Gallery: The Turbine-Powered Lotus That Was So Good It Got Banned

  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Formula One Tire Spoke and Alloy Wheel
    Classic Team Lotus
    01

    Lotus Type 56

    The Type 56 was built by Lotus for STP, an oil additive manufacturer, for entry in the 1968 Indianapolis 500.
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    Classic Team Lotus
    02

    Lotus Type 56

    The car ran on a turbine engine built by Pratt & Whitney, an aerospace manufacturer.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Tire Car Transportation Vehicle Automobile Formula One and Car Wheel
    Classic Team Lotus
    03

    Lotus Type 56

    The Type 56 also had a state-of-the-art four-wheel drive system that kept it grippy though corners.
  • Image may contain Tire Animal Bird Transportation Vehicle Car Formula One Automobile and Sports Car
    Classic Team Lotus
    04

    Lotus Type 56

    The chimney behind the driver's seat was for exhaust from the engine.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Transportation Car Vehicle Automobile Formula One and Tire
    Classic Team Lotus
    05

    Lotus Type 56

    The car hit a 1968 speed record of 171 mph on the Indy 500 track.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Formula One Tool and Lawn Mower
    Classic Team Lotus
    06

    Lotus Type 56

    None of the three 1968 Type 56es finished the race. Two broke down, and the other crashed.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Tire Formula One Wheel Machine Spoke and Alloy Wheel
    Classic Team Lotus
    07

    Lotus Type 56

    This Type 56 was owned by Richard Petty and has been restored to original working order, hopefully for vintage racing.
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