Colin Chapman: Founder Of Lotus Cars

Colin Chapman

1928-1982

Lotus Founder
&
Formula One Pioneer

A Passion For Sports Cars & Rolex Day-Date

Colin Chapman pictured above in 1981

Colin Chapman was born in 1928 and passed away in 1982 at the young age of 54. They say the candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long, which was likely the case with Chapman. Colin was a highly influential British designer, inventor, and automotive industry maverick that left his mark upon Formula One racing.

Colin Chapman pictured above in an early Lotus

Colin Chapman made his first Lotus, which he called the Lotus MK1, from a modified Austin 7 in 1948. From 1948 to 1951 Chapman made what he refered to as Mark 1 to Mark 3 Lotus models.

In 1952, Chapman founded the Lotus Car Company and began making his own cars.  Chapman was a revolutionary designer in the world of Formula One innovation. In the early years of Lotus Chapman raced his cars, but later focused on the engineering marketing sides of the business.

Among many of his innovative achievements was using struts as a rear suspension device. Colin Chapman once famously said, "Adding power makes you faster on the straights and subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

Colin Chapman is pictured below with Formula One race car driver Jim Clark who was from Scotland. James Clark the world championship in 1963 driving his Lotus 25, after having earned the maximum number of points for that season.

Jim Clark and Colin Chapman.

Jim Clark won the Formula One championship in 1965 for Lotus. Unfortunately, he was killed in an accident in 1968 racing in a Lotus at the Hockenheimring in Germany, and Colin Chapman said at the time he had lost his best friend.

Colin Chapman is pictured below with Peter Warr who Colin chose in late 1969 to be Team Lotus' Competition Manager in Formula One. Clark led Team Lotus to World Championship victory in 1970 with Jochen Rindt, and again in 1972 with Emerson Fittipaldi. Warr left Lotus in 1976 and returned after Chapman's death to become the team boss.

Colin Chapman is pictured below in 1972 with then Brabham team leader Bernie Ecclestone at the Formula One South African Grand Prix. Bernie Ecclestone would go on to become the CEO of the Formula One Group.

Before Colin Chapman motorsports and Formula One was considered a wealthy man's sport. Colin changed that with his concept of sponsorship liveries. Meaning he was a pioneer in branding race cars with sponsors advertising their names and decals on Formula One cars, which became moving advertisements—a tradition in full force today.

Roger Moore

The Spy Who Loved Me

One of Colin Chapman's greatest coup was a getting a Lotus Esprit Coupe placed in the epic 1977 James Bond movie name The Spy Who Loved Me which starred Roger Moore as James Bond. 

The Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved me was no ordinary Lotus as it was not only a car but a submarine!

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla owns the actual Lotus Esprit that was used in The Spy Who Loved Me, and this is ironic as the first Tesla ever made, which was the Tesla Roadster was built upon a Lotus chassis.

The first image one of the publicity stills associated with the James Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me." If I understand it correctly, it was used in as a publicity still but not shown completely in the film. 

Ironically, Roger Moore is wearing a Rolex GMT-Master, as opposed to a Rolex Submariner, which we usually see him wear when he played James Bond.

Roger Moore is pictured below in what I believe is a Lotus magazine ad for the Lotus Esprit Turbo.

Colin Chapman would become involved with John Delorean in the development of Delorean's highly controversial DMC-12. The Delorean DMC-12 was basically a Lotus Esprit in disguise, and if you look closely you will notice the cabin and rear dimensions are almost identical. The difference is that the Lotus has a much more cab-forward design.

If you think about it, it is ironic that both the DeLorean DMC-12 and original Tesla Roadster were built on a Lotus chassis.

Colin Chapman's Rolex Day-Date featured a champagne dial with diamond markers as seen in the photo below.

As we see in the photo below, Colin is pictured sporting his trademark yellow gold Rolex Day-Date which kept the time of his life. From my research findings, it appears he began wearing his Rolex Day-Date sometime around late 1969 and wore it until he passed away in 1982.

"To add speed, add lightness." –Colin Chapman

Rolex Coolness: Niki Lauda

Formula 1 Legend

Niki Lauda
1949-2019

The Miracle Man

Niki Lauda's Formula 1 racing career saw the highest highs and the lowest lows and back in 2019 he breathed his last breath and stepped back into eternity. 

His story is an amazing example of great achievement in the eye of diversity. Niki was born Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda on February 22, 1949 in Vienna, Austria.

