Was his death real, or was it an escape plan from one of the biggest financial frauds in car history? In episode 3 of "Mysteries and Secrets of the Auto World" on Motor283, we dive into the astonishing story of Colin Chapman, the genius behind Lotus, a key figure in Formula 1, and a suspected partner in the DeLorean scandal. With shocking claims, missing documents, and a vanished doctor, this is one of the strangest tales in the world of cars.
On December 16, 1982, the world was told that Colin Chapman had died of a heart attack in France at the age of 54. But from the very beginning, the circumstances seemed off. According to close sources, Chapman had undergone full medical exams just days earlier as part of a racing license renewal and a life insurance policy for his wife.
The body was never seen in public, the coffin was closed, and the burial happened very quickly. Even more bizarre, there were no official records confirming that a body had been transported from France to the UK. And the biggest twist? The doctor who issued Chapman’s death certificate disappeared shortly after.
Some believe Chapman changed his identity and vanished to South America, using millions allegedly funneled through a fake offshore company. Others say he died under pressure. But no hard proof has ever surfaced either way.
As John DeLorean struggled to keep his company alive in the early 1980s, Colin Chapman entered the picture. He helped develop the DeLorean’s suspension system and partnered with a secret offshore company supposedly created to handle vehicle parts. That company received millions in funds from the British government, meant to support DeLorean’s operations.
Later investigations revealed that a large portion of that money disappeared. The offshore company was jointly owned by Chapman and DeLorean. By 1996, a court in Ireland concluded that if Colin Chapman were alive, he would have been sentenced to ten years in prison for his role in the fraud.
Still, there was no Chapman to convict. Officially, he was long gone. But was he? Or did he escape justice through a perfectly staged exit plan?
Is Colin Chapman’s death one of the biggest cover-ups in automotive history? Or just a tragic end to a life filled with pressure, racing, and financial risk?
Find out in full detail by watching this episode of Mysteries and Secrets of the Auto World on Motor283. The truth might be stranger than fiction.
Click the video below to uncover everything about the genius behind Lotus and the controversy that still surrounds his name.
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