Colin Chapman had started building Ford - engined , Austin 7 - based specials shortly after the end of World War II .
Colin Chapman had quickly graduated to his own sports car designs with the Lotus 6 of 1952 .
Colin Chapman had started building Ford - engined , Austin 7 - based specials shortly after the end of World War II , and had quickly graduated to his own sports car designs with the Lotus 6 of 1952 .