"Following the tradition of the elegant Haynes Classic Makes Series", this volume provides an insightful and fully illustrated history of Lotus. Beginning with Colin Chapman and his Austin Seven Special (the first Lotus), it traces the development of the company and its cars through half a century of pioneering sports car production to the latest models and beyond. Supported by authoritative driving impressions, technical information and buying advice, this book is the essential companion for all Lotus enthusiasts.
Colin Chapman: the man, the engineer. Covering Chapman's education, RAF service and early engineering career as well as friends and family.
Chapman built his first car in 1948 using an Austin Seven chassis, which he raced himself. Subsequent models brought improvements and greater racing success, and the first production Lotus, the Lotus Six, arrived in 1952, proving popular with club racers.
The production models: the sports-racers, the Seven (and Caterham), Elite, Elan and Elan +2, Lotus Cortina and Escort Twin Cam, Europa, Elite/Eclat/Excel, Esprit, Lotus-Sunbeam, New Elan, Lotus Carlton, Elise and beyond.
Peppered throughout with additional insights into rarer models, concepts and collaborations, technical information, authoritative opinions and buying advice.
Lavishly produced with many colour photographs and illustrations throughout.