Lotus: Cars 1952 to 2024 & Europa 2 Book Set

This compact and richly illustrated book is part of the popular A Pictorial History series and charts the full journey of Lotus road cars from 1952 through to 2024. Enthusiasts, collectors, and motorsport fans will discover a chronicle of innovation, style, and pure driving excitement that only Lotus can deliver.

From the lightweight brilliance of the Lotus Seven to the exotic Esprit and modern Evora, each model is examined with rare and previously unpublished photographs, capturing the elegance and engineering genius of the marque. Author Matthew Vale — a recognized expert on Lotus — brings his extensive knowledge and passion to this sixth Lotus title, offering clear insight into the brand’s heritage and technical evolution.

The book also explores how Lotus’ racing pedigree shaped its road cars, resulting in vehicles that deliver exceptional handling and performance.

Whether you're a seasoned Lotus devotee or new to the marque, this compact visual history is a must-have addition to your automotive library.

• A definitive visual guide to every Lotus road car from 1952 to 2024
• Over 200 rare and never-before-published images in one collectible volume
• Written by Matthew Vale — respected author of six books on Lotus and 20+ automotive titles

Table of Contents:

1. Chapter 1 Introduction
2. Chapter 2 Lotus VI
3. Chapter 3 Lotus Elite
4. Chapter 4 Lotus Seven
5. Chapter 5 Lotus Elan
6. Chapter 6 Lotus Elan Plus 2
7. Chapter 7 Lotus Elite and Eclat
8. Chapter 8 Lotus Esprit
9. Chapter 9 Lotus Excel
10. Chapter 10 Lotus Elan M100
11. Chapter 11 Lotus Elise
12. Chapter 12 Lotus Exige
13. Chapter 12 Lotus Evora

The Lotus Europa was Colin Chapman and Lotus's first mid-engined road car, and was produced from 1966 through 1975. Originally designed to slot into the Lotus range below the Elan as a low cost replacement for the Lotus 7, the Europa eventually sat alongside the Elan and Plus 2 as a comparable sports car in its own right. Starting with the design philosophy behind the development of the Europa, this book provides detailed technical descriptions of all the major versions of the model, starting with the Renault-powered Series 1 through to the Lotus Twin Cam powered Special. It looks at the cars on the road and the racing Type 47 derived from the road cars which competed in the small capacity Group 6 class, as well as those featured in historic racing today. With owners impressions and interviews with ex-Lotus employees, the book provides a valuable insight into owning, running and racing these iconic cars.