In a message dated 7/19/99 5:03:49 PM Central Daylight Time,
rallred@inconnect.com writes:
<< describe the motivation to name his company and racing team "Lotus". >>
The best "tale" I have heard goes like this:
Before building his first trials and race cars, Chapman made a little money
on the side by dealing in used cars. A downturn in the used car market left
Colin Chapman with several unsold cars. One of them became the Mark I.
Among used car dealers, cars were called "lots" and a car that was unsold was
abbreviated
"Lot u/s"
with the "u/s" meaning unsold. When Chapman first entered the car, the story
goes, he devilishly listed it as a Lotus, and those in the car trade would
understand his play on words.
As an aside, I mentioned this story to Clive Chapman, and he didn't seem to
put much credence in it.
Has anyone asked Hazel Chapman? Surely she knows, but is she telling?
David Whiteside
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