John
Mamarella
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on any of the pages of this website !!!
There
are only a few embedded audio files, (that will enhance the pages),
which ALL web browsers can easily handle, but are NOT absolutely neccessary
for the enjoyment of this site.
Thank You.
The
Management----------
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Lotus
History - Lotus Cars History
|
Colin
Chapman - Jim Clark
LOTUS
Cars - Lotus Cars - LOTUS Cars - Lotus Cars - LOTUS Cars
.
"The story
of Lotus is essentially the story of one man's achievements, and of the
products which his fertile and imaginative mind created.
It is a great
success story, tinged with moments of extreme sadness, as have been so
many pages of motor racing history before it.
Colin
Chapman, whose influence on the world of motor sport has been greater than
that of any other man during the second half of the twentieth century,
is a unique combination of engineer- designer, businessman, and motor racing
enthusiast.
It is doubtful
whether anyone else could have steered Lotus from a backyard in North London
past so many insurmountable obstacles to its present stature as one of
the world's leading manufacturers of high- performance cars.
There
is no doubt whatsoever that without its competition pedigree the Lotus
marque would have meant little if anything today, and so inevitably this
story, which concludes the first quarter- century of Lotus, is to a great
extent one of motor racing achievements."
.
"But this
is not an undiluted success story, and while I have striven to provide
a comprehensive and accurate record of Lotus accomplishments in motor sport
I have also attempted to reveal some of the trials and tribulations, the
problems and the imperfections of a mushrooming company.
The
collective intensity of these might well have sunk Lotus without a trace
had it not been for Colin Chapman's myriad talents and unbelievable energy,
and his extraordinary ability to inspire loyalty and accomplishments far
beyond reasonable bounds from those around him.
Such has been
his magnetism that even the most outrageous of anti- Chapman stories by
disgruntled ex-employees or associates invariably carry the rider ' ...
but for all that he's a marvelous bloke ', or ' ... but you can't help
admiring him'.
At least some
of the magnitism stems from his sheer guts and determination and his inability
to admit defeat, even when all seemingly has been lost."
.
Doug
Nye - ---------------------------------------
Motor
Racing Journalist ---------
from
his 1972 book:------------
"LOTUS
'61- '71: Design Revolution"--
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"Chapman can
never be replaced by one person in racing car and road car design; perhaps
those times are past.
In retrospect
he was totally wasted messing about with automobiles, much as we all love
them.
He should have
been working on a greater scale, as he had the genius to rival Von Braun
in aerospace or design a better aircraft than the Concorde.
But what luck
for Lotus lovers !!!
.
The
death of Colin Chapman marked the end of an era.
The letters that
go to make up the name Lotus will appear on many cars in the future, but
only time will tell if some new genius emerges to carry on his good work
on road and track.
The
cars were of the Lotus marque but those initials on the badge were ACBC
- Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman !!!
.
Graham
Arnold ----------------------------------------------
Former
Lotus Marketing Director --
from
his 1986 book:------------
"Illustrated
Lotus Buyers Guide"--
.
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The essence
of Lotus is engineering, cars, and motor racing.
Free thinking
and determination produced innovation and success.
Despite limited
resources, Lotus would take on ALL comers and WIN !!!
I think the anti-establishment
nature of Lotus generated an exceptionally dedicated enthusiasm.
The added attraction
of victory was an addictive combination.
.
The Lotus
way was ALWAYS a struggle.
There were tremendous
highs and lows.
I cannot imagine
how my father and his colleagues recovered from some of the dreadful moments.
They must have
been so driven and confident in themselves.
They knew where
they wanted to get to and just went for it.
Clarity of purpose
was tremendously important.
I guessd it was
something like climbing a mountain, only more complicated.
The Lotus marque represents an overwhelmingly positive achievement to which
many people have contributed.
Of course there
are negative elements to the history of Lotus, and these should NOT beforgotten
or ignored.
But things should
be kept in perspective.
The history should
be recalled with the respect it deserves.
I am sure everyone
who was part of it is very proud, and quite rightly so.
.
The
surviving cars are the best monument to to Lotus achievement.
Every
time one is fired up the spirit is kept alive.
... The more cars which are running the better !!!
.
... The history
is a great asset with many potential benefits.
While it is most
important that Lotus is clear about where it is going, I think the chances
of success can be increased considerably by making best use of its glorious
past.
The history of
Lotus should be its 'unfair advantage' for the future.
.
... It is
a worthy testament to my father and all who played a part in which what
has been a great adventure.
.
Lotus
Forever !!!
.
Clive
Chapman------
Ketteringham
Hall, March, 1998----
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**********************************************
And
truer words were never written that have stood the test of time !!!
(It's a shame that the present Managment of Lotus
hasn't taken them to heart.)
JMM------------
Webmaster-----------
John's
Online--------
LOTUS---------
Garage
& Museum----
1995
- 2009---------
.
|
John's
Online LOTUS Garage & Museum
|
..
This website is in no way connected with Lotus Cars, its agents, or any
other affiliated legal entity.
No
rights over any trademarks, tradenames, or registered names is implied.
Information
presented here should not be relied upon as the basis for any action liable
to incur cost or risk in any form upon the website owner, or any of it's
readers.
.
**********************************************
Website
Created By:
Taracomm.Graphics
Using
Netscape
Communicator 4.7
(Crescendo
Plug - In needed for Audio)
.
Site
First Published on 50megs.com: 05/19/1995
.
http://lotus.www.50megs.com/
.
Site
last updated: 10/10/1999
.
Site
Published on FortuneCity.com: 03/18/1997
.
http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/cosworth/633/index.html
.
Site
last updated: 01/25/2011
.
**********************************************
Website
Copyright © Taracomm 1995 - 2011
.
Lotus
Nose Badge, Timeline, Editorial, & Lotus Links
pages
are
Copyright
©
Taracomm 1995 - 2011
All
Rights Reserved
.
Mach
5 page is
Copyright
©
Taracomm 1995 - 2011
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rights Reserved
,
Slot
Racing page is
Copyright
©
Taracomm 2005 - 2011
All
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.
(All
other copyrights revert back to their individual owners)
----------------------------------------------
.
Music:
"Theme From Miami Vice"
by
Jan Hammer
.
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