Motor said “An impression of the finished car which we hope will prove clairvoyant.”
Lotus 30 Series 1 SPECIFICATIONS
Details reprinted from article “Lotus 30”, Motor, 22 Jan. 1964
ENGINE – Modified Ford V8
Cylinders – V8 with 5-bearing crankshaft
Bore and stroke – 101.6 mm. X 72.9 mm. (4 in. X 2.87 in.)
Cubic capacity – 4,727 cc (289 cu in.)
Piston area – 100.5 sq. in.
Compression ratio – 11:1
Valvegear – Push rod o.h.v.
Carburation – 4 Weber 48 IDM twin choke down-draught carburetters, fed by 3 Bendix
electric fuel pumps from 31½-gallon tanks
Ignition – 12-volt coil, centrifugal timing control
Lubrication – Full flow filter and 3 to 4 gal. dry sump Cooling .. Water cooling with pump but no fan or thermostat
Maximum power – 350 b.h.p. at 6,500 r.p.m,
Maximum torque – 320 lb./ft.
TRANSMISSION
Clutch – Laycock 8½ in. twin plate diaphragm type with hydraulic operation
Gearbox – 5-speed type 5D5 20 ZF gearbox with synchromesh on all ratios
Internal gearbox ratios 1.00, 1.172, 1.43, 1.765, and 2.50
Final drive – Spiral bevel in unit with gearbox.
Differential – Limited slip.
Alternative ratios – 3.0, 3.22, 3.40, 3.56, 3.78, 4.00
CHASSIS
Brakes – Girling disc with BR calipers
Brake dimensions – Front and rear, 11 in. dia.
Front suspension – 2 transverse wishbones with Armstrong coil spring/damper units and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension – Double wishbones, Armstrong coil spring/damper units and anti-roll bar
Wheel and tyres – Cast magnesium alloy knock-on wheels with 7 in. front rims and 8½ rear rims;
Tyres – 6.00×13 front 7.00×13 rear
Steering – Alford and Alder rack and pinion
DIMENSIONS
Length overall 13 ft. 9 in.; Wheelbase 7ft. 10½ in.
Width overall 5 ft. 8 in.; Track 4 ft. 5 in. at front and rear
Height –
Top of screen – 26 in.
Rear wheel humps – 31 in.;
Ground clearance – 4½ in.
Crash bar (if fitted) – 36 in.
Turning circle – 32 ft.
Kerb weight – Approx. 15 cwt, (without fuel but with oil, water, tools, spare wheel, etc.) (1680 lbs, 764 kg)
Details reprinted from article “Lotus 30”, Motor, 22 Jan. 1964
Lotus 30 Series 2 SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications include all the previous Lotus 30 Series 1 specifications including the following upgrades:
Entirely revised chassis “is now produced from a heavier gauge metal with modifications to the basic structure too numerous to mention” [1]Nye, Doug, Beautiful Miscalculation, Old Motor, Oct. 1981, p. 40-41.
Rear bridge section constructed with removable center section to aid in maintenance of engine and transmission
Radiators connected in parallel instead of series as in S1 cars
Water pump impeller diameter better matched to engine/radiator layout/flow
Body has 3 openings on the nose to increase air flow into the radiators
Pendant pedals
Exposed master cylinder
15 inch wheels
Dash board includes binnacle over steering wheel
Lotus 40 SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications include all the previous Lotus 30 Series 2 specifications including the following upgrades:
Stronger Frame
5.8 Liter Ford V8 engine
Hewland LG500 transaxle
Dash raised for better driver ingress/egress
Ventilated brake discs for better heat dissipation
Larger Rear Brake Lights, without a chrome ring
No front turn indicators
John Blundsen discussed the upgrades in “Technical Report: Lotus 40,” which appeared in the Nov. 1965 issue of Sports Car Graphic.
Colin Chapman Archives
The Colin Chapman Archives has a lengthy discussion on the specifications and design history of the Lotus 30 and 40.
Last Updated on March 1, 2021 by Kirk Keyes
References