Lotus Books - One for the Library

The Lotus Book by William Taylor

The definitive Lotus book. The detail in this book is amazing, every page has colour photo’s and detail about  numbers and models. The book covers every Lotus from the Mk1 up to the Lotus Elise.  You can find this book for under £40 from a variety of sources.

 

As with Michael’s book on the Lotus 72 the research that has gone into this book is truly astonishing. Nothing is left out and the result is a very detailed history of the Lotus 49 that is very readable and enhanced by the anecdotes by the many people involved. . Highly recommended.

Available on Amazon for about £75.

 

It is over forty years since the author, Michael Costin,  Development Director of Lotus Cars Ltd. at the time, with  David Phipps, technical writer, and automotive artist, James  Allington published the Chassis Designers' Bible.

Available through the internet, however very expensive.

Jim Clark “Life at Team Lotus” Limited edition by Peter Darley

“A superb collection of photo’s from an era when you could get close”
  Taken by Peter Darley who was the official photographer for Team Lotus.

Available through the internet, in the region of £75.

Build Your Own Sports Car by Ron Champion

This was mentioned to me by one of our readers as the guiding light in getting started and has extensive coverage in Australia, South Africa and I sure elsewhere. 

    The history of the Lotus 23 by Graham Capel

A very well researched and detailed book.. It is a complete  record and  history of the Lotus Twenty Three, a definite keeper for the library. Can be bought from many sources for £25. 

Can-Am Challenger by Peter Bryant

Something different , however it’s a terrific book with a history from Lotus to Can-AM

Motor racing historian Ed Mcdonough has taken the original transcripts of Innes' articles, with the co-operation of Jean Ireland, and edited them into this collection of tales, adding many photographs not previously published. They demonstrate the depth of Ireland's passions and his skill as a writer and story teller.

Hugh Haskell is an engineer .He worked for Colin at Lotus during the 1960’s. He contributed to the 20, 22, and 23 racing cars. Under Chapman he was involved with the Ford Lotus Cortina.

He knows his stuff; the theory and practice and conveys it well.

The book is true to its title. It commences with an outline of the fundamental physical and engineering principles .For example the concept of triangulation is explained along with the monocoque [egg shell and cf the Lotus Elite] Details are provided of the backbone Elan chassis. The principle of the Wobbly Web wheel is convincingly explained and illustrated. Haskell then explains the human, personal and creative attributes of Colin Chapman, the collaborators, rivals and peers.

This work is extremely well illustrated and contains references from the early cars through to the modern [at time of press]
With fairness and insight the De Lorean affair is mentioned. [Like Haskell the editors feel that this episode has not been fully explained and doubts remain]

There are chapters on:

• Aerodynamics
• Engines and gearboxes
• Motor Boats
• Industrial Design
• Micro lights

Colin Chapman’s work in industrial design is overshadowed by the cars. This does not do him justice and this is a rare book that explains the diverse items that were probably extrapolated from specialism’s already developed.

The Industrial design included household baths, garden pools window frames furniture with Ron Hickman.”Line Lotus “is believed to have been an intended range for “transit lounges” such as airport lounges and station concourse.

Haskell’s’ book shows a picture and the Archive and Resource has attempted to recreate a model. [Please see website pictures].The design was one piece glass fibre mounted on a tubular frame. They would seem practical durable, hygienic and attractive. However they were not thought to be financially viable.

Colin is also believed to have designed a reclining leather chair with Colin Gething c 1973. This is believed to have won a design award.

A book that covers a lot of ground and gives insight to the engineering, business and diverse design skills of Colin Chapman. It is therefore an important addition and goes a long way to enable a full and complete assessment of Chapman and his considerable achievement amongst designers. Perhaps explaining his pre-eminence.

Useful to a wide source of readers not least those seeking inspiration and thoughts about design methodology. The book is obtainable from various internet sources,however at a hefty price.

Rob Walker by MIchael Cooper-Evans

This book tells the story of Rob Walkers life and  his involvement in Motor Sport  beginning  in the 1930's. There are strong links with Lotus,  the cars, the drivers. the races all  make this a fascinating story. This was a very different era of motor racing and covers drivers ranging from  Moss to Jo Siffert. 

British Racing Green
David Venables

Italian Racing Red.
Karl Ludvisen

Introduction

These two books form part of a series which eventually will have an important comparative value. They have been written in a wide context and this increases their appeal. A standardised format is a useful method of comparison and evaluation.

The books place development in their wider socio economic, geographical and cultural context. The map locations at the front immediately help establish the concentrations of manufacturing and the tendency of the Industrial Revolution to group industries that shared similar structural functions. However the post industrial era has thrown up a different pattern but also sharing same structural factors. As technology changes the past is easily forgotten often at some expense. The books help recall the pride and achievement of areas once at the forefront of engineering technology.

These books help understand the motor racing technology, the cars, circuits, companies, motivations and personalities. Also it perhaps helps explain the impact of competition and technology transfer and Internationalism that crosses boundaries.

The two books selected and available in the Archive and Resource have an attractive range of illustrations .These include period photographs [some extremely atmospheric] technical illustrations, circuit plans and elevation drawings of selected cars.

Overall the books trace the evolution and development from the dawn of motor sort to the present. The have a nice feel and the national identities are reinforced in cover design and colour coding. They are well illustrated and each contains a decent authoritative bibliography.

British Racing Green.

This book features some well and a few lesser known marques:

• Napier
• Sunbeam
• Bentley
• M.G.
• E.R.A
• Aston Martin
• Austin
• Lagonda & Riley
• Alta,H.W.M .Connaught
• B.R.M
• Vanwall
• Cooper
• Jaguar
• Lotus
• Brabham
• Tyrell & March Lola
• Williams
• McLaren

Italian Racing Red.

Although with similarities with a different author there seemed an additional richness in this edition.

The author called attention to the geography and topography of the nation and its impact on the development of the car. Handling and breaking were functional requirements. The Mille Miglia and Tagia Florio are explained in the context of the contributions to the respective local economies and relative ease of road closure in sparsely populated regions.

Ludvigsen also bravely makes reference to the Futurist Movement and the links between art, progress, technology and the wider impact on Italy as it entered industrialisation. In particular offering a description of the Fiat works. This was an ambitious five storey building with a test track on the roof. It was designed by Giacomo Matte-Trucco.  In a similar vein was the Monza Motor racing circuit started c 1922. It employed a work force of approximately 3.5 000.The track was 6.2 miles and located near Milan. Its specification for the time was forward thinking and contained four restaurants, a main grandstand to seat 3,000, overpasses and subways, protective continuous fencing, an Olympic size swimming pool, camping and other facilities. There is a feeling that it was built for the nation and all sections of the community might find some benefit in both the long and short term.

Alf Francis: Racing Mechanic

Motor racing books, in fact automotive books in general, are not usually referred to as a "good read", much less a page turner. This one is. The combination of the outspoken and often stubborn Francis and the efforts of Peter Lewis, who at the time was the Motor Racing Correspondent of "The Observer", creates a vivid, hilarious, and evocative look at racing on the continent in the early 1950s. It is full of not only human stories, but of mechanical woes, and written so well it is almost impossible to put it down.

Second, the British car content, though significant, is by far overshadowed by the descriptions of racing in Italy and France. And in addition to being the chief mech for John Heath, Francis maintained the Whitehead Ferrari F1 car for the 1952 season, and in 1954, was working with the Maserati factory to ensure that the Moss "Green Maserati" was up to the usual Moss/Francis expectations. The tales of the 1954-5 season alone are worth the price of the book.

Alf Francis began his career as a motor racing mechanic, when in 1948, he answered an newspaper ad and applied as a mechanic to John Heath. Despite never having worked on a race car, he was hired, as his resume offered a real plus. Francis was fluent in several different languages, and Heath wanted to go racing on the continent. Francis would be not only the chief mechanic but a team manager who would make all the arrangements necessary for getting a team of racecars through France, Italy, and Germany.

Initially drafted to work on Geoffrey Taylor’s GP Alta, Francis soon became involved in the creation of the H.W.M. Alta, then, by 1950, a complete run of cars to compete in the new Formula 2. During the winter a team of four people worked to construct the cars, working 16 hour days seven days a week. The amount of work was all-encompassing. "We never thought or talked of anything else, not even on those rare occasions when there was time to sit down and have a quiet cup of tea." The conditions at best were primitive, and the base of knowledge of engineering or suspension was so small, at first Francis didn’t even comprehend the essentials of power to weight ratios.

Once completed, Francis hauled the cars through France, and over the Alps (no tunnels then) in a flathead Ford powered truck, prepared them, managed the team and repaired the inevitable damage. Enroute to the 1950 Rome Grand Prix, Francis drove through the Mt. Cenis Pass, got totally lost in Turin, getting help from the Police to find their way out. In Genoa they got lost again, only two have the transporter die on a tramway track. Along came a tram, and all the passengers got out and helped push the truck several hundred yards to safety. "As one Italian explained to me: 'We like to help you because you have racing cars. And anyway we want to get home!'" Francis had more adventures on the road than the drivers did on the track and describes them with both joy and cynicism. Like many, Francis fell in love with the Italians, though he would never have said it that way.

H.W.M. had employed a young man named Stirling Moss, who in turn recognized Alf’s abilities, and when the Moss family purchased a new Maserati 250F (serial number 2508) in early 1954, Francis went to work as the Moss Equipe chief mechanic. "I did not know that I should cover over fifteen thousand miles in the Commer van during that memorable 1954 season, cross the Channel nine times, negotiate the mountain passes of the Alps fifteen times, and cros more than thirty international frontiers in order to deliver the Maserati safely to fifteen major meetings in seven European countries". Arriving at Maserati to coordinate the preparation of the Moss Maserati (seat position, pedals, paint, tires, were all different on the Moss car) Francis met and established lifelong relationships with both Guerino Bertocchi and Fantuzzi. Although the Moss Maserati was an independent, Maserati supported the equipe as if a factory car, for they knew that Moss was by far the best Maserati driver, yet still too inexperienced in F1 to drive for the factory.

Francis had some interesting insights as to the fate of the 250F effort after Moss rather unexpectedly bolted to Mercedes Benz in 1955. "In my opinion, what Stirling did had far-reaching consequences. Had he stayed with Maserati during 1955 I am convinced there would have been a very different approach to the sport that season by Signor Orsi. He might have even produced the V8, but naturally an organization like Maserati is not going to spend a lot of money on development of such a power unit unless there is someone ..(as good as Moss).. to drive the car."
Francis went on to develop the Rob Walker F2/F1 Cooper Climax, which in turn led to him working again with Moss. But the book stops in at the end of 1957 season.

Copy from Veloce today.

COLIN CHAPMAN –Inside the Innovator

Karl Ludvigsen
Haynes Publishing 2010
ISBN: 978 844 254132

The A&R was able to conduct a wider review by taking a copy to the recent Crystal Palace revival sprint. Here several Lotus enthusiasts and indeed authors were able to examine it.
In general there was a positive response.

First impressions are important .The book felt quality in size weight and obvious quantity of illustrations. The cover design and first flip through reminded me of Hugh Haskell’s “Colin Chapman’s Lotus “ and Terry and Baker’s “Racing Car Design and Development” Perhaps these first impressions were reinforced by the colour scheme and excellent numerous photographs and illustrations.

One of the significant features of this book is that Karl has had access to Colin Chapman archive held by classic Team Lotus. Karl has included many of the drawings made by Colin’s hand. I believe these to be important and list them:

1. Lotus 30 family range proposal dated 3/10/1963
2. Transaxle detail dated c 1957
3. Schematic layout of Indianapolis single seater dating from mid 1960’s.
4. Schematic layout of F1 single seater c1977
5. Hub designs dating from late 1970’s
6. Sketch of “Optimal basic structure”
7. Future specification of F1 car c 1975
8. Venturi for Type 80

I personally thought the strengths of Karl’s book are:

1. The historical comparisons and tracing of some earliest origins.
2. The overall level, quality, and variety of illustrations, diagrams etc
3. The period photographs
4. The personal photographs of Colin that covers the progress of his life in motor sport. These can be seen reflecting the real man; his concerns, triumphs, failures, highs, lows and the ever-present determination.

In addition I liked the inclusion of the commendation that accompanied the award of the Ferodo Trophy. This ought be read and appreciated as a significant benchmark.

Karl’s inclusion of a substantial bibliography is both a measure of his impartiality and provides useful cross-reference whilst suggesting lines of enquiry.

My personal favourite chapters were No1. Conceiving Concepts and No12 Coda to Chapman. Here Karl is able to introduce some extremely important and valuable comparisons. For instance perhaps for the first time Colin Chapman has been compared with Brunel. Controversial as this might be I believe it to be extremely important not only as a means of impartial analytical comparison but also as a means of appreciating that engineers have aesthetic sensitivities often well defined ad that further more they contribute to a nations wealth and technological progress.

In particular I liked the inclusion of quotations form Setright

“The Lotus is a machine for driving as a house by Corbusier is a machine for living” and later suggesting the basis of the Lotus appeal in that it appeals to
“ To those that have sensual and cerebral appreciation…”

Karl developed this them and made further reference and comparison of Colin Chapman and   the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

This approach is justified on several intellectual levels and they cannot be ignored. Colin Chapman was a qualified structural engineer [and could have just as easily pursued a career is this field and or the built environment.] often substituting for architects in designs determined by structural calculations.
Colin and the architects mentioned had significant aesthetic appreciation and Colin’s drawings mentioned earlier indicate that he could articulate this. Perhaps too often in the past it has been assumed that engineers have little soul or somehow lack a cultural appreciation. In Colin’s case this is untrue. The evidence would suggest within Colin existed an artist as nearly all his creations might be classed as rolling sculpture and more beautiful as a result of their functionality. He wished to imbue his creations with more than utility and his design mantra was for elegance.

At the A&R we feel that this aspect ought be given more prominence and dissemination.

Although Karl makes comparison with these famous architects my personal assessment is that Colin might have had affinity with the Bauhaus School and their discipline of form and function and their concern for lightness and structural purity. Both the architects and Colin had their failures but these were often part of idealism in searching and experimenting with new concepts.
“ A man who never made a mistake never made anything”

These are themes to which we will often return at the A&R.

We welcome the addition of Colin Chapman – Inside the Innovator to our library. We will make reference to it in the future. In the meanwhile if any of our users are having difficulties obtaining a copy or would like further clarification please contact us.

Author John Scott-Davies

Innes Ireland – Motor Racing today

A wonderful book. Any book that starts the Lotus chapter with, “For my personal transport I use a Lotus Elite. Quite frequently on my travels , both in Great Britain and abroad, I see other Elites on the road and I constantly have to remind myself that these superb motor cars came into being only ten years after the birth of the first Lotus”.

Just has to be good.

Published in 1961at 13s 6d! I found this on EBay for £7.00

 

Grand Prix Bugatti

H.G.Conway.

Foulis 1968

This is a beautiful book commensurate with the subject.

The editor admires it for its technical content and the quality of the engineering drawings.

Both the quality and quantity are extraordinary and almost alone inspire and inform. It’s an extremely generous contribution and insight that perhaps could not be gained by any other means.

This review is relatively short as perhaps the greatest value lies in the technical drawings.

This work is included as it complements our article on the “Motoring Icons of the 20C” and emphasises how both Bugatti and Chapman strove for mechanical efficiency through lightness.

The book is divided into two main parts:

Part 1: Racing History
Part2: Design and Construction

Also included are:
Appendix1: Technical Data
Appendix 2:Factory data
Index.

In his introduction Conway explains:
“This is the story of the GP type 35B racing car, its origins, design creation, its racing history and its eclipse…

No racing car before or since has been held in such high esteem…More a work of art than engineering triumph.”

In all approximately 400 cars were built.

In Part 2. Chapter 14 –The Engine

Conway outlines

“The general layout of the Bugatti Type 35 engine gives it a unique appearance, so tall and narrow is the cylinder block and camshaft arrangement …
The characteristic feature…is the square cut rectangular box arrangement without rounded edges to the main components.”

Some of the Detailed Drawings included are:

Front axle
Chassis layout schematic drawing
Facsimile of E.Bugatti pencil sketch
Type 51 General arrangement Drawing
Elevation and section Type 35 engine
Full ball and roller crank GP car
Plan view cylinder head
Type 51 inclined valve
Chassis longerons
Supporting photography
Front hubs
Detachable wheel rim
Half section Type 51 well base wheel
Type 37 and 35A radiators.
Assembly of dashboard Type 35

Specialist Sports Cars*
Richard Heseltine.
Haynes 2001
ISBN: 185960693.

This is a good book. It us relevant to Lotus history as it covers many of the major competitors. These can be better assessed and analysed in both competition and commercial terms.

It is also a piece of social and technological history of motoring. There was a dearth of specialists in the immediate post war period, now most lost and a very different turnkey approach exists.  

The editor liked:

• Thorough coverage
• Good model range covering road and race
• Period memorabilia illustrations
• Photographs and engineering drawings / illustrations
• The record of geographical locations were these specialist were based [noting the significance of London]

I think it helps to list the marques that are featured:

• Berkley
• Britannia
• Clan
• Costin
• Deep Sanderson.
• Diva
• Elva
• Fairthorpe
• Falcon
• Gilbern
• Ginetta
• Gordon Keeble
• GSM
• Lenham
• Lotus
• Marcos
• Ogle
• Peerless
• Piper
• Probe
• Rochdale
• Tornado
• Trident
• Turner
• TVR
• Unipower
• WSM

There is also mention of some significant “Show Cars” and these include:

• Ikenga [David Gittens 1968 body by Williams & Pritchard?]
• Quest   [Derek Meddings c 1968]
• Siva [S530] [Neville Trickett c 1971]
• Probe 15. [Dennis Adams c 1969]

Some were just one off  but they had an impact on aesthetic design and were influential concepts often overlooked but sometimes their design clues appearing else where.

Indirectly this book through the cars tells a story of the personalities, engineering and changing regulation.
It’s worth the effort to appreciate the range, quality and contribution to motor racing, and perhaps to rekindle the sense of innovation, improvisation and invention that many of these small manufacturers possessed.

Further research can be achieved via the Internet.

From Drawing Board to Chequered Flag (Hardcover)
 

Tony Southgate's career as an engineer and designer covered what  to many was the most interesting period of motor racing. His cars were fast, innovative and looked great. This book brings it to life in a very readable way. Definitely one for the library.

Autocourse 1966

This is an attractive volume with quality in period photographs and good quality technical information.
Chapters are devoted to:

• The 1.5L Formula I by David Phipps
• The 1965 Grand Prix cars Specification
• Progress in Racing Tyre Design by PD Patterson
• The Women behind them by Elizabeth Hayward.[ see below]

The 1966 edition is poignant as it has a forward by Jim Clark and a particularly charismatic photograph of the 1965 World Champion.
In his forward Clark remarks
“Glad to see drivers wife’s and girl friends getting due recognition”
The 1960’s was an era of women’s liberation and it was refreshing to see this article.
In fact Elizabeth Hayward provides a deeply moving analysis in its warmth, frankness and reality.
Hayward is unflinching in explaining the emotions, moods and discomforts of supporting a racing driver. She explains in unsentimental language the real love required to continue to support a man with the emotional highs and lows and the necessary egotism of a top racing driver. Of the women she explains that a mistress has the worst involvement.
Hayward goes on to outline the success and scarifies required
“Life with a racing driver is full of excitement, stress, separation, boredom and exasperation”
She gives brief biographies of:

• Bette Hill
• Pat Surtees
• Helen Stuart
• Pat McLaren
• Arleo Gurney
• Betty Brabham
• Greeta Hulme

The editor was impressed and obtained a previously unknown insight as a result of this article and it is hoped to include like references in forthcoming articles.
The archive and Resource acquires books for the purpose of research, information, pleasure, photographic record, technical detail and dissemination.
If any subscribers require a particular reference from any book within the archive please make a request.
At the same time that Autocourse 1966 was acquired the following were added to the library.

• PhotoFormula 1 1953-1978
• Ronnie Peterson by Alan Henry with RP [ to be reviewed shortly]
• Grand Prix for British Racing Drivers Club 1968/69
• The Encyclopedia of Motor Sport ed by Georgano
• Automobile Sport 81.82
• Grand Prix Motor racing 1906-1951 by William Court.

Jim Clark was the Autocourse 1966 number 1

Photo Wikipedia

** This edition has been seen at well over £100!!**

Pit Stop.1953
Starting from Scratch .1954* [ price 3/6]
Loud Pedal. 1956*                          do

Raymond Groves
An Autosport Publication. London

Introduction by Gregor Grant, Editor of Autosport.

Brief Introduction

The editor believes these little volumes are worthy of mention on several levels of interest.

• They capture the era with precision and humour and are complementary to photographs and reports. They are also form a short hand for the mores of the era.
• As such they help anyone attempting to recreate atmosphere.
• They are worthy inclusions and have a cross over with our section on Motor Sport Art.
• Motor Racing can be extremely dangerous and technical .It is refreshing to see it with a funny perspective and this overlaps with other book reviews we have provided on humour in the sport.
• Raymond Groves has been underestimated and its nice to record his relative achievement
• In Loud Pedal many of the cars portrayed are easily identified as Lotus Elevens.

The editor was assisted in this article by looking up Raymond Groves on the Internet.

Brief Biography

It is believed that Groves was born c 1913 and that he was second son of Walter Groves founding editor of “Motor”.
He may have studied at Regent Street Polytechnic in London. It’s possible that he was apprenticed to Bryan De Grineau [see our Art in Motor sport series]. Groves was a soldier during the Second World War.
His most creative period was during the 1940’s and 50’s and his work is redolent of Fleet Street cartoon style of this period.

Groves was a versatile artist. He worked in watercolours and his work has appeared at auction. He also attempted portraits, landscape, murals, posters and various commissions including Christmas Cards.

Raymond Groves did not achieve the same acclaim as Russell Brockbank but in many respects he was an equal talent. Some of the work in period was sexist as the postcards of McGill and full of suggestion and innuendo. His sketches are able to capture and characterize the “usual suspects “ of the era. The pretty girls, arch-enthusiast, know-alls, little Hitler’s and simple souls and the all the officials and mechanics associated with motor sport. [In fact Tales from the Toolbox would be a complementary read]

His work conforms to the principle of a good cartoon in that captions are rarely needed. They are fully self-explanatory. Neither does he hurt or insult but looks at the funny side and often the bad luck of others in which we rejoice.

Gregor Grant suggests much of the value of his work is that it also helps explain much of the manners of the English, which is achieved through his facile pen and pencil.

Starting from Scratch and Loud Pedal

The jacket covers to both are steeped in the cartoonists cannon. Graphic image and restricted colour palette. In these two cases red, yellow and black on white paper. Signed with Raymond Groves’s distinctive signature in bottom right hand side.

The author can reverse the process and with a few simple words or sentences conjure visual images before the reader.

1.Two single seat GP cars on starting line. Starter holding up sign indicating two minutes to go. One driver calmly, unperturbed, nonchalantly smokes a quality cigar.

2.A cold winter snow covered race day. An enthusiast [and his wife] duffle coat, cloth cap pipe and bushy moustache warms his feet on the external radiator of the Vanwall. Mechanic looks exasperated.

3.Driver of central seat cooper Bobtail operates a wire hand signal semaphore

4. London to Brighton run. Group in veteran car pass by. Two teddy boys forced to look up, laugh and jeer. Occupants look down in mild toleration. No comment to this item all said in body language.

5.In 1956 edition there are both direct and indirect references to Lotus Elevens.
One depicts a Le Mans start. The Lotus driver is seen to continue running along the bonnet. The suggestion being the car is so low there is nothing to climb over.

Date: 26/02/2011
Title: World Car Catalogue. Models of 1967 and 1968.
Author: Edited by Sergio D’ Angelo
Publisher &Date: Automobile club of Italy. Iliffe Books Ltd, London.
ISBN:

The A&R has just acquired two volumes in the series. Both are hardback with dust jacket and supplements.
The objective of the A&R is to disseminate and research material relating to Colin Chapman and Lotus Cars. The secondary objective is to objectively assess the achievements of Chapman by comparison and analysis.
The World Car Catalogues make a major contribution to this as their format permits a consistent comparison from an international cross section of manufacturers.
These books are extremely factual but also contain extremely good photographs in black and white and colour. These are enhances with technical drawings, diagrams. Each book has the following:

• A brief biography of each manufacturer
• Index of manufacturers names
• Index by country
• Index by speed
• Index by price

The specification of each car is uniform and provides ease of cross-reference. The headings adopted are:

• Brief specification and price
• Engine
• Transmission
• Chassis
• Steering
• Brakes
• Electrical Equipment
• Dimensions and Weights.
• Body
• Performance
• Practical Instructions [settings]
• Variations and Optional Accessories

The editor would select for interest these examples from the 1968 edition:

• Fiat Abarth 595 SS
• Fiat Abarth OT 1300 Coupe
• Alpine Berlinete Tour de France
• Bizzarrini GT Europa 1900 * [little publicised]
• Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300
• Fiat Giardiniera
• Glass 1300 GT
• Lamborghini P400
• Lotus Elan Coupe
• Lotus Europa
• Lotus Elan 2+2
• Mini Marcos GT 850
• Marcos 1500
• Mazda 110S Cosmo Sport
• Oldsmobile Toronado
• Sabra Sport Coupe
• Sovram 1300GS
• Toyota 2000 GT Coupe
• TVR Vixen 1600
• Sabaru 360 De Lux Sedan.

Prototypes:

• Fiat Abarth 2000
• Alfa Romeo 33
• Alpine Renault Gordini
• Lola Aston Martin
• Chaparral 2F
• Ferrari 330 P4
• Ford GT 40 Mk IV
• Porsche 910

Special Coachwork

• Bertone: Fiat 850 Convertible Lusso
• Lamborghini: Marzal
• Ghia: De Tomaso Mangusta
• Pininfarina: BMC Aerodynamic Saloon
• Ferrari Dino 206 GT

These volumes are extremely useful reference material and perhaps balance on the cusp of change at the end of the 1960’s Renaissance in motorcar design and manufacture. They are of importance to designers, historians [social, technical, commercial] and provide a resource to other creative arts and media.
They have also entered the library at a time when we shortly run a series of articles that will draw upon their contents.
The editor would recommend that these volumes might also be studied in context of the www.carblueprints website which will permit an almost entire physical, technical, aesthetic and design appreciation to be conducted.

Note. This is the front cover of the 1969 edition rather than the 67/68.

Extracts and information from the A&R library available on request.

-----------------------------------

AUTHOR: Phillip Parfitt
TITLE: Racing at Crystal Palace 1927-1972
PUBLISHER: Motor Racing Publications
DATE: 1991
ISBN:0947981381
ARCHIVE AND RESOUCE COPY: YES /

This is a useful book that has become more relevant as a result of the sprint revival.
[Readers might like to see A&R articles: Lotus on Track – Crystal Palace and Report of 2010Sprint]
The editor will have a copy at this year’s meeting and it will help illustrate along with other material and exhibits Lotus competition and participation on this South London circuit.
Crystal Place and Brooklands both have prewar connections .It might be debated that Crystal Place has the claim to be the London home circuit due to its proximity, and continuation post war through the dominant years of British motor racing in the 1960’s. As such Crystal Palace also forms a link with the Motor sport industry based in London and its environs. Not least Lotus at Hornsey only 10-12 miles north of Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace has a rich and diverse racing tradition including motor cycles and Parfitt is even handed in his coverage.
Parfitt traces the circuit’s history in chronological order and chapters evolve:

1. Sir Joseph Paxton’s Greenhouse
2. Motorcycling Comes to Crystal Palace
3. Cinders ,Speedway and The Glaziers
4. Purpose Built Road Racing Track
5. Crystal Palace in Post War Guise
6. Crystal Palace in Racings Golden Era
7. Crystal Palace on Borrowed Time 1970-1972

Parfitt also includes an appendix.
This work is readable and informative. It discusses the magnificent Crystal Palace and its sad demise from Victorian splendor and magnificent engineering.  Parfitt includes some good aerial photographs which along with site plans enable the reader to understand the fitting of the buildings into a distinctive landscape [plateau and slope] and the track which has variation and gradients. The editor often postulates what if Colin Chapman had become an architect. It’s almost certain that he would have produced building with parallels to the Crystal Palace with their grace, lightness and framework construction.
Parfitt also provides some background of the politics and possible ulterior motives that undermined the circuit. This seems particularly short sited as other decisions where long term  vision  is easily  killed against short term  but ultimately  both cultural and financial loss [ had the crystal Place survived etc tourism would have been significant in an area that has suffered industrial  and employment loss.]
The editor’s review concentrates on motor sport and the period of Lotus participation.
Chapter 5.
This covers the period 1953-59. At this time the old LCC [London County Council] was managing the site .Residents objected to noise levels and took out an injunction. Racing was restricted. The “New Link” was added [see circuit plan] and the track was 1.39 miles ling.
On Whit-Monday, 23 May 1953 42.4k spectators attended
September 19th 1953 was significant in Lotus history as it witnessed the epic battle of Colin Chapman in the MK VI against the OSCA.
In 1957 Archie Scott-Brown raced a Lister at the track and made very favorable comments [see A&R article Lotus on track: Crystal Palace.
Saloon car racing became very popular during this period and drivers like Graham Hill competed in Speedwell Conversions etc.
In 159 it’s noted that Lotus drivers such as Alan Stacey and Michael Taylor competed with Elva’s, Kift’s and Tojeiro’s.
Parfitts work includes some attractive and informative photographs. For example
Dick Steed Lotus Mk VIII
Peter Gethin Lotus 23
Colin Chapman and Jim Clark etc
Chapter 6
Covers 1960-1969. This witnesses the redevelopment to include the National Sports and Leisure Centre. Parfitt devotes detailed attention to this subject and its worth reading and applying to broader considerations.
Although he considers it to be the beginning of the end. 30,000 spectators attended in June 1960.
Circa 1965 the LCC changed to the GLC [Greater London Council].
On the 7th June 1965 the BRSCC International Meeting was held.
 Lotus would be well represented including Lotus Cortina’s.
Readers will  recall that the in the 1960s London seemed to be the centre of World culture and the “Swinging Sixties”  were in full flood with the likes of Carnaby street, Beatle mania, Mini Car and Mini skirt. London was the epicenter of music, fashion and particularly motor sport with its concentration of drivers, manufactures, sponsors and specialist engineers.
Parfitt notes it was the rich and diverse era and eclectic mix of cars competed at Crystal Palace such as Mallock U2’s, Chevron’s; ford GT40’s Lola type 70’s, Ferrari P2 and Gold Leaf Team Lotus Type 47 Europa etc.
Various Rally events were staged at the Palace and the BBC provided coverage.
Chapter 7
Is devoted to the final brief years and the impact of safety and the circuit became embroiled in politics and redevelopment.
Whilst the debate raged the circuit hosted exhibitions themed to motorsport. These provided family entertainment opportunities.
Sadly in 1971 the GLC announced the closure.
Parfitt includes an appendix of the names and lap records. The editor summaries these:
Tony Rolt: Connaught
Roy Saladori”Connaught
Reg Parnell: Ferrari
Stirling Moss: Maserati
Jack Brabham: Cooper Climax
Graham Hill: Lotus Climax
Innes Ireland: Lotus BRM
Denny Hulme: Brabham Honda
Jacky Ickx: MatraFord
Jocken Rindt: Lotus Ford
Jackie Stewart: Brabham Ford
Emmerson Fittipaldi: Lotus Ford
Mike Hailwood: Surtess Ford
Parfitt includes an information panel that refers to one of the conservation groups having an interest in the Place:
The Crystal Place Foundation, 84 Anerley Hill, SE19, 2AH .They have a small museum our readers might like to visit, although motor sport is not featured.

Date: 10/10/2011
Title: “Jim Clark: Portrait of a Great Driver”
Author: Graham Gould
Publisher &Date: The Hamlyn Publishing Group.1968
ISBN:

The editor does not normally like biographies of racing drivers. They often tend to be a catalogue of race results that could be obtained elsewhere. Or they suffer like monographs of the great artists with a diary of when paintings were completed and totally fail to explain the source of the genius and inspiration.
However Gould’s book is rich and insightful. This is possible due to the balanced range of opinions that were sought and canvassed and as result this relatively small book is a gem.

Further more it records the impressions of those who new and had direct contact with Jim Clark then and their thoughts are not filtered through a prism of time. It also draws out contradictions and provides useful highlights.

The volume of 200 odd pages also contains a considerable amount of information about Colin Chapman and Lotus and this further contributes to its significance.

In summary Gould’s book contains:

The contributors and respective chapters are:

The editor invites or subscribers to read this book and to wet the appetite a few brief but pertinent quotations and observations are included.

From Graham Hill [Driver, peer competitor and team-mate and friend]
“He was a natural athlete, he had outstanding muscular coordination; he had rhyme, his judgement was excellent and his reactions were fast”

“He had superb control over his machine and a very intelligent approach to his racing .He applied this to the technicalities and got to know how to explain everything to Colin”

From John Surtees
“Chapman remember had not only driven cars and driven then extremely quickly but he was also technically minded. With his background he understood Jimmy’s reactions to the cars and could interpret almost anything Jimmy described even though Jimmy didn’t know what it was technically. This is what made them such a strong team.”

From Colin Chapman.
“Lotus was just getting into Grand Prix racing, Jimmy was getting into Grand Prix racing. The fact therefore that we were both learning together made our association very interesting and so very fruitful.”

“As we went along, too he developed a superb technical knowledge ………after a while I was able to interpret his expressions regarding the car, its handling and its requirements…and this made it easier for me to develop better motor cars.”

“I have been thinking very much about Jimmy and racing drivers and trying to analyse what really made him made him so much better at his business than the others and I think it must boil down to that he just had a very very superior intellect.”

“I feel that although he was pre-eminent as a racing driver .I do not feel this is the biggest credit to Jim Clark.
I think that his most profound influence certainly on me and all his business associates was not his ability as arcing driver but his success as a man……..
Integrity is the best single word to describe his qualities. This is a man I shall always remember, not simply a man who won a record number of races. He was a man who set examples to others.”