Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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Constructor | Team Lotus | ||||||||||
Designer(s) | Colin Chapman (Technical Director) Maurice Philippe (Chief Designer) | ||||||||||
Predecessor | 49 | ||||||||||
Successor | 72 | ||||||||||
Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||||
Chassis | Aluminium monocoque. | ||||||||||
Axle track | 59 in (1,499 mm) | ||||||||||
Wheelbase | 98 in (2,489 mm) | ||||||||||
Engine | Ford Cosworth DFV 2,995 cc (183 cu in) V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted. | ||||||||||
Transmission | Hewland-Lotus 5-speed manual gearbox. Four-wheel drive. | ||||||||||
Weight | 600 kg (1,323 lb) | ||||||||||
Fuel | Shell | ||||||||||
Tyres | Firestone | ||||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||||
Notable entrants | Gold Leaf Team Lotus Ecurie Bonnier | ||||||||||
Notable drivers | John Miles Mario Andretti Jo Bonnier | ||||||||||
Debut | 1969 French Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only. |
The Lotus 63 was an experimental Formula One car using four-wheel drive, designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe for the 1969 season. Chapman's reasoning behind the car was that the 3 litre engines introduced in 1966 would be better served by building a car that could take full advantage of its power while retaining the Lotus 49's simplicity.