Design Decades 1970 – 1979

Lotus: Design Decades: 1970 -1979

Introduction

This series has been created specifically by the A&R to explore how wider social and cultural events and design interacted. In particular it seeks to demonstrate the extent that Lotus designs influenced taste, fashion, identity and impacted on the world stage.
The additional purposes and opportunities are:

  1. Looking at realistic time frame show how the jigsaw and production/ income and competition success of Lotus varied
  2. Exploring the complex dynamics between design, society and manufacturing. Along the way we can analyse Colin Chapman as an entrepreneur manufacturer versus the engineer and motor sport strategist. [Team Owner]
  3. Not least the topic lends itself to exhibition where the many facets of the decade can be presented in context and interactively interpreted. This ought have considerable commercial opportunity for sponsorship

In future editions we will explore in turn the remaining decades of Colin Chapman and Lotus cars.

In this article we hope to capture some of the complex dynamics of the era .For some it is viewed as the start of a modern Britain. For others it divided the nation and created scars that have never been healed. The decade of the 70’s appears polarized. At its start there was still some Hippy Chick and Maharishi transcendental idealism and Hare Krishna processions through London, at the end the Punks. The film “A Clockwork Orange” is helpful introduction to the times and aspects of the mild anarchy / irreverence.
In the process it is hoped that the material presented can be assembled for a future interactive exhibition. This ought to graphically and memorably illustrate the power and impact that gave Lotus such a lasting, enduring design code, methodology and mantra.
This article includes a timeline in order that the respect historical and technological influences and forces can be seen in their interactive context.

Broad Interpretation of the Decade-The Abrupt Transition

The 20th Century quotes:
” For many people it was the decade of disillusionment. The years in which the heady idealism of the 1960’s the belief of millions of young people that they could really change the world, collapsed into cynicism and bitterness. From the ashes of revolutionary fervour arose the ugly phoenix of terrorism…[and continued] …… It was a decade of economic decline and industrial unrest in Western Democracies .The swingeing OPEC oil price rise that followed in the wake of the Yom Kippur War sent shock waves through the industrial world. In Britain the governments of right and left seemed equally unable to arrest the decent into economic chaos, of which the three day week working week and the “winter of discontent” became potent symbols”.

In the late 60’s and 70’s there were riots and rebellion. Britain experienced anxiety, instability, shock and alienation part brought on by the Oil Crisis. A portion of maturing youth reacted against consumerism, corporatism and multi nationals. We witnessed the early launch of the environmental movement ecological considerations and humanitarianism. There were other profound societal changes and divisions taking place.

In the late 70’s and 80’s the British pendulum swung away from the welfare emphasis to that of monetarism of the Thatcher era. Possible consistent with this economic view was the belief that manufacturing could not be saved nether could it compete with low wage Asian labour. The information technology era suggested that a nations economy might prosper from “invisible earnings” and the conduct/ administration of finance, banking, insurance, and the geometric spiral expansion of mortgage finance and credit. Risebero graphically illustrates the form and function / motivation that saw the era becomes one dominated by corporatism and the associated high-rise buildings e.g. the Nat-West Tower and the eventual emergence of Canary Wharf. Some of the other technological innovations of the era were fibre optics, microwave ovens, VCRS and at a later stage e commerce.

In the decade of the 70’ idealism and hedonism quickly died to be replaced by disillusionment most probably prompted by rapid economic decline. Inflation rose inexorably. Culturally and socially the previous newly established liberalism would extend and gay rights and a self-expression of the androgynous and Glam Rock through the feminist movement that achieved legal status. [Part of package that would eventually include Sex, Race and Equal Pay] .The 1970s possessed its own contradictions as pornography expanded and there were two significant obscenity trials- “The Little Red School Book’ and Oz 28 –School kids Issue.
The government attempted to modernize and the catch phrase was Modern Man and modern times. New materialism with ambition was hoped and expected but external world events particularly oil militated against much of this. Despite considerable economic difficulty Britain benefited from North Sea oil. However some might contend this was used to conceal or mitigate against the severe structural changes and unemployment. Its role palliative and hence many of the underlying problems still remain today.

During the 70’s Britain built some of its second generation New Towns like Milton Keynes and Peterborough. Along with these the movement of out of town shopping malls started [again a reference to the seeds of decline in town centers]. Gentrification continued in many cities and home ownership expanded in the new sub-urban areas aided by the growth of Building Societies and powerful property developers. Looking back it might seem that the inflationary property price spiral started in the 70’s property race.

Package holidays really started in the 70’s for those with the income to afford travel.
There were other significant societal changes. Some became concerned for the environment and a new craft tradition in design and manufacture occurred. Alongside this developed an anti war movement, feminism and Civil Rights

In 1979 Mrs. Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister

Chronology and Time Line: – Major Social, Technical Cultural Events and Design Icons of the Decade. [Design/ science/ technical in Italic]

1970

  • USA troops sent to Cambodia
  • The Equal Pay Act.UK
  • Ted Heath leads conservative government
  • Refuse collectors strike in London
  • British army in Belfast uses rubber bullets
  • Blacks and police clash in Notting Hill, London, UK
  • Jimmy Hendrix dies of drug overdose
  • The Beatles, Hippies and the Maharishi [Love Light and Peace]
  • Boing 747 enters commercial service
  • IBM floppy disc launched
  • First low cost optical fibre
  • Omstack Chair by Rodney Kinsman

1971

  • Jesus Christ Super Star by Andrew Lloyd Webber.UK
  • Civil War in Pakistan
  • Rolls Royce declared bankrupt in UK
  • Greenpeace opposes nuclear testing
  • UK adopts decimal currency
  • Open University starts in UK
  • Hot pants fashion
  • Ms.magazine launched
  • Idi Amin policies have repercussions in UK
  • Voyager I&II space probe launched
  • Apollo 15 drive on moon
  • Soviet space craft docks with space station. Later 3 cosmonoughts die
  • Roger Tallon designs train for SNCF
  • Renault 5 launched
  • Experiments with electrical cars/ vans e.g. Compton Leyland Electricars in UK
  • Erskine Bridge over the Clyde
  • Second Mersey Tunnel

1972

  • SALT talks
  • Miners strike, UK
  • Cosmopolitan magazine launched in UK linked to feminism movement
  • Poulson corruption trial in UK
  • Spaghetti Junction .UK
  • LCD watches launched
  • Nike company founded starting craze in running shoes
  • Texas introduce pocket electronic calculator
  • E mail invented
  • Frank Gehry’s Easy Edges and Wiggleside chair

1973

  • First Oil Crisis; 70% increase in oil price leads to economic crisis in UK
  • UK joins EEC
  • Queen Elisabeth II opens Sydney Opera House
  • Value Added Tax introduced in UK
  • Invention of Spandex
  • NASA launches Skylab
  • Bic invents disposable lighter
  • Marin invents mountain bike
  • Firs commercial fax
  • Skylab launched and put in orbit
  • Verner Paton’s System 1-2-3 chair

1974

  • First McDonalds restaurant in London. UK
  • Harold Wilson leads labour government later agree “social contract”
  • Miners strike
  • Gilda Meir re-elected in Israel
  • GM introduces catalyst converters
  • Spandex revoluntionises lightweight clothes
  • Smart card stores information
  • Us spacecraft Mariner photographs Mercury
  • Verner Paton’s Sitting Wheel

1975

  • Vietnam War Ends
  • North Sea oil piped ashore
  • Sex Discrimination Act passed in UK
  • Suez Canal reopened
  • David Hockney holds exhibition in Paris
  • Famine in Ethiopia and Bangladesh
  • IRA bombings
  • Charles Jenks writes “Post Modernism”
  • Microcomputers for sale in USA
  • American and Soviet spacecraft dock
  • X ray body scanner developed
  • Craft Revival Smokers chair by Richard la Trobe-Bateman
  • IBM launches lazer printer
  • Bic disposable razor
  • Apple computer introduced
  • Solar heated house by Milton Keynes Development Corporation
  • Parker 25 Pen range by Kenneth Grange

