To describe the history of Lotus as colourful is an understatement. To describe founder, Colin Chapman, as a genius is simplistic. Lotus is an enigma. Even now, the marque's beginnings are surrounded in mystery and the late Chapman is regularly the subject of new rumours.
For both the Lotus devotee and newcomer alike, a new book is always the cause for excitement - with the promise of shedding new light on old mysteries. Author Russell Hayes has done exactly that with his insightful, fully illustrated history of Lotus Cars - the latest publication in the elegant Haynes Classic Makes Series.
The first chapter is rightly devoted to Colin Chapman - the man, engineer, businessman and driver - together with his other projects (such as boat building and microlight engines) and personal perspectives from friends and colleagues.
In telling the story of the Lotus road cars, Hayes brings order to what was, at the time, a rollercoaster journey. Chapman built his first car in 1948, using an Austin Seven chassis, and raced it 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.
More, many more, production models followed: the Eleven, Seven (still produced by Caterham), groundbreaking 1957 Elite, the Elan and +2, Lotus-Cortina and Europa, Elite/Eclat and Excel, the long-running Esprit, Lotus Sunbeam, the 'new' Elan, Lotus Carlton, and the best-selling Elise. Each model is covered through development and production.
These, of course, are headline names but Hayes does not overlook less well-known projects. He describes rarities such as the Elite Twin-Cam, rebodied Elans, Crayford convertible Lotus-Cortinas, the Europa GS and the Etna concept car - among many others. On the sporting side, there are the early Le Mans racers, a fascinating insight into racing Lotus-Cortinas by Sir John Whitmore and extreme track day toys derived from the Elise. Hayes brings the story up to date with the most recent Lotus projects - the extensive Elise range, Vauxhall VX220, Protons by Lotus and the 2006 Europa S.
Each chapter is supported by authoritative driving impressions, technical information and buying advice. Useful appendices include a beginner's guide to Lotus racing cars and a look at the DeLorean controversy. This beautifully produced book is sumptuously illustrated with more than 160 photographs - many in colour.
Author Russell Hayes has written on motoring for a number of publications including the London
Evening Standard and What Car? He has also written and directed for popular television programmes Top
Gear and Driven. This is his first book.
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Review copies available
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Haynes Publishing
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Telephone: 01963 440635 Fax: 01963 440001 E-mail: sales@haynes.co.uk
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Registered in England, Number: 1449587 Registered Office: Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ
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Released in 2007
