Lotus 1970-1979: Type 69 to Type 81

The seventies brought more than just successes on the track. Continuing the concept of developing race technology in roadcar design, Lotus launched the completely new Elite/Èclat/Esprit range of cars. Utilising another Colin Chapman innovation, Vacuum-Assisted Resin Injection (VARI) technology, and fitted with the new race-bred Lotus designed and developed 907 engine, the Elite would win the prestigious DON Safety Trophy, and the Esprit be the star in a Bond movie. In Formula One, Lotus became the dominant force, with numerous GP victories for the truly innovative Types 72, 78 and 79, bringing three World Championship Drivers titles and four Constructors titles.