1976

  • Callaghan replaces Wilson as prim minister
  • America celebrates its bicentennial
  • Jimmie Cater elected US president
  • Riots in South Africa [Trouble in Soweto
  • Carl Andre’s “Low Sculpture” – fire bricks
  • Concorde makes commercial flight with BA
  • BR introduces high speed trains in UK design input from Kenneth Grange [Pentagram]
  • Viking I lands on Mars
  • Super computer
  • National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
  • Shiro Kuramata’s glass chair and chest of draws

1977

  • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee
  • Bhutto People’s party launched in Pakistan
  • Death of Biko in South Africa
  • Elvis Presley found dead
  • Sir Freddie Laker launches Skytrain
  • The first mass produced personal computer launched –the Apple II
  • Chinese Ivory cutlery by David Mellor
  • Concept teaset by Martin Hunt

1978

  • Us and china to establish diplomatic relations
  • Revolution in Afghanistan
  • Unrest in Iran
  • Phillips markets Laserdisc
  • Konica introduces first point to shoot auto focus camera
  • Vitro fertilization
  • Alessandro Mendini Prosut chair

1979

  • Margaret Thatcher becomes Conservative Prime minister and first female post holder in UK
  • Seb Coe broke three world records
  • Evita the musical opens in Broadway
  • Disaster at Three Mile Island; US nuclear accident
  • SALT II
  • Coup in Iran
  • Soviets invade Afghanistan
  • Prestel computer information service launched
  • Sony launch Walkman radio
  • The first spread sheet programme, called “VisiCalc” released
  • Compact disc
  • First laser printer
  • Laminated Birch chair by John Pinder
  • Ash Occasional Range by Dinah Casson
  • Tipster Chair by Robert Heritage & Roger Webb
  • Dafne folding chair by Gastone Rinaldi

Comparative Costs and Prices seen through 1971 AA motoring cost survey.

In 1971 the AA estimated that the cost of running a modest family saloon was between £8-9 a week. To run a mini for an average 10,000 miles a year cost £8.08 a week and a Viva or Cortina 1600 £9.55 a week. The RAC suggested a 2.3 -3 litre capacity 8.83p mile. The RAC figures included driving licence, insurance, road tax, petrol, oil, servicing, repairs, depreciation, garaging and membership.

Car Comparisons and Car of the Year 1971

The Car of the year is conducted by Car magazine. The 1971 awards in descending order were:

  • Citroen G8
  • Range Rover
  • Citroen SM
  • Volkswagen K70
  • Lamborghini Urraco
  • Triumph Stag
Car comparisons 1970 – detail “Motor” August 23rd 1973
Marque Model Price
Alfa Romeo 2000S’Velo’ £2949
Alfa Romeo Montreal £4999
Clan Crusader £1469
Datsun 240Z £2535
De Tomaso Pantera £6399
Ferrari 246 GT Dino £6000
Ferrari GTB/4 £10,490
Fiat X1/9 £
Ginetta G21 £1875
Jaguar V12 E Type £3580
Jensen-Healey £1931
Lamborgh’ Urraco £7567
Lamborgh’ Countach £16314
Lotus Elan Sprint £2436
Lotus Europa Spec £2436
Lotus Seven S4 £1487
Lotus Esprit £7883*
Maserati Bora £9831
Matra Simca Bagheera
M.G. Midget £988
M.G. B.GT £1547
Morgan Plus 8 £1966
Opel GT
Panther J72 SE £5285
Porsche 911S £6235
Triumph Spitfire £1067
Triumph TR6 P! £1605
TVR 3000M £2464
VW-Porsche 914 SC £2774
* And below not included in “Motor” article.
Renault

5

£854
Alfa Sud £1399
Lancia Stratos £3437
Saab Turbo £7850
Range Rover £1998

 

Car Comparisons.1948-
Marque 1970’s
Abarth
A.C

427

Alfa-R Montreal
Alfa-R 2000S’Velo’
Allard
Alvis
Aston Martin DBS
Austin
Austin Heal
Bentley TI
Berkley
BMW

