Makes › Lotus › 51 (Formula Ford) · Coachbuilt Extremely Rare
Lotus
51 (Formula Ford)
Formula Ford car, 218 built.
Still being researched: why it matters, identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 218 Built
- Years
- Not yet verified
- Engine
- Inline 4 · 1,600 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,600 cc
- Power
- 82 kW / 112 PSFactory: 110 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionLotus 51 (incl. 51A and 51R) built 1967-1968 | 2181 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Formula Ford series began in 1967 as an entry-level category for amateur drivers, with Ford Cortina GT engines and little room for modification. Lotus built the Type 51, 51A and 51R in 1967 and 1968.
The Type 51 used a multi-tubular space frame with double wishbones at the front and reversed lower wishbones at the rear. The 51A appeared in 1968. Only one Type 51R was made, a flower-power show car shown at the 1968 Racing Car Show.
Around 218 examples were produced, and the type did well in Formula Ford competition.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 51 (Formula Ford).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Ford Cortina GT unit2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline 43 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 1,600 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,600 cc3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 82 kW / 112 PSFactory: 110 hp · converted3 Independently researched |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Four- or five-speed manual (Renault R-8 Type 330 or Hewland)3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Multi-tubular space frame2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Double wishbones with coil-over springs2 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Reversed lower wishbones, upper links, twin radius rods, coil-over springs2 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Fibreglass body on steel space frame3 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1968 Lotus Type 51 Specifications & Dimensions Level C
- 218 Lotus 51 (incl. 51A and 51R) built 1967-1968
-
2
1967 Lotus Type 51 history Level C conceptcarz.com
- The engines had to Ford Cortina GT units
- multi-tubular space-frame chassis
- double wishbones and coil spring/damper units in the front
- reversed lower wishbones, upper links, twin radius rods
-
3
1968 Lotus Type 51 Specifications & Dimensions Level C conceptcarz.com
- Inline 4 (1600 cc | 97.6 cu in. | 1.6 L.)
- with 110 BHP (80.96 KW)
- 4 speed Manual Renault R-8 Type 330, 5 speed Manual Hewland
- Steel Spaceframe chassis and fiberglass body
Keep exploring
More from Lotus
-
Lotus · 1966–1967
43
2 Built
-
Lotus · 1990–1991
Esprit X180R
3 Built
-
Lotus · 1967–1968
48
4 Built
-
Lotus
38
8 Built
More from United Kingdom
-
Noble
M400 (2003-2008)
Production not yet verified
-
Radford · 2022
Lotus Type 62-2
62 Built
-
Thrust · 1997
ThrustSSC
1 Built
-
Bristol · 1947–1950
400
Production not yet verified
134 other makes from United KingdomACAiredaleAlan Mann RacingAllardAlvisArabArashArielArmstrong SiddeleyArrowsAscariAston MartinAtalantaAtlantisAustinAustin-HealeyBedfordBentleyBerkeleyBluebirdBMCBondBrabhamBristolBritish LeylandBroadspeedBrookeBrough SuperiorCampbell-RailtonCaparoCaterhamChevronConnaughtCooperCrayfordDaimlerDavid BrownDawsonDeLoreanDuttonAll makes →