhp
About the Lotus 49
Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe designed the 49 around Keith Duckworth's new Ford-financed Cosworth DFV V8, which served as a stressed member bolted to the monocoque at one end and to the suspension and gearbox at the other, a layout virtually all later Formula One cars followed. Jim Clark won on its debut at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix, though early unreliability cost Lotus the title that year. After Clark's death in 1968 Graham Hill won three Grands Prix and the championship, while the 49B introduced hub-mounted aerofoil wings until high wings were banned after several failures. The car won 12 Grands Prix in all, the last with Jochen Rindt at Monaco in 1970.
Lotus 49 specs
The Lotus 49 produces 420 bhp (313 kW).
| Make | Lotus |
|---|---|
| Model | 49 |
| Years | 1967–1970 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 12 built |
| Engine | 3.0L naturally aspirated V8 (Ford Cosworth DFV) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,998 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 420 bhp (313 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (Hewland-Lotus) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 501 kg (1,105 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 838 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Lotus 49 rarity in CarSpot
The Lotus 49 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Lotus 49 fun facts
- After his first run in it, Graham Hill's verdict was that it had 'some poke' and was 'not a bad old tool'.
- Jo Siffert's win in Rob Walker's 49B at the 1968 British Grand Prix was the last World Championship win by a car entered by a genuine privateer.
- Lotus became the first works team to race in a sponsor's colours when its 49s appeared in Gold Leaf red, cream and gold in 1968.
