Frank Costin
Frank Costin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 June 1920[1] Hammersmith, London[1] |
| Died | 5 February 1995 (aged 74) Kettering, Northamptonshire |
| Nationality | British |
Francis Albert Costin (8 June 1920 – 5 February 1995)aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use.
Career
"the classic Costin-inspired shape"
Costin was an engineer with the de Havilland Aircraft Company when, in 1954, his brother Mike, a former de Havilland engineer then working for Lotus Engineering Ltd., asked him to design an aerodynamic body for a new racing car. Intrigued by the idea of applying aerodynamics to racing cars, Costin designed the body for the Lotus Mark VIII.[2] Unlike his brother, Costin was never a Lotus employee; his work there was either as a paid consultant or as a volunteer.[3]
In 1956, when Chapman was commissioned by
Vanwall that won the first Grand Prix Constructors' Championship.[2]
Later, Costin used his
Marcos, which he co-founded with Speedex Cars' Jem Marsh (MARsh and COStin); and racecar chassis for Maserati, Lotus, and DTV. He also designed the Costin Amigo, the TMC Costin, and the Costin Sports Roadster. He also created an ultra-light glider with Keith Duckworth, an old friend and his brother's business partner
.
Personal life
In his youth, Costin had been an Olympic-standard swimmer, while in his later years he composed music.[2]
References
- ^ a b Jenkins, Richard (11 December 2016). "Frank Costin". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ OCLC 185201487. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
His early days of Olympic–standard swimming had given way to gentler pursuits, including composing music.
- ^ Schreiber, Ronnie (23 June 2010). "Book Review: Colin Chapman: Inside The Innovator". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
Frank Costin, Mike's brother, was an aerodynamicist for deHavilland and Chapman's first aero guru (Peter Wright would later fill that role with the ground effects cars), but Frank Costin never was a Lotus employee, preferring to work either for consultant fees or gratis just to see his ideas tested.
Further reading
- Ortenburger, Dennis E. (17 February 1986). Flying on Four Wheels: Frank Costin and his car designs. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 978-0-8505-9770-7.
External links
- "Costin Cars Forum". 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010.
- Lockwood, Kirk (2012). "Cheshunt Lotus Elite Works Chassis #1468". Archived from the original on 12 February 2018.
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