1967 Lotus 47A Sports Racing Coupe

When Lotus launched its then quite radical mid-engined Europa in 1966 it received lavish praise for its superb roadholding and handling, but was criticized for a lack of power from the Renault 16 engine. A tuned Gordini option was mooted but when Lotus developed the racing Europa Type 47 to contest the Group 4 GT category, it was a Cosworth Lotus-Ford twin cam, the Mk 13C, that supplemented the Renault unit. The twin overhead camshaft, 1,594 cc four-cylinder, allied to Tecalemit-Jackson fuel injection and mated to a Hewland FT200 five-speed transaxle, produced 165 bhp at 7,000 rpm. Otherwise, the GTP-bodied Europa’s steel backbone chassis was retained, as was its coil spring/wishbone front suspension, but at the rear the similar setup was replaced by light alloy uprights from the Lotus 59 single seater, reversed lower wishbones and upper and lower trailing arms. So equipped, John Miles took the 47 to a debut victory in the 1966 Brands hatch Boxing Day meeting,...