The Lost Lotus Can-Am: Type 66 Rediscovered
The automotive world recently witnessed the unveiling of a remarkable piece of motorsport history – the Lotus Type 66, a £1 million track-focused machine that almost competed in the 1970 Can-Am series. This vehicle represents a fascinating "what if" moment in Lotus’s racing heritage, bridging a 50-year gap between concept and reality.
Origins and Development
The story of the Type 66 begins in 1969, when Colin Chapman faced mounting pressure from the American market to enter the Can-Am championship. The project’s key elements included:
- Assignment to draughtsman Geoff Ferris for design
- Technical drawings completed for 1970 season entry
- Project shelved due to Formula One commitments
- Original plans rediscovered by Clive Chapman
Historical Context
"The Type 66 drawings were filed away and not thought about until Clive Chapman happened to find them while looking for something else."
The late 1960s presented a crucial period for Lotus, characterized by:
- Strong Formula One presence
- Growing American market demands
- Resource allocation challenges
- Competition in multiple racing series
Technical Specifications and Timeline
| Year | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Initial Design | Technical drawings completed |
| 1970 | Planned Entry | Original intended race season |
| 2023 | Public Debut | 81st Members’ Meeting presentation |
Modern Resurrection
The Type 66’s public debut at the 81st Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport marked a significant moment in motorsport history. The car’s presentation alongside period Can-Am vehicles created:
- Historical context for modern viewers
- Direct comparison with contemporary competitors
- Visualization of Lotus’s alternative racing path
- Understanding of period engineering approaches
"We had a strong feeling of ‘what could have been?’"
The modern incarnation of the Type 66 represents more than just a historical curiosity – it’s a tangible link to an unexplored chapter in Lotus’s racing legacy. Its £1 million valuation reflects both its historical significance and its potential performance capabilities, had it competed in period.
Historical Impact
The Type 66 project demonstrates several key aspects of Lotus’s history:
- Strategic business decisions in motorsport
- Balance between different racing championships
- American market influence on British manufacturers
- Preservation of automotive heritage
The rediscovery and subsequent construction of the Type 66 provide a unique window into Lotus’s design philosophy during a pivotal era in motorsport history, when Can-Am racing represented the pinnacle of automotive performance and engineering innovation.
