Mike Costin on the other hand, even later, in his position as chief-tester at Cosworth, would substitute for the racing drivers. He had kept, by the way, his job at de Haviland and after successfully completing his college exams, he replaced the night-school with additional work at Lotus. Colin Chapman, who, after finishing his exams as an (construction) engineer, was full of ideas and especially ambitious in the field of lightweight construction and aerodynamics, he set up a backyard racing team which however, he had to finance by modifying customers cars and selling car-kits.

Lotus was definitely responsible for the birth of Cosworth. Not only because both the founders were occasionally employed there, also the company and it's boss must have had a great deal of mental power. After all, through the years, had not only a successful automobile manufacturer developed from modest beginnings, but also one who brought home the Formula 1 World Championship seven times. The reverse-side of the coin was: In the beginning Costin was paid no salary, after he was finally given a paid, full-time job with a four-year contract, Chapman never let go of him again.

In plain English, this means Duckworth and Costin founded a company that Costin would only come into 4 years later. Not only did Chapman bring them together, he was partially responsible for the dissatisfaction which drove them into self-employment. Thus he gave the newly qualified engineer Duckworth, the assignment of re-constructing a non-functioning gearbox, indeed, the tolerances were set so tightly, that the assignment seemed, also afterwards, not possible.

So, that's enough prologue. In 1958, Keith Duckworth started in a rented stable in the northwest of London. He used part of the inhospitable space to put in a separate room as an office, in which his new wife managed the commercial side. Despite the inhospitable atmosphere, a new Dynamometer was bought, which was important for the future development of the company. There seemed to be no lack of orders. After all, his partner still had a day-job at Lotus, where, since 1957, the Elite model (see above picture) was being produced, and whose engine was derived through modifying a standard engine.