Lotus 78 and 79: The Ground-Effect Cars

The Lotus 78 was the car that started the ground effect revolution in Formula 1. By means of ducts and flexible skirts, the air that passed under the car was used, literally, to suck it to the ground. It created a sensation and revived the British team's fortunes. Its successor, the 79, was a true "wing" car, though it made its debut in a field that had already been transformed by the 78. The author has spoken to the men - engineers, designers, drivers and mechanics - who were at the chalk face of this revolution and this book is the result. Illustrated with photographs and original working drawings, this book should be of interest to fans of the golden era of Formula 1.