2500

Bond
Bristol

411

Britannia
Buckler
Caterham Seven
Cisitalia
Citroen SM
Clan Crusader
Costin Amigo
Daimler
Datsun 240Z
Dellow
De Tomaso Pantera
Elva
Facel Vega
Fairthorpe TX -GT
Ferrari Dino 246 GT
Ferrari GTB/4
Fiat Dino 2000
Fiat X1/9
Ford Escort
Ford
Frazer Nash
Gilbern Invader
Ginetta G15
Ginetta G21
Gordon Ke’
GSM
Healey
Heron
Hillman Avenger
Honda
HRG
Iso Lele
Jaguar XJ-S
Jaguar E type V12
Jensen Interceptor
Jensen Healey
Jowett
Kieft
Lagonda
Lamborghini Espada
Lamborghini Urraco
Lamborghini Countach
Lancia
Lea Francis
Lister
LMB
Marcos Mantis
Maserati Ghibli
Maserati Bora
Matra Simca Bagheera
Mazda
Mercedes B 280SL
MG Midget
Mini
Monteverdi HAI 450SS
Morgan Plus 8
Morris

1800

NSU
Ogle
Opel GT
Panther J72 SE
Pegaso
Piper
Porsche 911S
Reliant Scimitar
Rochdale
Rolls-Royce Corniche
Rover
RangeRover
Saab

99

Sunbeam Rapier
Tornado
Trident
Triumph Stag
Triumph Spitfire IV
Triumph TR6 P1
Turner
TVR Tuscan V6
TVR M-Series
Vauxhall
VW
VW-Porsche 914 SC
Volvo

142

Wolseley 18/85

Colin Chapman /Lotus

The decade of the 70’s continued with momentum and success. During the decade they became well established at Hethel. They produced the 72,Elite, 76, Elcat, 77,78,Esprit and 79 and enjoyed further collaboration with the Sunbeam Lotus. The Lotus engine was sold in some volume for the Jensen-Healey.
Along the way gaining a further World Championships [along with John Player sponsorship] and in competition design introducing “ground effect” and many other elements which have essentially remained to the present day. Lotus also went up-market in this period to compete against prestige marques competing in very difficult economic times. Their iconic status was reinforced with the inclusion in the Bond films.
However the new cars were possibly underdeveloped and there may have been quality issues. They were not a great commercial success. The oil crisis could not have been easily predicted and the British motor industry was rather bland and struggled through the period [see chart of comparisons and the socio- economic and political situation prevailing in UK]
The difficulty all carmakers faced included: –

  • Fuel Crisis – price petrol and disproportionate impact on larger engines and performance cars
  • Societal reaction against performance cars and their status and perhaps an increased demand for smaller cars [the Elite was relatively well placed with its economic engine]
  • Rising insurance
  • Safety concerns and legislation particularly in America with export implications
  • Emission controls again impacting on performance cars.
  • Introduction of VAT in UK.
  • Inflation

In the period Lotus was floated as a public company. [However there were multiple separate entities across the “family” group.] This proved to be mixed blessing .In the 70’s sales were poor. Lotus Cars declared a trading loss in 1975.
Chapman and Lotus would struggle even with consultancy income. Unfortunately we do not have access to the “books” and budgets at this stage but just a rough glance at the production figures in relation to estimated overheads is revealing. We don’t know the margins and certainly Lotus were not able to diversify or cross subsidies to a large extent. Despite the production difficulties Lotus did reasonably well on track. It would be good research to examine the interrelationship of budgets at this time. It’s a known fact that FI was increasingly scientific and development costs were rising dramatically across the board. Again it would be good research that discovered the exact funds provided by sponsorship .The feeling is that Chapman did well within the resources and it was creative input that provided the edge. Comparative analysis would provide a more informed and objective means of assessment.

Perhaps too analysis ought examine the relative costs of the competition cars and margins attached to the Sunbeam Lotus. Access to the accounts would be revealing but any researcher has to be realistic regarding the necessity of secrecy regarding these.

During the 1970’s Colin Chapman took an interests in motorboats but this was not particularly successful despite the improved performance concepts he introduced. The market was partly killed by the economic conditions outlined. It has also been suggested that production car manufacture suffered in this decade as Chapman seemed to concentrate his personal resources on FI.

Lotus Models 1970-79
Model No Year Introd’ Name
Type

69

1970

Type

70

1970

Type

72

1970

Type

73

1972

Type

74

1971

Europa
Type

74

1973

Type

75

1974

Elite
Type

76

1974

Type

76

1975

Eclat
Type

77

1976

Type

78

1977

Type

79

1976

Esprit
Type

79

1978

Type

80

1979

Type

81

1979

Sunbeam L’
Total Estimated Production through decade including other models still in range
and including competition cars:

18,899

Lotus and Formula 1 Results.

  • 1970 Driver and Constructors Championship- Lotus –Ford 72/ J.Rint
  • 1972 Driver and Constructors Championship- Lotus -Ford/ E.Fittipaldi
  • 1973 Constructors Cup –Lotus-Ford
  • 1978 Driver and Constructors Championship-Lotus-Ford/ M.Andretti

Music /Pop

Individuals and Groups [tendency for groups to reduce through 1970’s]: –

  • Elton John
  • Rod Stewart
  • Queen
  • David Bowie [androgynous and Glam Rock]
  • The Kinks
  • Slade
  • Marc Bolan.T.Rex
  • Punk – Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Dammed
  • Bob Marley and reggae
  • Bay City Rollers and the Osmond’s
  • Pink Floyd
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • Simon and Garfunckle [Bridge Over Troubled Water]
  • Abba
  • Disco
  • Elton John
  • Sex Pistols

Designers
Italian designers set the pace in the 1970’s.The oil crisis impacted on plastics that had been very influential in the previous decade. For various societal reasons the 1970’s saw a reversion to individual craft production.

Designers and Design Icons of the 1970’s
Designers
Robin Welch
David Mellor
Peter Simpson
Frank Thrower
Kenneth Grange
Geoffrey Harcourt
John Makepiece
Fred Baier
Roy Adzak
Alan Peters
Clive Sinclair
Gae Aulenti
Joe Colombo
Studio 65
Alessandro Mendini
Gruppo Fiocco
Ettore Sottsaa Jnr
Enzo Mari
Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Mario Bellini
Verner Paton
Frank Gehry
Shiro Kurmata
Gastone Rinaldi
Conran Group

The Council for Industrial Design –Awards in 1971 included: –

  • Prefabricated steel pedestrian bridge by Butterley Engineering
  • Case for back projection of slides by Martyn Rowlands [made by Boots]
  • Avenger 16 power boat with glass-fibre-reinforced plastic hull by Avenger boat Co
  • Spate pump designed and made by W.R.Selwood Ltd
  • Children’s waterproof boots by Globoot Footwear
  • A tensile testing instrument designed by Roy Gray for Instron Ltd
  • Duke of Edinburgh prize to Derek Power for teaching equipment in field of particle physics.

Fashion and Designers

The decade opened with an extension of the “peacock revolution ” into androgyny and unisex. In many respects it became mainstream and closed with Perms, Punk and the Sex Pistols [parashoot tops, parka jackets Bondage trousers, T-shirts and Doc Marten shoes.] For a brief period there was an anything goes approach.

“Social upheaval and the workers strike in the 1970’s Britain encouraged bored working-class teenagers to rebel. Disillusioned by the status quo, disenfranchised youngsters called for social change through support for ant—establishment rock music”

Along the way there were some considerable contrasts ranging from mini to maxi through midi there was the daring demure hot pants and boots. There was the ‘layered look” and that of the Gaucho and Conceptual Chic. There were throwbacks to the Victorian era and the 1940’s as a possible return to tradition after the 1960’s.

