Colin Chapman
British engineer and founder of Lotus Cars
Born
May 19th, 1928
97 years ago
Died
December 16th, 1982
42 years ago — 54 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
United Kingdom
Links & References
An English engineer and businessman founded Lotus Cars, a marque synonymous with innovative automotive design. Established in 1952, the company gained recognition for its lightweight sports cars and Formula One racing vehicles. The innovative use of materials and engineering principles revolutionized the racing industry. Chapman played a significant role in the development of the Lotus 49, which was the first car to use a rear-mounted engine, leading to numerous successes in Formula One during the 1960s. His contributions to automotive engineering left a lasting legacy, influencing car design well beyond his time.
Founded Lotus Cars in 1952
Developed the Lotus 49 Formula One car
Innovated lightweight automotive design
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