When it comes to small builders, it's impossible not to appreciate the Lotus . Founded in 1948 by Colin Chapman, it has happily never abandoned the founder's approach to the automobile. “Simplify, then add lightness” is the motto that has always summed up Lotus, originating in the process benchmark automobiles such as the Seven, the Elan, or the more recent Elise.
There are 70 years of life, many of them with their existence threatened, but now, in Geely's hands, it seems to have the necessary stability to face the future.
Lotus' 70th anniversary has already been marked by the launch of some special editions of its models; for reaching a significant milestone, the production of your car number 100 000, which could be yours, for just over 20 euros; and now the British brand launches a completely different challenge: that of finding Colin Chapman's first Lotus car, the Lotus Mark I.
Lotus Mark I
The first car to bear the Lotus name was a racing car built by Chapman in his girlfriend's parents' garage in London. Given the limitations of the original car, a modest Austin Seven, the young engineer had the first opportunity to put into practice his theories and principles — which remain valid today — to boost performance and challenge better-prepared rivals.
Nothing was left unscathed in the tiny Austin Seven in the transformation to the efficient Lotus Mark I race car: modified suspension layout and configuration, chassis reinforcement, lightweight body panels and ensuring that components that suffer frequent damage in competition could be quickly replaced . The rear was also extended to include two spare wheels, which allowed for a better weight distribution, ensuring more traction.
Hand-built with the help of friends and his girlfriend, future wife Hazel — and even co-driver — the Lotus Mark I met with immediate success in the first races it competed (in timed races over dirt floors), with the achievement of two wins in your class. A tireless engineer, the lessons learned from the Mark I were quickly put into practice in the development of the Lotus Mark II, which appeared the following year.
Where is the Lotus Mark I?
With the Mark I replaced by the Mark II, Chapman would put the car up for sale in 1950, placing an ad in Motor Sport. The car would be sold in November, and the only thing known about the new owner is that he resided in the north of England. And since then, the trail of the first Lotus made has been lost.
There have been previous attempts to find the car, but so far without success. Lotus now turns to its fans and enthusiasts to find its first car, as we can read in the message Clive Chapman, son of Colin Chapman and director of Classic Team Lotus:
The Mark I is the holy grail of Lotus history. It was the first time my father was able to put his theories for improving performance into practice by designing and building an automobile. Locating this landmark Lotus as we celebrate its 70th anniversary would be a monumental achievement. We want fans to take this opportunity to see in all garages, sheds, barns that are allowed. It's even possible that the Mark I left the UK and we'd love to know if it survives in another country.
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