MonzaDriver,
You give every impression of being one of those people who assume there is more to any story than meets the eye. Worse still you invent cynical scenarios to match your twisted interpretations. Conpiracy theories abound in your version of reality.
I really think that Doug Nye in particular should be listened to attentively. He is a respected writer and commentator from that period and knew the people involved personally. Do a Google search and have a think. He is probably now keeping a respectful silence, not wishing to lower himself to your tone.
So Chapman gave Clark a dud old car and went off skiing because he was a complete chancer. Just to get a bit cheap publicity for the Lotus brand. Yeah right.
I also came across an interview with Chapman years later where he said that Clark was his very best friend, and I do not see any reason to doubt him. Hell, they used to share hotel rooms. Not exactly the picture you conjured up.
I've said enough. Going to the pub early tonight. Must make a point of not opening my computer when I get home - I have a habit of waxing lyrically at the keyboard (at least in my temporarily distorted eyes). But I'll be OK in the morning.
Well, I have to admit that conspiracy theories are something that fascinated me.
Problem is few of them are wrong.
My scenario is not invented it came from a lot of reading and in those years a lot of YouTube,
where you can see the interviews and you judge by yourself: the tone of voice and the faces expressions of people talking motor racing.
For example look at the footages of people speaking of Colin Chapman, you heard every kind of defect, stingy, sparing of praise, difficult to deal with, mechanics always working close to miracle,
typical Londoner ( I am not sure if it is good or bad ) Used cars salesman. Witch has the same sinister hint just like in Italian language.
Smart, fascinating, a person that use his charme to persuade people about his reasons. He enchanted people.
A trait he surely has in common with the other great british of F1: Bernie Ecclestone. They both are magic in this art's form.
Rules were an exercise in finding loopholes for Chapman. Also here he was the wordsworth, not only in chassis.
I've learnt in this forum the british expression " operating on shoes strings" look at the footages of team Lotus, their normality was to operate on shoe strings.
Many times I've seen them here at Monza also.
The factory for Team Lotus was a deconsecrate church....... well an unusual choise for a top team also in the 70's.
Lotus single-seaters were sent to clients splitted in spare parts, I often wonder why.
Instead about Jim Clark, I have the opposite problem,
I cannot find someone speaking badly about him, you have difficulty in find just some negative words.
And I think: that's not possible.
You wrote ironically " So Chapman gave Clark a dud old car and went off skiing because he was a complete chancer. Just to get a bit cheap publicity for the Lotus brand. Yeah right"
sorry but the great Jim Clark wrote in " Jim Clark at the wheel" about a close situation another dud old car he call it a " starting money special "
I know Doug Nye is someone you have to listen to, unfortunately I dont have his book " Jim Clark" but I have Eric Dymock's and Graham Gauld's ones.
I have " Stirling Moss my cars, my career" I read it plus than once, so I know who he is.
But I dont think my tone is lower than his.
Well I presume the relationship Clark - Chapman was better than Dennis - Alonso I know that, but if you share a room it means cheaper.
Now that I am writing I remember this thing, I remember ( here at Monza ) people at Lotus team address to Chapman saying Colin..........
ad also Ecclestone likes people address to him Bernie.......... both of them didn't care about too much reverence. Another common trait.
MonzaDriver.