After the Lotus 49, Fenix Racing is releasing their new, fully-licensed Classic Team Lotus 78 high-quality polycarbonate body for Tamiya F103 and F104 chassis. The Lotus 78, in the iconic black and golden livery, was used during the 1977 and 1978 Formula 1 seasons and was the first to use the ground effect technology.
According the legend, when the Lotus 78 model went to the wind tunnel Tony Rudd told to Colin Chapman “The Mosquito Flies!”.
In 1977 Team Lotus was coming from the “Colin’s Confus-a-car”, aka Lotus 77, which was born with far too many variables to be really competitive and, on top of that, they were still struggling for a solution to compete with flat 12 cylinders coming from Italy…
So, as may other times, the Team find a clever way to fight. The idea itself wasn’t super new, but the Team find a way to used it in a competitive way.
The Lotus 78 was used during the 1977 season where it score 5 victories – 4 by Mario Andretti and 1 for Gunnar Nilsson. Only some un-necessary issues by his experimental DFV negated to Mario Andretti the Championship title, still getting a notable 3rd position in the ranking.
Lotus 78 was also used in 1978 season, until the Lotus 79 becomes ready, taking 2 victories and 2 pole position.
Also, one of the Lotus 78, was sold to Hector Rebaque, who get a remarkable 6th position (1 point) in the the 1978 German GP.
Source: fenixracingshop.com