Auto Factoids for the Week of April 5, 2015 – Lotus and Tires

It’s a light week for the automotive history.

 

April 5, 1923  Firestone introduces balloon tires.  Everything we’ve accomplished with our rides has greatly depend and relied on Mr. Firestone’s improvement.   It was a combination of cotton cords infused with rubber that allowed for long distance driving without punctures.

Pneuamtic Tire

Pneuamtic Tire

Balloon tire ad.

Balloon tire ad.

 

April 9, 1957 – Lotus’ first single seat race car.  As far as I’ve researched Lotus had a single seat race car concept either in 1954 or 1955.  The 1956 Lotus was a two-seater but usually had a single roll cage on the right side (drivers side).   It seems clear that the 1957 Lotus 11 (or Lotus 13 unofficially) race car didn’t actually race in a Grand Prix until 1958.

 

1955 Lotus MK IX

1955 Lotus MK IX

1956 Lotus 11

1956 Lotus 11

 

1958 Lotus 11

1958 Lotus 11

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids

 

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