Francis Albert Costin (8 June 1920 – 5 February 1995)[2] was a British automotive engineer who advanced monocoquechassis design and was instrumental in adapting aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use.
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 Tony Vandervell to design a Grand Prix racing car to challenge Maserati and Ferrari dominance of the formula, Chapman recommended Costin to Vandervell as the body designer. Costin designed the body for the Vanwall that won the first Grand Prix Constructors' Championship.[2]
Later, Costin used his aeronautical knowledge to design and build a chassis from plywood. This led to a lightweight, stiff structure, which he could then clothe with an efficient, aerodynamic body, a huge advantage in the low-capacity sports car racing of the immediate postwar period. He was also involved in a number of road car projects for various manufacturers including Lister and Lotus, where he contributed to the early aerodynamic designs; 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
^ abJenkins, Richard (11 December 2016). "Frank Costin". oldracingcars.com.
^ abcdTremayne, David (6 March 1995). "OBITUARY: Frank Costin". The Independent. London, UK. ISSN 0951-9467. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Further reading
Ortenburger, Dennis E. (17 February 1986). Flying on Four Wheels: Frank Costin and his car designs. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN0-85059-770-6.
External links
. 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010.
Lockwood, Kirk (2012). . Archived from the original on 12 February 2018.
March 29, 2023
frank, costin, francis, albert, costin, june, 1920, february, 1995, british, automotive, engineer, advanced, monocoque, chassis, design, instrumental, adapting, aircraft, aerodynamic, knowledge, automobile, born, 1920, june, 1920, hammersmith, london, died5, f. Francis Albert Costin 8 June 1920 5 February 1995 2 was a British automotive engineer who advanced monocoque chassis design and was instrumental in adapting aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use Frank CostinBorn 1920 06 08 8 June 1920 1 Hammersmith London 1 Died5 February 1995 1995 02 05 aged 74 Kettering NorthamptonshireNationalityBritish Contents 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksCareer Edit Vanwall VW5World Champion F1 Constructor 1958 the classic Costin inspired shape 1968 Costin Nathan 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 Tony Vandervell to design a Grand Prix racing car to challenge Maserati and Ferrari dominance of the formula Chapman recommended Costin to Vandervell as the body designer Costin designed the body for the Vanwall that won the first Grand Prix Constructors Championship 2 Later Costin used his aeronautical knowledge to design and build a chassis from plywood This led to a lightweight stiff structure which he could then clothe with an efficient aerodynamic body a huge advantage in the low capacity sports car racing of the immediate postwar period He was also involved in a number of road car projects for various manufacturers including Lister and Lotus where he contributed to the early aerodynamic designs 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 EditIn his youth Costin had been an Olympic standard swimmer while in his later years he composed music 2 References Edit a b Jenkins Richard 11 December 2016 Frank Costin oldracingcars com a b c d Tremayne David 6 March 1995 OBITUARY Frank Costin The Independent London UK ISSN 0951 9467 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 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Further reading EditOrtenburger Dennis E 17 February 1986 Flying on Four Wheels Frank Costin and his car designs Patrick Stephens Ltd ISBN 0 85059 770 6 External links Edit 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank Costin amp oldid 1063726250, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
