The Authorised Biography by Gerrard Crombac.

From small beginnings in North London in 1947, Colin Chapman went on to build the world-famous, multi-million pound Lotus car company. He also established himself, in Jackie Stewart's words, as 'the greatest, most creative designer of racing cars in the history of motor racing'. Written with the full co-operation of his widow and the Lotus company, and reissued to meet continuing public interest, this is the definitive biography of the brilliant engineer described by Enzo Ferrari as 'so talented because of his ability to produce ideas ahead of his time'.

Colin Chapman’s contribution to the post-war world of international motor racing was immeasurable. From his first steps as a car designer in 1947, when he acquired a second-hand Austin Seven Tourer around which  his first Lotus ‘special’ was based, to his highly  sophisticated road and racing cars of the 19805,  Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman, CBE, FRSA, set  trends, broke records and achieved remarkable  success.  His sudden death in December 1982 stunned friends, colleagues and the whole of the motor  and motor racing industries. For Chapman was an institution, his energy and enthusiasm legendary, his sometimes zany exploits and  sense of humour both delightful and infuriating.  Besides his engineering skills, he was a superb driver, an outstanding pilot, a crack marksman and an experienced yachtsman.  Yet it is for his cars that he will best be remembered. The original Lotus Elites, Elans  and Europas of the early '60s set exceptional  standards of performance and, after the  company went public in the late 1960s,  Chapman took the marque more up market with  the new Elite, the Eclat and the central-engined  Esprit.  In the international world of motor racing, the Lotus Grand Prix cars became world famous, winning seven World Championship for  Constructors’ cups and six World Championship  for Drivers’ titles, a unique record which, in  recent years, can only be compared with  Ferrari’s.  This absorbing book, illustrated with many  hitherto unpublished photographs from the  Chapman family and other private collections,  written with the full co-operation of both Colin  Chapman's widow and the Lotus company, is the  definitive authorized biography of the man Enzo  Ferrari describes in his foreword as ‘so talented  because of his ability to produce ideas ahead of  his time’.  Gérard (‘Jabby’) Crombac was a close friend of Colin Chapman throughout his life, having  bought one of the earliest Mk Vl Lotus sports  cars in 1953. He is the editor of the Paris-based magazine Sport Auto.