Niki Lauda is pictured below in 1973 racing a BMW 3.0CSL during the Spa 24 Hours.

Niki Lauda is pictured below racing in a BMW M1 in 1979 @ Zandvoort.

Niki Lauda's career racing achievement is amazing as he won the F1 World Championship three times (1975, 1977, & 1984). Niki Lauda raced for the Ferrari team from 1974 to 1977, and later moved to race for McLaren. He remains the only Formula 1 driver to have been a champion with both Ferrari and McLaren.

In 1976, a week prior to the German Grand Prix held at the treacherous Nurburgring Nordschleife track, Niki Lauda attempted to boycott the race due in large part to the lack of safety considerations and most of the other drives voted against Lauda, so the race was held.

In a bizarre twist of fate, Lauda's Ferrari swerved off the track because its rear suspension failed and his car hit an embankment and burst into flames, trapping Lauda in his car.

Before Lauda could be pulled out of his car, he suffered severe burns and inhaled highly toxic fumes which severly damaged his lungs and blood. Lauda went into a coma in the hospital and a priest administered last rites.

In what appeared to be nothing short of a miracle, Niki Lauda made it out of the coma and came back to life and even continued his racing career. In the photo below we see Niki Lauda awarding Arturo Merzario a yellow gold Rolex he won when setting pole position at the 1976 Monaco Grand Prix. Niki wanted to award Arturo the watch as a token of appreciation for saving his life.

Niki Lauda is pictured below with fellow legendary Formula 1 race car driver, Alain Prost who is sporting his two-tone Rolex Datejust.

In this next photo, taken on May 1, 1994 we see Niki Lauda speaking with McLaren Brazilian Formula One champion Ayrton Senna just hours before a tragic racing accident Senna's life. Ayrton Senna is still regarded as being on of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time as he won Formula One Championships on Team McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991. During the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy he was in an accident that took his life.

Niki Lauda is pictured below checking out a Mercedes SLR Roadster and he is wearing his vintage Big Red Panda Rolex Daytona.

In this next photo we see Niki Lauda sporting his Coke Rolex GMT-Master.

A Pocket-full Of Miracles

In 2008 Niki Lauda was 59 years old and married Birgit Wetzinger (pictured below) after a most unusual 4-year romance. A year after Niki Lauda started dating Birgit, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, and his then girlfriend, Birgit successfully donated one of her kidneys which saved Niki Lauda's life.


Niki Lauda is pictured below with fellow legendary Formula 1 racing legend, Sir Jackie Stewart who is a Rolex brand ambassador.

Niki Lauda's intense rivalry with fellow Formula 1 driver James Hunt was made into a movie by Ron Howard in 2013, and the movie was an international success.

Charlie Rose interviewed Ron Howard and Nicki Lauda when the movie "Rush" came out. The first video below is the full episode where Charlie interviews Ron Howard and Niki, and the second video below is just the interview with Nicki.

All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend, colleague and 1984 Formula 1 World Champion, Niki Lauda, has passed away. Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/Ndd9ZEfm6B

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 21, 2019

ROLEX PRESENTS Le Mans: 24 for 24: Episodes 1-24

ROLEX CELEBRATES

100 Years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Le Mans: 24 for 24

Episodes 1-24

Rolex wrote:

"Geneva, 1 June 2023 – One hundred years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has come to this moment. The culmination of a century of technological advancements, extraordinary human endeavour and heroic performances, which Rolex has supported as the Official Timepiece since 2001. In just over a week’s time, from Saturday 10–Sunday 11 June, the oldest and most prestigious endurance race will celebrate its centenary at Circuit de la Sarthe in north-west France, witnessed by an expected record-breaking crowd of 300,000 people. With renowned manufacturers returning to the sport, all attempting to cover the greatest distance in this ultimate race against time, global interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has never been stronger."

ENGRAVED OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA PRESENTED TO THE 

WINNERS OF THE CENTENARY EDITION OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2023

Le Mans, in France, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, and Rolex decided to pay homage to this time-tested miracle of motorsport racing. Many famous Formula 1 (F1) champion racers have worn Rolex Daytona models at Le Mans, as we see below on F1 legend, Michael Schumacher in 1993.

Formula 1 Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher rocking his 

stainless steel Daytona [Reference 16520] back in 1993 

Rolex—as a speed machine—along with airplanes and the automobile have grown up together on parallel tracks that often intersect. This is a timeless tale of Man and hid machines:

We learn about Rolex's Conquest of speed in my article named "The Complete History of The Rolex Daytona", as well as in Nick Gould's amazing "Rolex's Road to Daytona...Rolex Racing Champions: The Evolution of The Rolex Racing Revolution." 

