Reviews, December 2002

Colin Chapman – Wayward Genius

By Mike Lawrence

ISBN 1-85983-278-4

Published by Breedon Books, £19.99

It’s so easy to write an unauthorised ‘stick the boot in’ story about someone you don’t like, or to produce a sycophantic ‘could do no wrong’ affair. Both are pointless and tiresome – and have been bestowed upon Colin Chapman in the past.

Mike Lawrence approaches from a different direction: Colin Chapman was one of his heroes, but the author isn’t blinkered to his misdemeanours, personality flaws or errors of judgement. There isn’t much glossing over the issues regarding the DeLorean fiasco, for instance.

There is much about Colin’s early days here, too – there are fully 26 chapters, and by halfway through we are only up to the first taste of world championship glory, in 1963. And for many this will be the book’s strength.

Its small format makes the asking price a bit steep in my view. So ask someone else to buy it for you. It’s a damn fine read. DM