The story of Lotus is virtually the story of one man, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. In fact, his initials (ACBC) are still part of the brand’s logo today.
In 1948 he built the manufacturer’s first official car while still an engineer for the British Royal Air Force. The first Lotus was built on an Austin Seven frame, and the name chosen for this historic beginning was MK1. It was only four years later, in 1952, that the Lotus Engineering brand was created.
In 1982 Lotus was bought by General Motors and was passed on to the Malaysian group Proton in 1998.
The essence of the Lotus way
Lotus is one of the rare manufacturers that remain true to their origins. In the case of Lotus cars, there has been one ever-present precept since the birth of the brand: Light is right.
Since the very beginning, all Lotus cars have been characterized by extremely light weight. This trait would give them a definite advantage in the races in which the brand would participate after Team Lotus was founded in 1955.
During the Le Mirage Concours d’Elegance held in Terrebonne, on the outskirts of Montreal, visitors and judges could admire a perfect example of the Lotus philosophy embodied by the tiny 1963 23B. The car was once driven by Régis Fraissinet, Daniel Rouveyran and Jose Rosinsk at countless events across Europe. It won the French Championship two years in a row, in 1964 and 1965.
The car’s journey would take it through various owners, tracks and countries. This diminutive 23B strutted its stuff in South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco and Monaco, among other places. Fulfilling the full potential of such a car, it was entered in races in Germany’s Nürburgring, Belgium’s Spa and England’s Silverstone.
Born to race
The 23B is a mid-engine enduro race car built on a tubular frame and aluminum floor. The body is made up of just a few carbon fibre panels. Only 131 units were produced between 1962 and 1964.
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In 1948 he built the manufacturer’s first official car while still an engineer for the British Royal Air Force. The first Lotus was built on an Austin Seven frame, and the name chosen for this historic beginning was MK1. It was only four years later, in 1952, that the Lotus Engineering brand was created.
In 1982 Lotus was bought by General Motors and was passed on to the Malaysian group Proton in 1998.
The essence of the Lotus way
Lotus is one of the rare manufacturers that remain true to their origins. In the case of Lotus cars, there has been one ever-present precept since the birth of the brand: Light is right.
Since the very beginning, all Lotus cars have been characterized by extremely light weight. This trait would give them a definite advantage in the races in which the brand would participate after Team Lotus was founded in 1955.
During the Le Mirage Concours d’Elegance held in Terrebonne, on the outskirts of Montreal, visitors and judges could admire a perfect example of the Lotus philosophy embodied by the tiny 1963 23B. The car was once driven by Régis Fraissinet, Daniel Rouveyran and Jose Rosinsk at countless events across Europe. It won the French Championship two years in a row, in 1964 and 1965.
The car’s journey would take it through various owners, tracks and countries. This diminutive 23B strutted its stuff in South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco and Monaco, among other places. Fulfilling the full potential of such a car, it was entered in races in Germany’s Nürburgring, Belgium’s Spa and England’s Silverstone.
Born to race
The 23B is a mid-engine enduro race car built on a tubular frame and aluminum floor. The body is made up of just a few carbon fibre panels. Only 131 units were produced between 1962 and 1964.
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