The recently restored Lotus-Ford 38/1, owned by The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, will make its North American premiere at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The Lotus-Ford, one of the most significant vehicles in American racing history, will be on display for the first time in the United States since its restoration. A special unveiling will take place on Friday, August 13 at 9:00 a.m. at Club XIX at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Edsel B. Ford II, Christian Overland, Vice President of The Henry Ford, and legendary drivers Bobby Unser and Dan Gurney will be on hand to reveal the Lotus.
This exclusive, invite-only event will also feature the unveiling of the 100th anniversary logo of the Indianapolis 500, introduced by Bobby Unser and Johnny Rutherford, both three-time Indianapolis 500 winners. Bobby Unser will unveil the logo at Club XIX and simultaneously, Johnny Rutherford will reveal the logo on-site at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Returning from the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it made its first operable drive since 1965, with drivers Sir Jackie Stewart and Lord March, the Lotus-Ford will be on display at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 15 with other significant race cars from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
In 1965, the Lotus-Ford, driven by Scottish-born formula-one star Jimmy Clark, won the Indianapolis 500. The Henry Ford acquired the car in 1977 and in 2009, the Ford engine was removed from the vehicle and shipped to Indianapolis, where conservation work began at Race Car Restorations, Inc. The chassis was restored by Classic Team Lotus run by Clive Chapman, son of Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus.
The creation of the Lotus-Ford stands as an excellent example of innovation and collaboration. Lotus and Ford Motor Company were ultimately brought together in the early 1960s by legendary American road-racer Dan Gurney. At that time, Gurney thought that the sleek, front-engine American Indianapolis race cars could be defeated by proper application of rear-engine, European formula-one technology. He introduced Ford engineers to Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus and one of the world’s most innovative race car builders. The result was a lightweight, aircraft-inspired Lotus chassis, with four-wheel independent suspension and powerful rear-mounted Ford V8 engine. The Lotus-Ford effectively killed the traditional Indy car and established a new paradigm for American race cars.
That monumental race in 1965 also marked the birth of the modern pit stop as Ford Motor Company brought in the Wood Brothers from NASCAR to crew the race. Another partnership was with Firestone Tire, who made a tire to match the Lotus-Ford’s low profile chassis. The tire was specifically for the Lotus-Ford, for that Indy 500 and that particular race track.
The Lotus will be a key component of Racing in America, an American racing exhibition for permanent display in Henry Ford Museum, part of The Henry Ford. This exhibition will cover all forms of American auto racing through the lens of innovation, powered by highly interactive displays and frontier-stretching technologies. Racing in America will bring auto racing to life with history’s greatest and most significant vehicles, the personal stories and collections from the most legendary leaders and drivers in the industry, as well as on-site demonstrations of today’s technological advancements. More information can be found at www.RacingInAmerica.com.
About The Henry Ford: The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, is the world’s premier history destination that celebrates American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate more than 1.6 million visitors annually: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre. The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates 485 students a year on the institution’s campus and was founded in partnership with The Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company and Wayne County Public Schools.
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-4088
www.thehenryford.org
