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1958-1960 Lotus 15

Built to accept the lager 2-liter Coventry Climax engine, the Type 15 was basically an updated version of the 1.5-liter Type 11.

The bodywork for the car was designed by Colin Chapman to be especially low. Experts at Williams & Pritchard manufactured the body which was only 24 inches high.

At the rear a new type of suspension was fitted from the Lotus 12 single-seat race car which used a Chapman Strut.

The car contested some of the greatest races like the 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans. With Graham Hill and Cliff Allison at the wheel, the car retired only three laps into the event.

Related: Lotus Race Car List / Lotus Current Lineup / All Lotus Models / Lotus News

1958→1960 Lotus 15

Specs & Performance

submitted by Richard Owen
type Racing Car
production years 1958 – 1960
built at England
body stylist Colin Chapman
coachbuilder Williams & Pritchard
production 27
predecessor 1956 Lotus 11
successor 1959 Lotus 17
engine Coventry Climax Straight 4
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration 2 Weber Carburetors
valvetrain DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
displacement 1965 cc / 119.91 in³
bore 86.4 mm / 3.4 in
stroke 83.8 mm / 3.3 in
compression 12.4:1
power 104.4 kw / 140 bhp
specific output 71.25 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 311.11 bhp per tonne
body / frame Aluminum Body over Tubular Steel Spaceframe
front brakes Discs
rear brakes Inboard Discs
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil-over-Dampers
r suspension Chapman Struts w/Trailing Arms, Coil-over-Dampers
curb weight 450 kg / 992 lbs
wheelbase 2235 mm / 88.0 in
front track 1194 mm / 47.0 in
rear track 1219 mm / 48.0 in
length 3580 mm / 140.9 in
width 1524 mm / 60.0 in
height 610 mm / 24.0 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
top speed ~225.3 kph / 140 mph