Author: Nik Berg
Photography: Lotus
60 years ago Jim Clark won his second Formula 1 World Championship for Lotus. The farmer from the Scottish borders won six out of ten rounds in his Lotus 25, securing the manufacturers’ cup for Colin Chapman along the way. That same year Clark triumphed at the Indy 500, won races in Formula 2 and the Tasman Series, and even took on Touring Cars in a Lotus Cortina.
Now, long after leaving F1, Lotus is keen to remind us of its legacy with a limited run of Clark Edition Emiras. Created in association with the Jim Clark Trust, each of the 60 cars available will be painted in livery that echoes the Scot’s Indianapolis racer.
There’s Clark Racing Green paintwork, with a black roof and, most importantly, a yellow racing stripe that runs the length of the car. Silver mirrors, yellow exhaust tips and a blue anodised fuel filler cap complete the exterior.
Inside, the seats get an asymmetrical treatment red leather for the hot seat and black for the passenger. The steering wheel, driver’s door and instrument panel also feature red, just like Clark’s Indy car. Final touches include a polished wooden gear knob, numbered carbon treadplates and badging that’s based on the Clark tartan.
Paired with a six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential is the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 that makes 400bhp, and every Clark Edition Emira will come with the Lotus Driver’s pack featuring sport suspension, Track mode and a tuned exhaust note.
The Clark Edition Emira costs £115,000 which is a significant hike over the £92,500 starting price of the V6. If you’d like pay tribute without breaking the bank, then a road trip following the Jim Clark Trail from the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum is highly recommended, taking in the locations of his earliest races, local memorials and the fabulous roads on which he mastered the art of driving.
Do you think these special editions are worth the price tag? Let us know in the comments below.
