So You Think The Esprit Is Aerodynamic

[USAndretti42]

Plenty of posts and road tests refer to the aerodynamic shape of the Esprit.

Well here is a low-drag road-going car with a mid-mounted Lotus engine.

Can anyone, apart from WayneB who will know the answer immediately probably, guess what it is? Has a strong Lotus connection.

[islandbloke]

Is it a Costin?? Has echoes of a Ferrari P12 too.

[USAndretti42]

Darn. I thought it would take longer than that. Or did you cheat and look at the link properties?

Here is some more information Clicky.

Shouldn't you be in bed, Stu?

[peteyg]

Didn't the original Elite have a better drag coefficient than the Esprits, and without use of a wind tunnel too?

Pete

[Mark Blanchard]

Saw one in Motorsport mag a while back. Not the prettiests of cars. Here's a bit more about it: Costin-Nathan GT Coupe

[Loose Cannon]

Saw one in Motorsport mag a while back. Not the prettiests of cars. Here's a bit more about it: Costin-Nathan GT Coupe

Wasn't the car above one of a series of reproductions which people were snapping up thinking they were originals? Seem to remember some grumpiness and slapped wrists.

Roger Nathan is still around and written a book this year about the car and his exploits, bit pricey for such an obscure subject though.

[Winter]

Wasn't the car above one of a series of reproductions which people were snapping up thinking they were originals? Seem to remember some grumpiness and slapped wrists.

Roger Nathan is still around and written a book this year about the car and his exploits, bit pricey for such an obscure subject though.

Thought I had added a reply but seemingly not, so this is attempt two.

A similar car to check out is the Costin Amigo. Only eight or so were built.

I saw one in North Wales in November 1970. In fact, one's first sighting was usually a red light just above hedge-height. The cars were low and had a roof-mounted pylon that contained the car aerial plus the red light on top.

This red light was partly a warning to other motorists that the Amigo was on the road.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

iirc the main problem with the Esprit's poor drag performance is those shocking shut lines!

Masking tape over those and it improves enormously

[WayneB]

Frank Costin (Mike Costins brother) built and designed quite a few cars with extremely good aerodynamic properties (usually with wooden monocoques). Mr. Costin like Malcolm Sayer had an aeronautical background, and applied those principles to the vehicles he designed. He was also a founder of Marcos cars (with Gem Marsh).

Great low drag cars, but he wasnt concerned about making them pretty!

Edited July 3, 2007 by WayneB

[islandbloke]

Darn. I thought it would take longer than that. Or did you cheat and look at the link properties?

Here is some more information Clicky.

Shouldn't you be in bed, Stu?

Sorry Trevor - no, didn't cheat (wish I'd thought of that) but I looked at it and remembered (from researching my 'Best of British film) Frank Costin being very into aerodynamics and also involved in Lotus in the early days. BTW I also met Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth when I went to Cosworth.

I also thought it might be a BRM or a Ferrari, but Googling ruled them out (and didn't find this car either).

Bed - nope, that's the downside of an early shift (I start work at 0630). The upside is I'm home again now with the afternoon to myself!!

Stu

[Mark Blanchard]

Ok, here's another low-drag road-going car from the same era, with a mid-mounted Lotus engine. What is it?

Bet Wayne or Island Bloke can't get it .

[WayneB]

Hi Mark, that is a 1967 Daren Mk.1

It was the Mirage windscreen that gave it away (I have the last Mirage built in my shop, and I have been reading up on the Mirage/JW Automotive organisation lately)!

So does anyone know who made this car?

Edited July 3, 2007 by WayneB

[Loose Cannon]

Panhard CD Le Mans 1964? There were one or two at the Le Mans Classsic, very unusual. The French definitely plough their own furrow in the styling dept! Even Matra had a go at the rear fins;

[Mark Blanchard]

Well done Wayne! You sure know your stuff!

Yep, that blue car is a Panhard CD Peugeot 66C.

What's this car? (No clues as Wayne's to knowledgeable).

[Mark Blanchard]

No one . . .?

Brabham - Climax BT8, with Gerry Marshall driving at Spa 1970.

[WayneB]

Mark , I was trying to figure out what your mystery car was for most of yesterday, I briefly considered it as a Brabham Sports racing car , but was thrown off by the much modified tail section on your car.

This is what a normal 1965 BT8 looks like

[Mark Blanchard]

Yea, was a bit tricky as the tail was special.

This should be easier. Clue: one of the first mid engined sports cars and featured a Climax engine:

[Loose Cannon]

Is it a Lola? Or weren't they called Broadley GTs or something at first?

[Mark Blanchard]

Are you thinking of the Lola Mk6 GT from 1963 (that inspired the GT40)? It's not that, but good call. This was made the year before.

[Mark Blanchard]

No one . . . ?

It's the Tojeiro Ecurie Ecosse Coupe. Initally had a Climax engine and ran in Le Mans in 1962. Upgraded to a Buick engine (and called the Tojeiro Buick Ecurie Ecosse Coupe) and raced by Jackie Stewart: http://www.racecar.co.uk/hallandhall/stock/ecurie1.htm

[USAndretti42]

Good find, Mark.

Anyone else got any brain teasers like that?

[WayneB]

Mark, I didnt realise there was a one day time limit. (I wasnt even on the forum yesterday)

Heres one to have a go at (I week time limit)

[USAndretti42]

Don't know what it is but it looks really nice. A late 60's or early 70's concept car, possibly from Chevrolet?

[Mark Blanchard]

Had to think really hard about that one. It's the 1977 Buick Phantom XP:

http://www.trombinoscar.com/buick/bk7701.html

Looked similar to the 1965 Cadillac ХР-840 Eldorado Fastback:

http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept...ack_proto_1.jpg

[Mark Blanchard]

Ok, this one shouldn't be too difficult: