Lotus 35 – a History
By Kevin Whittle
To write a book is one thing, but to write, to use mainly your own photographs, design the book format, assemble all the pages and leave the printer with the small job of printing is truly a labor of love. Kevin Whittle has done just that in producing a weighty tome detailing the origins and life of the Lotus 35, a car raced by many top drivers of the day in many formula guises—including Formula One.
The early pages of the book set the scene, background and genesis of the car, particularly its links to the Lotus 25 and 33 and the disappointments and poor sales numbers of the Lotus 27 and 32. At this point in motor racing history, and to get ahead of the game, Lotus needed a versatile car and the Lotus 35 offered many opportunities as it could accept a variety of power plants to allow its use in a variety of competitions from circuit racing to hill climbs. Whittle takes us on this worldwide journey of competition starting from Round 1 of the 1-liter Formula Two Championship at Silverstone in March 1965. Through this passage of time, he explores the various engines, gearboxes and even tire choices of entrants.
The many drivers of the Lotus 35 include Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Brian Hart, Mike Spence, David Hobbs, Peter Revson, Graham Hill, Frank Gardner and Peter Arundell. Their races, results and performances are looked at in reasonable detail, but this is not something in which the reader will get “bogged down.” Author Whittle rounds off the book with a look at the Lotus 35 in modern historic racing, featuring some of those chassis that have survived the rigors of competition.
The book is laid out in a very reader-friendly fashion and the text is well augmented by some 170 lavish color and black and white photographs, together with 60 period illustrations, as well as period advertising of races and successes. Printed on top quality 170gsm satin paper, this is a must-have title for all Lotus enthusiasts, it will also appeal to those who wish to step back in time, or visit for the first time an era of racing that seems quite naïve in today’s world.
Available for UK£50.00 direct from the publisher at www.whittlebooks.com