The decade is associated with blue denim, bell-bottoms, safari jackets, camouflage wear, [e.g. Army Surplus] male sideburns, droopy mustaches and beards, platform shoes and leisure suits. Big was Beautiful. The arts, film and exhibitions influenced fashion in the decade .The Great Gatsby and Annie Hall had powerful impacts as did ethnic wear in particular orientalism and Chinese influences. Towards the end of the decade the cult of the body began to emerge. During the 1970’s women wore trousers more frequently.
Helmut Newton’s fashion photography was graphic, erotic and hard edged.

The 1970’s also witnessed a greater influence of Black culture and fashion.

Some of the designers most associated with the era are: –

  • Yves St Laurent
  • Ted Lapidus
  • Calvin Klein
  • Jean Patrou
  • Nina Ricci
  • Pierre Cardin
  • John Bates
  • Sonia Rykiel
  • Thierry Mugler
  • Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren
  • Roy Halston
  • Geoffrey Beene
  • Bill Blass
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Jean Muir
  • Barbara Hulanicki
  • Karl Lagergeld
  • Andre Courreges
  • Zandra Rhodes
  • Jean Allen
  • Laura Ashley
  • Mary Quant
  • Jamie Reid
  • Ossie Clark

* For precise and fast reference see Fashion Source Book-The 1970’s by Peacock.

Film, TV, Literature and Arts

The early 1970 witnessed the break up of the Beatles and John Lennon marries Yoko Ono. Yoko Ono in some respects represented the contemporary art scene. The Grolier Year book explains the phenomena as: –
“The stress today on kinetic [moving] art, shifting, kaleidoscopic patterns of light, illusory “op” art, “unfinished” works, transitory “happenings”, and creations consisting of several pieces that can be moved about and reassembled into other forms ………. “Audience participation” by means of which the artist can involve others as partners in his act of creation. The year 1971 saw many exhibitions of these kinds of modern art”
An excellent example perhaps being “silence “ at the Camden Arts Centre by Leoplaldo Maler.Pop Art was in vogue and Andy Warhol and Bridget Riley were amongst the major exponents.

During the 1970’s Hollywood countered TV with high grossing mass appeal blockbusters. Actors were accorded high public status. There were many memorable films.

The 1970s is an interesting decade to interpret through film. As the decade it self there is considerable polerisation start to finish. The attached list records some of the most memorable whilst recording the role of the Esprit in the 1977 “The Spy Who Loved Me” [see A&R articles on James Bond &Lotus connection] Motor sport also featured in 1971 Le Mans with Steve McQueen.
Clint Eastwood in the “Dirty Harry” series perhaps reflected a reaction against corporatism and increasing bureaucracy and corruption.
At the start of the decade there was Love Story, Ryan’s Daughter and The Go Between.
Britain was well represented in film by Ken Russell [enfant terrible] with his Women in Love, The Music Lovers and The Devils.
European directors made several memorable films including Death in Venice, Tristana, The Rite, and The Touch.

FILMS OF THE 1970’s
Year Title Year Title

1970

Butch Cassidy and the S’

1973

Coffy

1970

Woodstock

1974

Texas Chain Saw Massac’

1970

M.A.S.H.

1974

Blazing Saddles

1970

Performance

1975

Jaws

1971

Death in Venice

1975

Monty Python and the ‘

1971

Le Mans

1975

One Flew Over the Cuck’

1971

A Clock Work Orange

1976

Taxi Driver

1971

Klute

1976

The Outlaw Josey Wales

1971

Get Carter

1976

The Man who Fell to Earth

1971

Shaft

1977

The Spy Who Loved Me

1971

Dirty Harry

1977

Star Wars

1971

Straw Dogs

1977

Close Encounters ‘

1972

Cabaret

1977

Annie Hall

1972

Last Tango in Paris

1977

Saturday Night Fever

1972

High Planes Drifter

1978

The Dear Hunter

1972

The Godfather

1978

Grease

1972

The Discreet Charm of ‘

1978

Shaolin Master Killer

1973

The Sting

1979

Alien

1973

Enter the Dragon

1979

Apocalypse Now

1973

Don’t Look Now

1973

The Mother & the Whore

 

