Colin Chapman in thoughtful mode posed with a model of a Lotus Mk6, the shot is dated September 14, 1963.
I wonder what the purpose of the press visit was? For sure Ronald Dumont, the photographer and perhaps an accompanying motor-noter weren’t there to discuss the Mk6 or the Elite shown in the background.
Chapman’s primary programs that year were winning Lotus’ first F1 World Championship – Chapman’s part-credit for Vanwall’s 1958 Manufacturers Championship victory duly noted – together with Jim Clark and the Lotus 25 Climax, and winning the Indy 500 with Clark, FoMoCo and Lotus 29 Ford. He ticked the first box that year, but not the second, not yet anyway.
I know what the visit would have been about! The Elan was introduced in October 1962, that’s it. Ignoring the fact the car(s) in the shot are a 6 and Elite…
It’s interesting how Ford sought to capitalise on the growing relationship with Lotus, something of a model for partnerships between a major automotive corporate and a more nimble performance specialist firm.
Where would motor racing have been, and historic racing now, without the giant-killing Lotus Ford twin-cam engine in all of its various guises; road, race and in the forests and hills?
Checkout the specifications of a Cosworth modifed twin-cam engine at the end of this piece; Allan Moffat, Single-Seater racer… | primotipo…
Credits…
Ronald Dumont, Getty Images, lotuscortinainfo.com, FoMoCo, Lotus Cars, Ron Hickman – see this piece on Hickman and the Elan; Ron Hickman and the Lotus Elan – The National Motor Museum Trust
Tailpiece…
Jim Clark with his new company car in June 1963. Love the Beetle and old-school parking meter behind, London?
Finito…
primotipo... 