Frank Costin

Frank Costin (* June 8, 1920; † 5 February 1995) was an engineer and pioneer of monocoque construction. Frank Costin was the brother of Mike Costin, a co-founder of the engine manufacturer Cosworth. During the Second World War he worked at de Havilland on aircraft. His knowledge in aerodynamics and aircraft he turned successful later on in the construction of racing and sports cars, so he designed, for example, the shape of the Lotus Elite. In 1959 he founded together with Jem Marsh manufacturer Marcos Cars and designed the " Xylon " with a chassis made ​​of plywood. Because of plywood construction, the vehicle became very easy. The chassis he disguised with an aerodynamically efficient body, which was a great advantage in racing after the war.

Later in his workshops produced the Costin Nathan (1965/1966), the Protos Formula 2 racing car ( 1966/1967 ) for the Ron Harris team. Costin has participated in numerous construction projects by different manufacturers. This included Lister Cars and Lotus Cars, where he contributed to the aerodynamic design. In addition, he constructed bodies for the company Maserati, Lotus and DTV. He also designed the sports car " Mini Marcos ", " Costin Amigo " and "TMC Costin ," which was made ​​in the 80s in Wexford. He also worked in the 1990s on " Costin Sports Roadster ".

In 1995, he died of cancer shortly after he had initiated at the urging of Japanese buyers in southern England, a new edition of his Costin - Nathan coupes.

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