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Post by quattro on Mar 24, 2021 5:38:07 GMT -5
Chaps Mate tagged me in this pic and asked what it was seeing as I 'know all about Indycars'. Funny. Just a Padawan mate!  Looks like Mario Andretti in the car outside Hethel at Lotus. All I can think is it is early 1980. Caption says PC9. Is it? Maybe an early version? Sure someone on here can tell me. Thanks in advance. Joe |
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Post by vintagerpm on Mar 24, 2021 9:11:08 GMT -5
1981 Patrick Wildcat Indy car. Essex was replaced by STP as main sponsor by the time the 500 was run. Probably not even Mario in the car, but a stand-in with an Andretti helmet. Found the info on the Autosport magazine forums.
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Post by pje on Mar 24, 2021 11:20:29 GMT -5
I’ve always be curious about this car, but never seen much detailed discussion about it. Was it a modified 1980 Mk. VI Wildcat or an early 1981 Mk VII? It certainly had a different take on the side pods.
Paul Erlendson
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Post by indy on Mar 24, 2021 12:43:08 GMT -5
Interesting. I have not found a picture yet from around 1981 that matches this chassis. It is a bit before my time so I am out of my depth. Will be watching this discussion.
Jordan
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Post by quattro on Mar 24, 2021 19:23:17 GMT -5
So gone off digging around for what I can find myself.
Supposedly a 1980 Wildcat MK4 done up in Essex colours with a stand in for Mario early in 1981 (he had gone to Alfa by then, no?)
and used at a Essex pre season launch.
From what I recall Essex ended badly mid 81. Lotus then went with JPS and Wildcat went with STP.
Of course I looked at the 1980 Wildcat MK4 and those side pods on this thing have me intrigued.....
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Post by kuzlynn on Mar 24, 2021 20:56:24 GMT -5
I’ve always be curious about this car, but never seen much detailed discussion about it. Was it a modified 1980 Mk. VI Wildcat or an early 1981 Mk VII? It certainly had a different take on the side pods. Paul Erlendson The car in question is the 1980 Wildcat. It was driven by both Gordon Johncock and Tom Bagley. Johncock ran the colors of North American Van Lines and Bagley ran the colors of Kent Oil. I believe that Johncock missed a few races with injuries while racing this particular car. This was Patrick Racings first ground effects chassis. It was a true wing car. You can see the car in all its glory in the 1980 Indy 500 yearbook. Hope that helps. |
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Post by quattro on Mar 25, 2021 6:25:35 GMT -5
Thank you gents.
Found a colour pic of it online as well.
Looks like the 'Autosport' forums went through this question a while back.
Right sexy looking bit of kit that.
I am of a mind to finally go on the Classic Team lotus tour at their facility later in the year if things open up.
Might well take a print of this along and ask about it appreciating that it covered a wobbly time in the team's history.
They do have their own archive from what I have been told.
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Post by kuzlynn on Mar 26, 2021 6:44:46 GMT -5
Thank you gents. Found a colour pic of it online as well. Looks like the 'Autosport' forums went through this question a while back. Right sexy looking bit of kit that. I am of a mind to finally go on the Classic Team lotus tour at their facility later in the year if things open up. Might well take a print of this along and ask about it appreciating that it covered a wobbly time in the team's history. They do have their own archive from what I have been told. Photos courtesy of James Debosick. Michigan 1980.   |
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Post by quattro on Mar 26, 2021 10:40:42 GMT -5
Oh LOOK!
Thank you!
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