For a few years in the mid 1960’s, team Lotus entered cars in the Indianapolis 500.
Up to the 1965 race, their best finish had been 2nd in 1963. But for 1965, they were armed with the new Ford powered Type 38. The engine was a 4.2 Litre V8 which developed 505bhp. It proved to be third time lucky for Jim Clark and Lotus. They dominated and were reliable to win after 3 hours and 19 minutes or racing.

The Type 38 also finished 2nd in 1966, behind Graham Hill in a Lola.

Lotus had surely proven that Chapman’s genius could be applied to any form of motor racing and turn it on its head.