Lotus 43

The Lotus 43 was a Formula 1 racing car, built by the British Formula 1 Team Lotus.

The Lotus 43 was an interim solution. In 1966, the 3- liter formula was introduced in F1 and Lotus had no suitable car more. The 33 itself was outdated for the current to 1965 2- liter formula, the 39 is a bad design and the deal with Cosworth, who was the basis for the Lotus 49, is still being created.

Lotus had the 33 partially engines from BRM be used. Therefore should the H -16 engines for the 43, the BRM had developed for their own vehicles, are used. Even when unloading the first engines in the factory, the difficulties were programmed. It took four men to each to get a motor from the truck. The engine was much too heavy and also never reached the BRM promised. The engine was mounted as a load-bearing part of a bulkhead behind the cockpit and carried the rear suspension. The monocoque was extremely short for a Formula 1 car, Colin Chapman was based here at the Lotus 38, which was used in Indianapolis.

Jim Clark, Peter Arundell and of B.R.M. homecoming Graham Hill struggled all year with the preponderance of the car. Arundell Hill and therefore drove the 33 most world championship races, the Lotus had converted to the new regulations. By the end of the season the vehicle to a complete flop seemed to develop because no single finish succeeded. Only Jim Clark saved the team a total failure when he completely surprisingly won the Grand Prix of USA at Watkins Glen. In 1967, the car still in South Africa for use and was then replaced by the highly successful Model 49. The two 43 chassis were sold and later came some time in the Formula 5000 is used.