Description
The Lotus Mk VIII was Colin Chapman’s first racing car with streamlined bodywork, designed in conjunction with Frank Costin, an aerodynamic specialist of the British aircraft manufacturer de Havilland and later founder of Marcos Cars. This outer skin, made of aluminum, was a revolution. The favorable aerodynamics together with a super lightweight 35lb space frame chassis (designed by Peter Ross and Gilbert McIntosh, also aeronautic engineer’s) helped the car to a much better performance with a weight of only 521kg and a top speed of over 120mph.
The Lotus Mk VIII driven by Colin Chapman won the 1500cc supporting race at the 1954 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, beating the Porsches (among others: Porsche 550 driven by Hans Hermann) in the process.
TYC 700 is famously labeled the ‘White Lotus’ and whilst it is the 1
st
production chassis, it was the last car to be completed in 1955 and therefore has many of the later features of the Mk IX including de Dion rear suspension and knock-on wheels from new. The car is powered by the original MG-experimental engine (based XPAG) with 4 cylinders, 89 horsepower and 1, 486ccm. This type of engine was also used by MG at speed record runs.
TYC 700 is a truly iconic and well documented piece of innovative motoring history, incredibly retaining its original aluminium body and space frame, being widely acknowledged to be the most original and complete Lotus Mk VIII.
T G Cunane was the first custodian of TYC 700 Chassis MK6/ 2-1 and both raced and used the car on the road, preferring it over his Jaguar XK140, and in the substantial history records, there are period photos of Tip and TYC 700 at various race meetings.
By 1963 the last UK and 4
th
owner **** Whittington dismantled TYC 700 with intents on giving the car a full restoration. In 1987 Graham Capel (Historic Lotus Register) inspected the dismantled TYC 700 and was astounded by its completeness and originality.
Olav Glasius, President of Lotus Club Netherlands, spent more than 4 years having the TYC 700 restored, completed in 1997 and recognised as the most original Mk VIII in existence.
Today, the car looks as if the restoration could have just been completed, such is its condition.
