Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

 f1 Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Japan  > Maki
Racing cars  > Formula 1
     F101A Cosworth
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  Maki F101A Cosworth      

  Article Image gallery (21) F101/00 Specifications  
Click here to open the Maki F101A Cosworth gallery   
Country of origin:Japan
Produced in:1974
Numbers built:2
Successor:Maki F101C Cosworth
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:July 17, 2014
Download: All images
Page 1 of 2 Next >>
Click here to download printer friendly versionIn March of 1974, the Carlton Towers hotel in London was the scene of the high profile launch of the brand new Maki Formula 1 car and team. The brainchild of Japanese engineers Kenji Mimura and Masao Ono, the new Cosworth DFV engined F101 was just the first step of an ambitious program, which also included plans for a proprietary engine and customer cars. The scope of the announcement and mysteries surrounding the financiers had many at the time believe Maki Engineering was a front for one of the major Japanese manufacturers.

Masao Ono was responsible for the design of the straightforward chassis. Built around an aluminium monocoque, the original Maki followed the lines of most DFV-engined 'kit cars' of the day. While conventional in design, all major components did seem unnecessarily bulky. Undoubtedly, the F101's most striking feature was the Kenji Mimura designed bodywork. Complete with a canopy and a tall air box, the car included many jet fighter cues. The broad front wing and full length side-pods did little to hide the car's bulk and its believed that it tipped the scales at 150 kg over the minimum weight stipulated in the regulations.

Late in 1973, the prototype Maki was built up in Japan while components were constructed for a second example. These were shipped to England where they were assembled in the shop of the team's lead driver Howden Ganley. Finished in the Japanese racing colours of white with a red circle, it was the car built in England that was launched in London. Following the introduction to the media, the Maki F101 was tested by Goodwood and Silverstone but it was found not to be up to the task. It was overweight and prone to overheating, so in an attempt to fix the issue, the radical bodywork was replaced with an altogether more elegant set of panels.

Page 1 of 2 Next >>

  Article Image gallery (21) F101/00 Specifications