The Lotus Type 38 was a groundbreaking race car built by Lotus Cars specifically for the Indianapolis 500. Designed by Colin Chapman, Len Terry, and the Lotus team, it debuted in 1965 and is best known for being the first rear-engined car to win the Indy 500 outright.
The Lotus association with the Indianapolis 500 dates back to 1963 following a conversation between Colin Chapman and Dan Gurney. The Lotus founder was convinced by the American racer to participate because he believed no one had yet proved that a lightweight mid-engined race car could compete with the traditional front-engined Indy monsters and take home the prize money – a very substantial $150,000.
The Lotus Type 29 entered that year’s race and Jim Clark proved what was possible, finishing second with Gurney seventh. In 1964 Clark put the Type 34 on pole position, but on lap 40 crashed after tyre failure.
Chapman was back again in 1965 with the new Type 38. The car was an evolution of the previous Indy racers – longer, wider, and with a Ford V8 that burned alcohol rather than regular fuel. The importance Chapman placed on Indy success was obvious, choosing not to compete in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix in favour of a third trip to ‘The Brickyard’. It was worth the effort, and Lotus cars took the first five places on the grid. Clark and Gurney occupied the front row, each in a Type 38.
Clark led for all but the first nine laps and was roared over the line to a standing ovation by the 350,000-strong crowd. His average speed was a fraction over 150mph, a new record for the race.
Winning the Indy500 was merely one part of an astonishing year for Clark and Lotus. Despite missing Monaco the Scot won his second F1 title, the Tasman Cup, the French F2 Championship, plus numerous saloon and sports car races.
The significance of Chapman’s trans-Atlantic trips to the Indy shouldn’t be underestimated. When Clark completed again in 1967, also in a Type 38, many of his rivals had copied the Lotus approach and his advantage was nullified. Ultimately his race ended with mechanical issues.
| NAME | Lotus Type 38 |
| YEAR OF PRODUCTION | 1965-66 |
| VOLUME | 10 |
| ENGINE | Ford quad-cam V8 |
| POWER OUTPUT | 500 bhp |
| TRANSMISSION | ZF 2DS20 |
| WEIGHT | 612 kg |
Highlights:
- Designer: Len Terry and Colin Chapman
- Year: 1965
- Race: Indianapolis 500
- Driver: Jim Clark
- Victory: Clark won the 1965 Indy 500 in dominant fashion, leading 190 of 200 laps
- Engine: Ford V8, DOHC, 4.2 L (based on the Ford Fairlane block)
- Chassis: Aluminum monocoque (a rarity at Indy at the time)
- Transmission: ZF 2DS-20 2-speed gearbox
- Suspension: Inboard front coil springs and rear outboard
- Wheels: 15-inch magnesium wheels with Firestone tires
Significance:
- The Type 38’s rear-engine layout revolutionized American oval racing, effectively rendering front-engine roadsters obsolete.
- It introduced F1 technology and philosophy to the U.S. racing scene.
- Jim Clark’s victory was a watershed moment in motorsport history, especially since he’d come close in 1963 and 1964.
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