Colon Chapman must be regarded as one of the most brilliant designers in the history of Formula One. His innovative chassis designs were very successful and the team achieved many drivers' and constructors' world championships. The Lotus 72 was raced for no fewer than 6 seasons (1970-1975), which is extremely long for a racing car. In 1978 the Lotus 79, another brilliant Chapman design, was very much the car to beat, and led the world into the age of ground effect cars.
Chapman sadly died in December 1982, at the age of only 54.