Colin Chapman's previous attempts at producing a Formula 1 car had been a complete disappointment. Despite being technically advanced, extreme lightness led to numerous structural failures.
In 1960, Chapman decided to start with a clean sheet of paper, assessing the basic requirements for a contemporary Formula 1 car, and identifying how to achieve them in the most straightforward, uncomplicated way. The result was one of Chapman's greatest creations - the Lotus 18 - a trendsetting, rear-engined car that was to set new performance standards from the outset.
Driven by some of the top drivers of the era - including Innes Ireland, Jim Clark, and John Surtees - it was Stirling Moss who made the car's name, winning four Grands Prix, including his sensational victories over Ferrari, against all odds, at Monaco and the N rburgring in 1961.
This book descibes the history of the Lotus 18 throughout its 7-year competition career, via season by season summaries, and provides detailed appendices charting the individual histories of all 28 chassis that were built. Full race results are also presented, along with driver achievements.
Industry Reviews
the book is a well crafted history of a significant car in the development of Grand Prix racing ... It's a good book www.silhouet.com In short, a must-have for fans of classic Formula 1 sport! ... a precious book. Klassiek & Techniek both an invaluable resource for the Grand Prix fanatic and an excellent glimpse into what many call the "Golden Era" of Formula 1. Petrolicious This book deserves a place on the book shelf of any Lotus enthusiast Historic Lotus Register this is a brilliant book for motorsport fans Auto Express [A] comprehensive and superbly produced history ... required reading for not only historians but for all followers of the Lotus marque. Speedscene The book is a delight to read ... definitely something to put on your "wanted" list. Vintage Racecar/Vintage Roadcar Lotus aficionados will clearly want to buy this book but its appeal goes deeper than that with much of interest to those who are of an age to remember the cars in period VSCC Bulletin this is a must have for everyone keen too know more about the early days of Lotus racing. Club Lotus News this book will appeal to the true Lotus aficionando Historic Racing Technology this is a very good addition to any Lotus Library. Classic driver (monthly) Complete with photographs in both monchrome and colour, as well as detailed engineering diagrams, this is a text fit for a car that occupied a pivotal moment in F1 history and influenced future designs, too. Motorsport News Produced in the later (1963) Team Lotus livery of green and yellow, this is an attractive and informative book, which should appeal to anyone with an interest in the rise of British constructors, and Lotus in particular, to the pinnacle of motor racing. BRDC Bulletin
