Car #3 / Cowley MkIV. Built in the early seventies by the initiative designer Bill Cowely, who’s earlier cars had include elastic band suspension, this car had many well thought out design features - not least its mid-engined layout. In a class noted for small, lightweight cars, this one stood out by being of go-cart proportions. Not withstanding the fact it was the only car with a roof! it still managed to be one of the lowest F750s racing at the time. (most of the drivers in clubman style cars in this racecould see over the white hardboard behind the car.) A very low frontal area was achieved by placing the engine and gearbox behind the driver. To achieve a mid-engine layout and still retain the beam axel, the gearbox, which was situated just behind the driver’s left shoulder, was attached by means of a short propshaft to the diff. The engine was turned through 180 degrees and placed alongside the gearbox facing backwards, the two being clamped to an aluminium adaptor plate. To provide drive, a toothed belt joined the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft of the gearbo
Place M / Oxford Military College, Cowley, Oxfordshire, as it was drawn in 1884 by architect T.G. Jackson