[Anthony B]

The Lotus 38 was the first rear-engined car to win the Indianapolia 500 in 1965, driven by Jim Clark It was run by lotus at Indianapolis from 1965 to 1967; a total of 8 were built, most for use by Lotus, but several were sold for use by other drivers, including A J Foyt and Mario Andretti.

The Lotus 38 was designed by Colin Chapman and len Terry as Lotus' 1965 entry for the Indianapolis 500. It was an evolution of the previous Lotus 29 and lotus 34 Indy designs, but this time with a full monocoque tub chassis; it was powered by the same four-cam  Fod V8 fuel injected engine as used in the 34, giving out around 500 bhp. In all of them, the engine was mid-mounted, improving the weight distribution and giving it good handling. The 38 was significantly larger than any F1 cars of  the time, but was dwarfed by the massive American  front engined roadsters.

The 38 was specially designed with an "offset" suspension, with the car body situated asymmetrically between the wheels, offset to the left using suspension arms of unequal length. Although in theory this was better suited for the ovals (which have only left turns), for example by evening out tyre wear between the two sides, in practice the handling was sufficiently idiosyncratic that the concept never caught on widely and was dropped even by Lotus after its win in 1965.

Some versions of the 38 that raced:

   


       

I have built 2 versions of this car - Both with Jim Clark in them - the winner from 1965 and the car he drove to second in 66.

Monogram 1/24th 1965 winner:



       

       

Strombecker 1/32nd 1966 car that came second

       

       

                       


I must say that this is the first time I have worked on the Stombecker car and I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it seems.

Great detal, very nice stance, low to ground and a good 'standard' motor. I really like it.

I have taken a mould of the screens and have run my first test on casting them - not too bad but needs improvement - need them as I have 2 more to build and need the screens.

[KensRedZed]

Both are very cool looking cars, Anthony.

I've always liked Strombecker. Your first good track and cars always has a place in your heart.

[Anthony B]

Thanks Ken

[4380r]

New here as of today, and looking around. Came across this thread about the Lotus 38. While I used to collect 1/32 and 1/24 scale slot cars of all brands, as I downsized my life I downsized my collection, almost exclusively Lotus related slot cars now. I've owned 10 1:1 scale Lotus over the past 40 years.

Here is my well aged 1/24 scale Monogram Lotus 38. It has the original patina from when it was assembled back in the '60's. Also is my complete Scalextric 1/24 scale Lotus 38.

The Scalextric Lotus was marketed as the Indianapolis Special. While Scalextric has long held licensing for many Lotus models, and still does, perhaps they couldn't work out licensing for the Lotus 38. Note that it makes no effort to be liveried or decaled like any actual Lotus 38 race car.

I also have two of the 1/32 Lotus 38's.

[Anthony B]

Two of the best and most detailed cars of the 60's and now amonst the most desirable!