Overview
Renowned as one of the greatest creative forces in the world of the automobile, Lotus's Colin Chapman (1928-82) left a mixed legacy. Was he an unparalleled innovator or an uninhibited exploiter of the uncredited ideas of others? In this landmark book, celebrated author Karl Ludvigsen gets to grips with the legend, digging deep beneath the skin of Chapman and his cars to explore and expose the motivations that drove this mercurial and controversial genius. Interviews with key figures in the Chapman story mesh with information from the author's extensive archives to make this book a unique and compelling encounter between the engineer-innovator and the historian-investigator. Originally published in 2010, the book has become a standard text, not only on the man but also on the evolution and design of racing cars. Thus it is being reissued to meet continuing popular demand.
Full Product Details
Author: Karl Ludvigsen ,
Emerson Fittipaldi
Publisher: Evro Publishing
Imprint: Evro Publishing
ISBN: 9781910505649
ISBN 10: 1910505641
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 01 June 2021
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
In his book on Chapman, Karl Ludvigsen takes a close look a the business and aerodynamic details - good and bad - that defined the man, and he comes up with and oft-told tale: that of the hero with the feet of clay. In the topical stakes, though, with a Bahar-led Lotus looking to reignite the company torch (some of which was originally done with stolen fire), the book will ultimately provide a compelling contrast between the Hethel of then and the one of now. - Autoblog.com
"""In his book on Chapman, Karl Ludvigsen takes a close look a the business and aerodynamic details - good and bad - that defined the man, and he comes up with and oft-told tale: that of the hero with the feet of clay. In the topical stakes, though, with a Bahar-led Lotus looking to reignite the company torch (some of which was originally done with stolen fire), the book will ultimately provide a compelling contrast between the Hethel of then and the one of now."" - Autoblog.com"
Author Information
Karl Ludvigsen is widely known and respected in the automotive world for his research and reporting on all aspects of motoring and motor sports. This has come about through his studies of engineering and industrial design as well as his positions with GM, Fiat and Ford and his leadership of a motor-industry management-consulting company. He has been active for over 60 years as an author and historian, first meeting Colin Chapman at the 1958 Italian Grand Prix. He observed his work closely thereafter, especially as a fly on the wall during development of the revolutionary Lotus 78. As author, co-author or editor he has some five dozen books to his credit, all concerning cars and the motor industry, his life-long passion. Ludvigsen has received 60 awards for his works' high standard of writing and research. He lives in Suffolk.
