The Lotus 56 was designed by Maurice Philippe as the 1968 Lotus entry for the Indianapolis 500. The innovative car was powered by a Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine and featured four-wheel-drive. It scored pole position at Indy under Joe Leonard (USA) and was leading comfortably until engine failure robbed him of victory. Afterwards, the USAC banned four-wheel-drive gas turbine cars from competing at Indy.
Lotus 56 IndyCar Launch, Hethel, England, 1968.