Team Lotus type 72 - one of Colin Chapman’s greatest cars

Team Lotus type 72, chassis number 7 was constructed by Team Lotus for the 1972 season, to be raced by Emerson Fittipaldi. The Type 72 was one of Colin Chapman’s greatest cars, designed together with Maurice Philippe; low drag, relatively high downforce, low un-sprung weight and rising rate suspension combined to create an enduring world beater.

Fittipaldi raced 72/7 in its famous black & gold livery in 20 Grand Prix, winning the Spanish, Belgian and British GPs – en-route to becoming the youngest ever World Champion – and the Argentinian and Brazilian GPs in 1973. Team Gunston purchased the car for the 1974 and 1975 South African Drivers’ Championship, after which it was displayed at the Rembrandt Tobacco headquarters.

Most recently 72/7 belonged to Japanese Lotus enthusiast, Yoshio Fukuda. At the time the car was believed to be 72/3, so it was presented in Gold Leaf livery. Then Classic Team Lotus discovered that while in South Africa the identities of 72/3 and 72/7 had been confused. Happilythe owners accepted the evidence and the chassis plates have been swapped back. 72/7 is now part of the Chapman Family Collection and she has been restored to 1972 specification i.e. without deformable structure sidepods.

72/7 is testament to the fantastic racing history of the Type 72 which competed for SIX seasons, winning 22 Grands Prix and THREE World Championships. Arguably the greatest Formula One car of all.

‘There’s no question about it, the Lotus 72 was the best F1 car I ever drove’. Emerson Fittipaldi.

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