The innovation continued, and after a dismal year in 1980 with the unreliable and uninspiring Lotus 81, Chapman put together the legendary Lotus 88, with its double chassis design, and carbon-fibre construction. However its participation in a grand prix was banned by the FIA, and the 88 was forced onto the sidelines.
Chapman was left with no other choice than to backtrack and cobble together what became the Lotus 87. With little to no development time, it was slow and unreliable, although drivers Nigel Mansell and Elio de Angelis did manage to score regular points through the second half of 1981.
The car was re-worked for 1982 as the Lotus 87B, but it only ever competed in one race, that year’s season-opening South African Grand Prix. Mansell retired, de Angelis finished eighth. Dissatisfied with his cars’ poor performance, Colin Chapman had been busy working on yet another replacement – the Lotus 91, which did return the team to podium on its first outing.
Colin Chapman died at the end of 1982, and sadly the Lotus name would never return to the peak of F1. Fortunately, we’re still able to enjoy the artistry of F1’s mercurial pioneer, and cars like this Lotus 87B can still provide some outrageous thrills.
Built from carbon-fibre, and weighing only 587kg, this car is extreme when it comes to lightweight engineering. With its stubby nose and simplistic bodywork, you can tell just by looking at it why Chapman was never particularly proud of this car.
Its development was certainly stunted, but powered as it is by that 3.0-litre 500PS (368kW) Cosworth DFV, it still looks absolutely stunning to drive. Riding onboard here at Spa, the driver isn’t hanging around, absolutely ringing the neck of this car through Eau Rouge and Pouhon, before keeping it absolutely pinned through Blanchimont. You couldn’t ask for more commitment, and we love every second of it.
Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Michael Schumacher inch‑perfect in his Benetton at Adelaide
Elevenses
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Formula 1
Lotus
87B
Spa
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