Colin Chapman

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Overview By Gérard ‘Jabby’ Crombac Foreword by Enzo Ferrari From penniless beginnings as an engineering student in North London, Colin Chapman went on to build the world-famous Lotus car company and establish himself, in Jackie Stewart’s words, as the ‘most creative designer of racing cars in the history of motor racing.’ Originally published in 1986 and written with the full cooperation of Chapman’s widow and Lotus, this is the definitive biography of the brilliant engineer. All of Chapman’s creations are examined, including all of the Lotus grand prix cars that became world-famous, winning seven constructors’ and six drivers’ World Championships. Chapman built his first Lotus ‘special’ as an engineering undergraduate, creating a trials car from a decrepit 1930 fabric-bodied Austin Seven tourer. Insights into Chapman’s character, as well as his all-round skills as a superb driver, pilot, marksman and yachtsman. Rich with anecdotes from family, friends and associates. The design, construction and achievements of Lotus’s grand prix cars form the backbone to the book, with explanations of how Chapman explored new technical avenues such as monocoque chassis construction, wings and aerodynamics, and ground-effect. The background to Chapman’s road cars, in particular the innovative glassfibre-monocoque Elite of 1957. Illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs from the Chapman family and other private collections. Specification ISBN: 978-1-910505-01-4 Format: 238x169mm Jacketed hardback Page extent: 384pp Illustration: 255 black/white photographs and documents The Author Gérard ‘Jabby’ Crombac was a close friend of Colin Chapman throughout his life, having bought one of the earliest Lotus Mark VI sports cars in 1953. In 1954 he founded the Paris-based magazine Sport Auto and eventually sold it in the late 1970s, having been its editor throughout. He remained an active Formula 1 journalist until 2003 and died in 2005.