Lotus F1 "The tobacco years" type 72

[BDA]

Good eye, Lou! I have no insight into those ducts but to your question about "blown" devices, I remember Lotus had fans that fit over the brake cooling exhaust "humps" to cool the discs while in the pits.

[BDA]

I found a picture of the fans I mentioned:

[Lou Drozdowski]

BDA good one...I had a chuckle

By "blown" devices I meant the control of dirty air over and around the bodywork. Today's aero front wings for example not only supply down force, but are used to deflect unwanted turbulence. End plate diffusers and hollow front hubs with "blown wheels" channel the air away from the high drag front tires.

I was wondering, before the wind tunnel era, was Colin on to something with those mysterious mods.

Oh yea...the hair dryers did come in handy!

[BDA]

You got me, Lou! I wasn't sure what you meant by "blown devices."

I have been educated recently about how aerodynamics is a lot more "holistic" and that not everything it related to downforce, but about directing the air to devices (wings, etc.) downstream. Of course my knowledge doesn't go past that bit. Whether Chunky was thinking in those terms, I have no  idea. It seems pretty early in the history of aerodynamics of race cars but then, you never want to underestimate Chunky in particular (or Lotus in general). I remember that Lotus experimented with active suspension before anybody else had but it seems that when I hear about it, they talk about how Williams was so far ahead of everybody else when it was outlawed but there is rarely any mention of Lotus' contribution.

[Roger]

The last iterations of the 72 moved the brakes outboard, as they were incapable of putting enough heat into the tyres. I can't see on my phone ckearly enough to tell if the brake shafts are visible.
I'm away from home so can't refer to my books, but maybe that's a clue?

[Lou Drozdowski]

Time warp...Watkins Glen

Colin, I've done what you've asked....Can I get up now? my knees are killing me and I need a haircut.

   

[Lou Drozdowski]

Additional to my post #149...

I found another shot of those curious inlets and still have no clue of their purpose.

[Bainford]

I wonder if it might be brake cooling intakes? If the air through these scoops was directed to the centre (eye) of the rotor to pass through the cooling fins then, as mentioned earlier, exhaust out through the exhaust vents. In a conventionally mounted disc brake system (mounted at the wheels) the cooling air would need to be directed to the inboard side of the rotors, but on an inboard brake mounting arrangement, the rotors could be designed to allow the admission of cooling air from the outboard side of the rotor, or conceivably from both sides of the rotor if desired. Just a thought...

[Lou Drozdowski]

Bengt "Ronnie" Peterson... 9/11/78 RIP

Remembrance

[jbcollier]

Yes they are vent outlets over the inboard brake discs.  On some other Lotus-es the rotors actually protrude.

[BDA]

Super Swede was probably the best driver never to win a championship. RIP Ronnie!

[dakazman]

I didn’t see these 3 pics posted but thought you would like added. Wish I knew more history and wanted to sit down relax and watch that movie you mentioned...one?
Dakazman

[Lou Drozdowski]

Back in the day...before the $$$$$

It was common practice for one mechanic to rule the roost. Every task was their responsibility, from gearboxes to gas, rebuilds to rubber, you were required to adapt to any situation.
Even then, the accommodations were spartan at best. From weather, garages (if any) to food and sleeping...they were a hardy lot, and dealt with the situation as they saw fit.

[BDA]

It's funny to see what even the top teams of the day had to contend with - things that some current club racers don't have to deal with!

Sorry I missed your post D'man. I think the movie you're thinking of is "1." It should still be free on Amazon Prime.

[Bainford]

Cool photo. Such a contrast to modern times.

I think I need to build a model of that transporter.