{"id":106486,"date":"2026-01-09T10:59:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T10:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/?p=106486"},"modified":"2026-01-27T09:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T09:00:16","slug":"following-in-the-footsteps-of-formula-1-with-the-lotus-emira-type-86","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/en\/following-in-the-footsteps-of-formula-1-with-the-lotus-emira-type-86\/","title":{"rendered":"Following in the footsteps of Formula 1 with the Lotus Emira Type 86."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The year is 1980. Colin Chapman and Martin Wright are working on a new concept for Lotus in Formula 1 that pushes the limits of the regulations. Wing cars were officially banned at that time. The regulations required that all aerodynamic parts be firmly attached to the chassis. However, it was unclear whether \u201cchassis\u201d referred to the singular or plural. Chapman saw this as an opportunity and developed a race car with two interlocking chassis parts, each with independent suspension. This allowed one part to take care of aerodynamics and cooling, while the other chassis accommodated the driver, engine, transmission, and suspension\u2014a double chassis that was technically completely new. The result was a car that broke new technical ground, but was challenged by Ferrari and Williams during its planned deployment in Rio de Janeiro and subsequently disqualified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forty-four years later, we stand on the Col de l’Arme and look down on the Principality of Monaco. The vehicle that brought us here is the Lotus Emira Type 86\u2014a special edition limited to just 12 units, paying homage to that visionary prototype from the 1980s.<\/span><\/span> Its<\/span><\/span> history<\/span><\/span> is<\/span><\/span> immediately<\/span><\/span> recognizable<\/span><\/span> in<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> blue<\/span><\/span> \u201c<\/span>Essex<\/span><\/span>\u201d <\/span>paintwork<\/span><\/span> with<\/span><\/span> red<\/span><\/span> and<\/span><\/span> silver<\/span><\/span> stripes<\/span><\/span> and<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> number<\/span><\/span> 11<\/span><\/span> on<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> fenders<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>As<\/span><\/span> my<\/span><\/span> fingers<\/span><\/span> glide<\/span><\/span> over<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> bodywork<\/span><\/span>, <\/span>I<\/span><\/span> notice<\/span><\/span> a<\/span><\/span> detail<\/span><\/span> that<\/span><\/span> has<\/span><\/span> become<\/span><\/span> rare<\/span><\/span> today<\/span><\/span>: <\/span>nothing<\/span><\/span> here<\/span><\/span> is<\/span><\/span> wrapped<\/span><\/span> in<\/span><\/span> film<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>All<\/span><\/span> accents<\/span><\/span> are<\/span><\/span> elaborately<\/span><\/span> painted<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>
\n
\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\n\n

<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>