Founder Profile
Colin Chapman
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Colin Chapman?
Colin Chapman is a founder of Lotus Cars, which was founded in 1948 with Hazel Chapman.
- Company founded
- Lotus Cars
- Founded
- 1948
- Co-founders
- Hazel Chapman
Background
British structural engineer and inventor.
Founding Story
Colin Chapman founded Lotus Cars in 1952. As a brilliant, highly innovative structural engineer, he obsessively believed that reducing weight was infinitely more important than simply adding horsepower (famously stating, 'Simplify, then add lightness'). This philosophy allowed Lotus to completely dominate Formula 1 racing and produce legendary, featherweight street cars.
Colin Chapman was born in 1928 in London. Education: University College London; Stationers' Company's School.
Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman was born on May 19, 1928 and died on December 16, 1982. He founded Lotus in 1952 and at first ran it in his spare time with a group of enthusiasts. He applied aeronautical engineering techniques to car design.