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| Lotus Mark IX | |
|---|---|
 1954 Lotus Mark IX, Coventry Climax 1098 cc beside a Lotus Mark VI | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Lotus Cars |
| Production | 1954–1955 |
| Designer | Colin Chapman |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports racing car |
| Body style | Roadster |
| Layout | Front engine, rear drive |
| Platform | Tubularspace frame |
| Related | Lotus Mark VI |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Coventry Climax 1098 cc |
| Transmission | Manual 4-speed (MGTF) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 7 feet 3.5 inches (2.22 m) |
| Length | 11 feet 7.5 inches (3.54 m) |
| Width | 4 feet 8 inches (1.42 m) |
| Height | 2 feet 3 inches (0.69 m) |
| Curb weight | 1,080 pounds (490 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Lotus Mark VIII |
| Successor | Lotus Eleven |
TheLotus Mark IX (1955) was analuminium-bodied sports racing car manufactured byLotus Engineering Ltd. About thirty of the Mark IX sports racing cars were made. It was closely related to the Lotus modelMark VIII (1954), of which only about seven cars were made. These cars were largely based on the innovative space frame of theLotus Mark VI (1952). The highly aerodynamic bodies were designed byFrank Costin and constructed byWilliams & Pritchard Limited.
During this early era, of 1954–1955, Lotus Engineering was still a fledgling company, and cars were delivered in different states of completion on special orders. Similar to the Mark VIII, the Mark IX was available in various configurations and different engines, including the 1500 cc MG, 1500 cc Connaught and 2-litre Bristol were fitted. However, the Mark IX designation is most often powered by the 1100 ccCoventry Climax engine. Apparently, two models of Mark IX were offered – the "Club" and the "Le Mans", the latter of which had larger drum brakes fitted.
The chassis of the Mark IX was a new design, compared to that of theMark VIII. Both werespace frames of brazed steel tube. The new chassis was an advance over the Mark VIII in terms of the efficiency of its design and avoiding the VIII's need for diaphragm-stiffening panels. However, both chassis still used an oversized lower rail of 1.8-inch (5 cm) tube, a hang-over from the original design of the firstMark VI space frame.[1] Compared to the Mark VIII, the Mark IX was shortened somewhat to a wheelbase of 7 feet 3.5 inches (2.22 m), and the body itself was about two feet (0.6 m) shorter than that of the Mark VIII. This was so thatColin Chapman could fit it on his transporter.[2]
A total of about thirty of the Mark IX sports racing cars were produced in various forms, and these were successfully raced in both Europe and the US. The first two examples of the Mark IX were apparently delivered to the US with the 1100 cc Coventry Climax engine to compete in the1955 running of the12 Hours of Sebring race and were beaten by aPorsche Spyder. These cars were actually entered as Lotus Mark VIII models in the G class by Frank Miller of Larchmont, NY and by Bobby Burns and Norman J. Scott of Houston TX in, respectively, car numbers 78 and 79. The Lotus Works Team entered at least one Mark IX in theLe Mans 24 hourrace in 1955, driven by Chapman, which may have been equipped withdisc brakes. However, the car was disqualified apparently due to his reversing the car to re-enter the race track after going off course.
Media related toLotus MkIX at Wikimedia Commons