Makes › Lotus › 78 (1977) · Coachbuilt · 1977–1978
Lotus
78 (1977)
Ground-effect Formula One car, five built (John Player Special Mk. I).
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1977–1978
- Engine
- Not yet verified
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Ralph Bellamy, Martin Ogilvie, Peter Wright (design credits)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Lotus 78 of 1977 is generally treated as the first proper ground-effect Formula 1 car. Its sidepods were shaped as inverted wings and sealed to the road with skirts, so the underbody produced suction. Rival teams copied the approach within a few seasons.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Lotus 78 (1977) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0
Lotus 78 (1977) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Andres Alvarado · CC BY-SA 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
No production figures recorded yet.
History
The Type 78 debuted at the 1977 Argentine Grand Prix. Its skirts were first made of draft excluder and were later replaced by thick plastic lips. During the 1977 season the seal was improved with plastic strips and brushes, and then moveable skirts.
Mario Andretti won four times in 1977 and missed the title because of reliability problems, while Gunnar Nilsson won once (level D). Motor Sport gives the car five wins that season. Andretti was rewarded with the 1978 championship when a refined version of the car raced.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 78 (1977).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Ford Cosworth1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| 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
Lotus 78 (Grand Prix Racing - the whole story) Level D Grand Prix Racing - the whole story
- Ford Cosworth
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