The King of Cool

@ Le Mans

Steve McQueen made a famous movie that debuted in 1971 named Le Mans at which time he famously wore his Rolex Submariner [Reference 5512] as seen in the photos below on his right wrist.

ROLEX & Le Mans

Rolex just dropped a magnificent series of new videos that pay homage to and showcase their long standing relationship with Le Mans, which can be seen below:

In the first episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series presented by Rolex and Warner Bros. Discovery about an event like no other, we take a look at the “toughest challenge in motor sport”, with Tom Kristensen, the most successful driver in the race’s history, narrating.

In episode 2 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we take a look at the numbers behind the toughest challenge in motor sport.

In the third installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series building up to the 2023 edition of the race, we hear from legendary British driver Jenson Button as he explains to us his long-standing admiration for the race.

 

In the fourth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the so-called Mr. Le Mans, Tom Kristensen, talks about the very special nature of the world’s oldest active endurance racing event.

In episode 5 of the series building up to the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race’s most successful driver, Tom Kristensen, explains how tough it is to drive through the night.

In the sixth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the icons of motor sport, as he recalls his favorite memories of the race.

In episode 7 of ’Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Tom Kristensen relives what many consider the greatest edition of the race – the 2008 event.



In the eighth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Jamie Chadwick, three-time champion of the all-women W Series, explains why the 24 Hours of Le Mans is “the one everyone wants to win”.




In the ninth installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’, the preview series of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we take a look at some of the trailblazing women of the legendary race who are helping break down barriers in what has traditionally been an industry dominated by men.



Join us for a very special episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’ as we take you on a lap of Le Mans ahead of the 2023 edition of the race.




In the 11th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart as he recalls the 1965 edition of the legendary race. It is interesting to note Sir Jackie Stewart bought his own yellow gold Rolex Day-Date after he won his first big race, and later became a Rolex brand ambassador.
   

Anny-Charlotte Verney has competed in 10 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – a women’s record. In episode 12 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, she speaks of her passion for the race co-founded by her grandfather.

In the 13th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series that previews the legendary motor endurance race, we look at the incredible atmosphere that surrounds Le Mans.

In the 14th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a video series produced in partnership with Rolex that delves deep into the iconic race, we hear from some of the trailblazing women of Le Mans as they discuss the level playing field within the race and the rise of all-women teams.

Between 1997 and 2013, Tom Kristensen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record nine times, including six in a row (2000 to 2005). In episode 15 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the Danish driver explains how no single victory stands out for him and that he “learned a lot from all of them”.

In episode 16 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, we look at the iconic rivalry between Ford and Ferrari, one for the ages.

Episode 17 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’ takes a close look at the incredible career of Henri Pescarolo, a true legend of motor sport’s oldest, most prestigious endurance race.

Episode 18 of ‘Le Mans 24 for 24’ retraces Mark Webber’s experiences at Le Mans. The Australian driver was fortunate to escape a spectacular crash in 1999 and has also narrowly missed out on the top prize.

In episode 19 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, legendary British driver Derek Bell relives some of his most memorable moments in the iconic endurance race.

Derek Bell is pictured below with The King of Cool, Steve McQueen at Le Mans in 1970.

In the 20th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, Mark Webber, Jamie Chadwick, Leena Gade, Henri Pescarolo and Jacky Ickx discuss the thrilling feeling they get from the start of 24 hours of Le Mans.

In episode 21 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, former Formula 1 star and five-time Le Mans competitor Mark Webber explains why Tom Kristensen is his hero from motor sport’s oldest, most prestigious endurance race. Kristensen won Le Mans on a record nine occasions between 1997 and 2013, including six in a row (2000 to 2005).

In episode 22 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, past winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans shed light on what attributes are needed to be successful in the world’s oldest and most prestigious endurance motor sport race.

In the penultimate episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Howden Haynes, a nine-time winning race engineer with Audi, walks through the Le Mans centenary exhibition and explains some of the technological advancements and innovations that have been showcased at the prestigious race before making their way to production road cars.

In the final episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Joaquin Jiminez, the designer of the centenary trophy, explains the creative process behind this special piece of silverware. Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx and Henri Pescarolo discuss how it feels to lift the winner’s trophy.

Below is a new Rolex video that covers the 100th Anniversary of Le Mans.