In 1948 a talented British engineer named Colin Chapman modified aan Austin 7 to create a simple, lightweight trials car that became the foundation of a successful automobile company, Lotus. Initially working part time, with the assistance of fellow engineer Mike Costin, the ambitious Chapman designed a range of sports cars that soon caught the attention of the motorsport world.
In order to attract as much publicity as possible the cars were entered in prestigious races such as the Le Mans 24-Hours where they claimed a class victory in just the second attempt. While Chapman was a great innovator when it came to car design, he had less experience in the increasingly important field of aerodynamics. Mike Costin eventually managed to persuade him to enlist the help of his brother Frank, an aerodynamicist who worked in the aviation industry. His designs appeared radical at the time but Chapman was finally convinced when he saw the results. It was decided to make use of Frank’s skills by building a car to establish a series of new land-speed records. Based on a Lotus XI, an enclosed low-drag body was built and in 1956 the streamlined coupe was transported to the Italian circuit of Monza where Stirling Moss was employed to drive it around the infamous Monza bowl; the team also borrowed Moss’s personal race team van and trailer for the journey. The ‘bubble’ canopy over the cramped cockpit swung open to allow just enough space for Moss to drop into the driver’s seat. The photograph shows Moss entering the car while Colin Chapman, in his tweed jacket, looks on while the Motor Sport international correspondent, Denis Jenkinson, surveys the scene from the pit wall. Moss established new records in the 1100cc class over a distance of fifty miles at 136.76mph before a loud bang saw him return to the pits. The bumpy concrete surface caused a rear chassis frame to crack so the team had no choice but to return home to inspect the car and carry out repairs. A larger 1500cc engine was installed in the Lotus XI before it took part in another time trial at Castelfusano before it returned to Monza where the American driver, Mac Fraser, established a record of 137.5 mph over the course of one hour with a fastest lap of 143mph; many of these records are yet to be beaten.
