The Lotus Mark I, build in the winter of 1947-48 on a 1930 Austin Seven, left over from Colin Chapmans collapsed used cars business. The car was built in his girlfriends, Hazel Williams, fathers garage. No one really knows why this car was called Lotus Mark I.

During his compulsory military service in the RAf the Lotus Mark II slowly took shape during 1949. The Mark II was in many way improved compared to the Mark I. Colin Chapman also joined the 750 Motor Club and competed with the Mark II at Silverstone in June 1950.

In 1950 Colin Chapman had now left the RAF and joined British Aluminium. He sold his first Lotus in order to raise money for his next project: The mark III circuit racer. Once more, the basis of the new car was the Austin Seven. The main features of the Mark III was, apart from havin a very light construction, was the engine modifications which showed Colin Capmans incredible talent for getting around regulations.

The Mark IIIB was the first "commercial" Lotus. It was built for Adam Currie. The Mark IIIB was followed by the Mark IV built for Mike Lawson, Stirling Moss's uncle.