Class of 1994

Born in a suburb of London, England in 1928, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman built his first car at age 7, a soapbox racer with independent front suspension. In 1945 Chapman entered the University of London’s College of Engineering where he studied Civil Engineering. While in college Chapman built and raced his first Lotus. After a tour of duty with the Royal Air Force he developed his second Lotus which was followed quickly by his third, a 750 racer.

On January 1, 1952, Chapman founded the Lotus Engineering Company. Between 1960 and 1982, Chapman’s designs won 79 Grands Prix. Lotus race cars won World Championships in 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970 and 1972. At the Indy 500, Lotus came in second in 1963, won in 1965, and placed second in 1966. Chapman won the Formula One Manufacturers Championship in 1963, 1965,1968,1970 and 1972. Lotus won the World Constructors Championship in 1973, and Mario Andretti became World Champion with Lotus in 1978. Chapman gave Nigel Mansell his start in Formula One in 1980. Colin Chapman passed away in 1982.