Frank Costin
Encyclopedia
Frank Costin was an automotive engineer who pioneered monocoque
chassis
design and was instrumental in adapting aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use. He was the brother of Mike Costin
, co-founder of Cosworth
. Frank 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 low-capacity sports car racing
of the immediate postwar period.
He was involved in a number of car projects for various manufacturers including Lister and Lotus
, where he contributed to the early aerodynamic designs; Marcos
, which he co-founded with Jem Marsh
(MARsh and COStin); and racecar chassis for Maserati
, Lotus, and DTV. He also designed the Costin Amigo
, as well as the TMC Costin
which was built in Wexford
, Ireland
in the mid-1980s.
He went on to work on the Costin Sports Roadster
in the early 1990s
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
design and was instrumental in adapting aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use. He was the brother of Mike Costin
Mike Costin
Mike Costin was together with Keith Duckworth the co-founder of Cosworth Engineering, a producer of Ford-based and Ford-sponsored engines. Drivers like Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and Nelson Piquet won the Formula One World Championship using Cosworth engines during the 1970s.In recent...
, co-founder of Cosworth
Cosworth
Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries...
. Frank Costin used his aeronautical
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
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 low-capacity sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
of the immediate postwar period.
He was involved in a number of car projects for various manufacturers including Lister and Lotus
Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
, where he contributed to the early aerodynamic designs; Marcos
Marcos (automobile)
Marcos was a British sports car manufacturer. The name was a combination of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.-History:Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and...
, which he co-founded with Jem Marsh
Jem Marsh
Jeremy George Weston "Jem" Marsh is an engineer, motor manufacturer and race driver. He is perhaps best known as a co-founder of the sports-car manufacturer Marcos, the name being derived from a contraction of his and fellow founder Frank Costin's surnames...
(MARsh and COStin); and racecar chassis for Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
, Lotus, and DTV. He also designed the Costin Amigo
Costin Amigo
The Costin Amigo was a lightweight sports car built in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. It was designed by Frank Costin and built in Little Staughton, Bedfordshire....
, as well as the TMC Costin
TMC Costin
The TMC Costin was a lightweight sports car built from 1983 to 1987 at the Thompson Motor Company in Wexford, Ireland.It was designed by the aerodynamicist and Marcos founder Frank Costin and was intended to be an Irish-made rival to Lotus Seven-inspired cars as manufactured by companies such as...
which was built in Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the mid-1980s.
He went on to work on the Costin Sports Roadster
Costin Sports Roadster
The Costin Sports Roadster is a lightweight mid-engined sports car that was intended for initial launch in the mid 1990s. A prototype test bed chassis was finished in 1991 at Costin Ltd in Wales....
in the early 1990s