PAUL LAWRENCE HISTORICS EDITOR
It was a gathering of cars the like of which had never been seen before. Every one of the surviving Lotus 49 Grand Prix cars from half a century ago made a truly sensational feature at Autosport International.
Quietly looking on from the Classic Team Lotus backdrop were a group of unassuming senior gentlemen, dressed in Team Lotus kit and reminiscing about their involvement in a spectacular period of motor racing development.
Characters like Dick Scammell, Bob Dance, Hughie Absalom, Geoff Ferris and Herbie Blash were central Lotus figures at the time that Colin Chapman got together with Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin to develop the stellar Lotus 49/Cosworth DFV package. They talked of long hours as deadlines loomed, working until 2200hrs from Monday to Thursday and then having an early finish at 1800hrs on Friday to allow a trip to the pub. Yet they accepted the deal, because Chapman inspired them.