Lotus 12

The Lotus 12 was a racing car built and used by the British Motor Sport Team Lotus.

The Lotus 12 was released in the fall of 1956 at the London Motor Show, the first single-seater Lotus. In the spring of 1957, took place the first tests with the Formula 2 cars. The vehicle was extremely narrow for a front-engine race car, had a very light spaceframe and was originally with double wishbones in front and a De Dion axle provided the rear. Later Colin Chapman changed the rear suspension, rigid axle accounted for, it remained trailing arm, the drive shafts as wishbone and in addition there was a long, sloping wheel-guiding spring legs. This type of suspension used Chapman in other models, it was known as the " Chapman - axis". She was equipped with a 1.96 -liter engine from Climax FPF, which was easily installed at an angle to the back, to keep the center of gravity low.

His debut in the Lotus 12 at Easter 1957 in Goodwood with Cliff Allison at the wheel. A few weeks later Herbert MacKay - Fraser managed in a race at Brands Hatch, the first finish for a single-seater Lotus.

As Lotus 1958 entry into the Formula 1 World Championship, was on the 12 and converted. Graham Hill started with the Lotus 12, which now had a 2 -liter engine of Climax, his racing career with Lotus. Best result for the 12er was the sixth place from Cliff Allison Grand Prix of Monaco in 1958.