Books of the 1970’s

1970

Papillon H.Charriere

1970

Female Eunuch G.Greer

1971

The Day of the Jackal F.Forsyth

1973

Gravitys Rainbow T.Pynchon

1974

Watership Down R.Adams

1974

Tinker,Taylor,soldier,Spy J.Le Carre

1975

The History Man M.Bradbury

1975

A Dance to the music of T A.Powell

1975

Shogun J.Clavell

1976

Roots A.Haley

1978

Hitchhikers Guide to the G’

1978

The world according to Ca’ J.Irving

1979

Sophie’s Choice W.Styron

Musicals

  • Lloyd Webbers’s musical “Jesus Christ Superstar
  • Godspell

Major Cultural Exhibitions of the Decade

  • 1972-Tutankhamun Exhibition at British Museum
  • 1973-Chinese Exhibition at Royal Academy
  • 1978-The gold of El Dorado at Royal Academy

TV Programmes

  • Two Ronnie’s
  • I Claudius
  • Rising Damp
  • Faulty towers
  • To he Manor Born
  • Porridge
  • Colditz
  • A Family at War
  • Aquarius
  • Charles Angels
  • Six Million Dollar Man
  • Kojak
  • Casanova
  • The Onedin Line
  • Elizabeth R
  • Play for to-day
  • Pennies from Heaven
  • The Sweeney
  • The Good Life
  • The Fall and Rise of Reggie Perrin

Architecture and Construction

Dates Building/Design etc Location Architect/Designer

1970

Genoa-Livorno Autostrada

1970

Metropolitan Cathedral Brasilia Niemeyer

1970

IBM Offices, Havant UK Foster Ass
1970-80 Byker Housing Estate New Castle Ralph Erskine

1971

Barbican Centre [start] London

1971

Aswan Dam, Nile Egypt

1971

Louisiana Superdome USA

1971

San Cataldo Cemetery Modena Aldo Rossi

1972

Art Museum, Kitckyushu Japan Arata Isozaki

1972

Transamerica Pyramid Pereira Ass

1972

Bianchi House, Riva San V’ Mario Botta

1972

Old Bailey Extension London McMorran& Whitby
1972-77 Pompidou Centre Paris Piano & Rogers

1973

World Trade Centre New York Yamasaki

1974

Sears Tower Chicago

1975

Cement Works Barcelona Bofill

1975

Willis, Faber &Dumas office Ipswich Foster Ass

1975

Amundsen-Scott Station South Pole

1975

CN Tower, Toronto Canada
1975-79 Athenaeum, Indiana USA Richard Meier

1976

National Theatre London D.Lusdun
1977-84 Neue Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Stirling & Wilford

1977

Sainsbury Centre, Norwich UK Foster Ass

1977

Gehry Residence Los Ang’ Frank Gehry

1978

National Gallery Washington Pei

1978

House at New Castle Delaware Venturi

1978

Abraxas Housing Develop Bofill

1978

House of the Architect Frank Gehry

1979

2,4,6,88 House Los Angel’ Morphosis Ass.

1979

Transco Tower, Houston USA Johnson & Burgess
1979-86 HK&SB Hong Kong Foster Ass

The Proposed CCM&EC

The proposed museum believes that commercial considerations are both necessary and complementary with its educational objectives.
For these reasons our Business Plan includes provision for promoting products and services which share Chapman’s ideals of mechanical efficiency and sustainability. In addition we propose merchandising that explain and interprets the social and cultural context of Chapman’s designs in period. Its suggested there will be catalogue for on line purchasing.
In particular exhibitions have a dual education and commercial role. Exhibitions provide the opportunity for merchandising in the widest context. This article has been developed with thought to maximizing merchandising.

Conclusion

This article has been deliberately lengthy. It was felt that the subject was worth it. Colin Chapman and Lotus have somewhat been the subject of denigration since DeLorean and this is unfortunate as it distorts the facts and achievement. This article has been written to achieve an objective balance and to explain wider cultural concepts and how Chapman and Lotus made a dynamic interaction.
It is hoped that our subscribers and particularly those not privileged to have lived through the era will better understand the profound forces of change that occurred and how Chapman succeeded in dictating the speed of change.
Chapman and his engineering supporters designed and constructed in an extremely difficult medium. It was not passive and performing on a single or limited range of functions. The requirement of the motorcar through its range as result of physical forces is enormous. They increase with speed, as does the need for safety. Not only was Chapman an engineer he was cultured man with finely developed aesthetic that would not allow him to produce ugliness .He would only accept elegance and functionalism harmonized.
When we assess his achievements against others this should never be overlooked.
In the A&R editors minds there is little doubt that Chapman was one of the foremost engineers and Industrial designers of the second half of the 20c. This achievement has been possibly masked by the fact that he was too busy in the process of creation and allowed winning to be his judge. It’s possible too those arbitrators of taste have struggled with an understanding of engineering and have preferred to elevate more modest and less complex pieces of machinery.
This article has also been constructed with the view to a thorough and detailed exhibition that is felt long overdue.
Achievement and status like many things are capable of manipulation. To ignore or denigrate Chapman’s achievement is counterproductive in Britain today desperately needing to produce engineers capable of providing innovation and employment.

In future issues we will explore the remaining decades. The A&R feels that one of the greatest omissions of authors writing about Lotus is the lack of the financial and economic analysis of the operation. The A&R will commit to this and if needed will make constructive models or projections and extrapolations based on known facts to better understand and interpret Lotus achievements. Not least will be that of exports. The analysis in the form of forensic accounting will enable analysis of profitability, productivity and Chapman as the entrepreneur; responding to changing markets and times; and not least on many occasions fighting for survival.

The editors have attempted a fair assessment of the era .We have tried to avoid antidote but welcome contributions as this might provide the experience that can bring such a study alive. Such contributions would be sought to complement any exhibition.

Reference:
British Design Since 1880.Fiona MacCarthy.Lund Humphries.1982
SBN: 853314470
Collecting the 1970’s. Katherine Higgins.Millers.2005
ISBN: 1845331400
The Style of the Century. Bevis Hillier. Herbert Press.1998
ISBN: 1871569931
Design Since 1945. Thames and Hudson.1983
ISBN:0500013241
Industrial Design
David Mellor –Design.Teleri Lloyd-Jones. Antiques Collectors Club .2009
ISBN: 9781851496037
A Century of Design. Penny Sparke.Mitchell Beasley.1998.
ISBN: 1840000007
British Auto Legends.M.Zumbrunn.Merrell.2007.
ISBN: 9781858944944
Great Cars of the 20th Century.Brown.Langworth.Publications International.1991
ISBN:0831739355
The Car Book. Dorling Kindersley.2012
ISBN: 9781409378716
Architecture.K.Richter.Prestel.2001.
ISBN: 3791325868
70 Wonders of the Modern World. Readers digest.
ISBN: 02764223801
Architecture Source Book. Vernon Gibberd.Grange .1997
ISBN: 184013822X
Architecture. Borden, Taylor etc. Herbert press.2008
ISBN: 9780713688399
100 houses.Taschen.2004.
ISBN: 3822863122
Specialist Sports Cars. Richard Heseltine.Haynes.2001.
ISBN: 1859606903
The A&R articles on Industrial Designers.
Design of British Industry by Richard Stewart. Published by John Murray 1987 [ISBN 071954294
Britain in the Seventies. Ronald Allison.1980.Hamlyn.
ISBN:
20th Century Fashion. John Peacock. Thames and Hudson.1993.
ISBN: 0500015643
Fashion Source Book- The 1970’s.John Peacock. Thames &Hudson1997.
ISBN:0500279721
20thc Fashion. Linda Watson.Carlton.2003
ISBN: 1842227262
100 Ideas That Changed Fashion. Harriet Worsley.Laurence King.2011
ISBN: 9781856697330
Colin Chapman :Inside the Innovator by Karl Ludvigsen*
The Lotus Book by William Taylor*
The Year Book 1972 –a record of the events, developments, and personalities of 1971. Grolier.1972
ISBN:0717278034

* And italics Copies in Archive and Resource library.