This car took aerodynamics to a whole new level in Grand Prix racing.

With the 79, Lotus designer Colin Chapman perfected a phenomenon known as "ground effect", where air flowing under the car was channelled to create hitherto unheard of levels of aerodynamic downforce.

The design speeded up the airflow to create a low-pressure area that sucked the car down on to the track.

Vertically sliding "skirts" were used to prevent any air escaping out of the sides.

The result was a car on a different level from its rivals, of which world champion Mario Andretti famously said that it cornered "like it was painted to the road".