LOTUS (England) 1947 to date
The Lotus legend started in 1947 when talented engineer Anthony
Colin Bruce Chapman took to building 750 specials. Public demand
for replicas led to the forming of Lotus Engineering in 1952 and,
a few years later, the first production Lotus, the 6, since when
Lotus has grown out of all recognition.
Now many times World Champion Car Constructor as well as maker of
up-market sports and GT cars, not to mention luxury yachts, Chapman
has become a legend in his own time as well as a multimillionaire.
The first four Lotuses were all based on the Austin Seven. The Mk5
never happened but was to have been a 100-mph sports-racing car.
The ubiquitous Mk7 lives on today, known simply as the Seven and
built by Caterham Cars. The next road car was the pretty, glass-fibre
Elite. This was effectively superseded by the Elan in late 1962,
the Plus 2 version of which appeared in 1967.
Shortly before, however, in December 1966, Lotus announced their
first mid-engined road car, the Europa. Initially Renault-powered,
it eventually sported the same Ford-based, twin-cam engine as its
stablemates.
Following special and expensive derivatives of the Elans and Europas,
Lotus finally cut their ties with the enthusiast and launched an
executive dream; the Elite, in 1974: With only the badge in common
with the original car of the same name, it started a new era for
this company which soon afterwards added the Eclat (a coupé version
of the Elite) and the mid-engined Esprit to complete its range of
fast, sleek rich man's toys.
1968 Lotus Europe Serie 1
1970 Lotus Elan S4
1986 Lotus Caterham Super Seven
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