Last year, we voted the Lotus 72 the greatest Formula 1 car of all time. Whether you agree with that or not, there is no doubting its iconic status and success - five world titles and 20 victories. It was a worthy addition to the line of innovative Lotus F1 machines, such as the monocoque 25 and Cosworth DFV-engined 49.
To mark F1's celebration of the 1000th world championship race at last year's Chinese Grand Prix, Ben Anderson conducted a special track test for Autosport magazine at Lotus Cars' circuit at Hethel. And in the week that the world championship celebrates its 70th birthday, it seemed a good time to revisit four milestone machines.
Thanks to Colin Chapman's son Clive and the Classic Team Lotus concern that he runs, which helps keep the Lotus name alive in historic motorsport, we tested four of the very best Lotus F1 cars to ever grace a circuit.