The Lotus 78 was a Formula One racing car used in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. It was designed by Peter Wright, Colin Chapman, Martin Ogilvie and Tony Rudd, and was the first ground effect car in Formula One.
Lotus 78
The Lotus 78 being tested at the Lotus test track in Hethel
Gunnar Nilsson driving the 78 at the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix
Héctor Rebaque's Lotus 78 at the 1979 British Grand Prix, where it was used as a spare car
The 1977 Formula One season was the 31st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 28th World Championship of Drivers and the 20th International Cup for Formula 1 Constructors. The season commenced on 9 January 1977 and ended on 23 October after seventeen races, making it the longest Formula One season in the sport's history at the time. The season also included a single non-championship race for Formula One cars, the 1977 Race of Champions.
Austrian Niki Lauda took his second title, driving for Ferrari
Jody Scheckter placed second for Wolf
Mario Andretti (pictured in 1978) placed third for Lotus
Carlos Reutemann during the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix