Lotus, the legendary British sports car maker founded in 1948, has taken the automotive world by surprise with the debut of the Type 66, a track-only car.
A memorial celebrating the "wonderful" life of trailblazing Hazel Chapman, co-founder of Lotus, was held at East Carleton Manor, near Wymondham in Norfolk.
This week, on May 21 to be exact, Hazel Chapman turns 94. To describe her as merely ‘Colin Chapman’s wife’ is to do her an incredible disservice - in reality she is the co-founder of Lotus, a successful racing driver, a shrewd businesswoman and the rock upon which the Lotus foundations – since 1948, when the very first Lotus car was made – have been solidly built.
Hazel Williams was born on May 21, 1927 in North London. She met Colin Chapman at a dance in 1944 when he was just 16 and she a few months older. They immediately hit it off and Hazel could immediately see something special about her new boyfriend.
9 November 2011 11:05 pm / 42 comments
The long-running Lotus vs Lotus saga is over – the fight that ended up in court has reached an amicable ending. Proton, Group Lotus, 1Malaysia Racing Team and its owner Tony Fernandes have announced – delightfully, the statement said – that the legal dispute in the English Courts relating to the ‘Lotus” and ‘Team Lotus’ brands has now ended on a happy note, with the parties agreeing settlement terms earlier this month.
The terms of the settlement are confidential, but the deal sees the ‘Lotus’ brand reunited under the sole ownership of Group Lotus. This includes the rights to the ‘Lotus’ and ‘Team Lotus’ names in Formula 1 motor racing. The deal also sees a working relationship established between the parties, who will work together on future projects in the automotive field.