LOTUS PAINTS HETHEL GREEN AND YELLOW AT 70TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

LOTUS PAINTS HETHEL GREEN AND YELLOW AT 70TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

700 Lotus sports cars line up at Hethel test track

Marking its 70th anniversary, Lotus held a spectacular event to commemorate the significant milestone of founder Colin Chapman’s first Lotus, built in 1948.

The home of Lotus in Hethel hosted 8,000 Lotus owners and enthusiasts from all over the world, as well as 1,600 Lotus cars of all eras. From the Team Lotus F1 race cars to the rally Sunbeam Lotus, Lotus Cortina all the way to the present line-up of Evora, Exige and Elise, there were Lotus road and competition cars of all ages present. 

Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr Feng Qingfeng presented the company’s vision to the crowds present and viewers online. As well as leading the anniversary track procession, he also personally revealed two bespoke Lotus Exclusive Evora GT410s, both in heritage livery. Speaking at the event, Group Lotus Plc’s CEO, Mr Feng Qingfeng said: “Today has been an amazing day of celebration. To have met so many Lotus owners and enthusiasts, and understand their passion for our brand is truly inspiring. We are committed to our home in Norfolk, and there’s no place better to gather and remember what Lotus stands for and what makes it so special as a leading automotive marque. To have so many of our cars return home has really made the day, and I’d like to thank everyone for their help and support, both now and in the future, as we grow and develop the business.” 

Lotus’ 70th anniversary in numbers

For the first time ever, fans from all over the world were able to watch online via the live streams on YouTube as well as Facebook Live and other social media channels. With over 8,000 viewers catching all the action on the web, a further 8,000 were there on a sold-out day to celebrate Lotus and its 70th anniversary.

The live stream and social channels used #Lotus70 to share top moments throughout the day, and both the YouTube chat and Facebook Live feeds were filled with anecdotes and praise for Lotus during its 70th-anniversary event.

The largest gathering of Lotus cars ever seen

The day saw the largest ever collection of Lotus cars assembled. With 1,600 cars arriving at the Hethel site, it was a special way to mark the 70th anniversary.

The British marque invited owners to showcase some of their pride and joys to celebrate. From a heritage Lotus Mark VI to the latest Lotus Evora GT430s, ex-rally Sunbeam Lotus’ and immaculate Lotus Cortinas, there was something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.

Seven decades of Lotus on track

Presenting some of the racing team’s legendary F1 cars, responsible for Lotus’ 13 world championships: including seven constructors and six drivers totalling 81 race victories, Classic Team Lotus wowed the crowds with demonstration runs, allowing enthusiasts to witness the sights and the sounds of the cars in action.

Highlights included the DFV-powered Lotus 49 designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe for the 1967 F1 season and the famed 1978 Lotus 79, the first F1 car to take full advantage of ground effect aerodynamics, not to mention the iconic 1966 Lotus 43.

The audience in the grandstands also cheered as they saw Lotus’ professional drivers smoke up the tarmac in an Evora GT410 Sport, an Exige Sport 410 and the Elise Sport 220. With the addition of smoke bombs in Lotus green and yellow, it was a fitting spectacle for the crowds and online viewers.

The Jim Clark Special Edition Evora GT410 Sport

Also on display was the 100,000th Lotus ever built. Previously announced at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Jim Clark Trust’s Lotus Evora GT410 Sport was showcased during the anniversary event. Created by Lotus Exclusive, the Evora GT410 Sport had been reimagined in the livery of Jim Clark’s famous Lotus Elan. Finished in red and silver, visitors were able to buy tickets to win the car in a special raffle on the day. More details on how to win can be found at www.jimclarklotus.com.

700 cars lap the Hethel track to commemorate 70 years of Lotus

Celebrating 70 years of Lotus, the British marque hosted the largest parade of Lotus sports cars ever seen on the Hethel track. A finishing flourish to a special day, 700 cars and their owners were part of the anniversary parade that will go down in Lotus’ history books.

Poignant for all Lotus owners that took part, the procession included the very latest models as well as the historically important Lotus Mark VII and even a Sunbeam Lotus and a Lotus Carlton. Led by Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr Feng Qingfeng, in a Lotus Eleven driven by Clive Chapman, the car which was once owned by his father, Colin Chapman. The Eleven of Qingfeng/Chapman was followed by an Evora GT430 and a GT410 Sport in hot pursuit.

Lotus Bikes and owners’ clubs

Amidst all the four-wheeled fun, Lotus’ two wheel achievements were recognised with a display from the 110 Lotus Bike Club, showing both the Lotus Engineering 108 and 110 bikes in action.

Lotus owners’ clubs were also on hand with static displays of their own. Showcasing some of the most incredible and sought-after models of Lotus’ past and present line-up, 14 owners clubs and members from all over the world were part of the display.

In addition, a secret concours competition took place with online influencer Sam Fane, otherwise known as Seen Through Glass. Sam, in secret, judged all of the cars on site. A tricky decision, Sam finally awarded a Sunbeam Lotus of Fréquelin/Todt fame as his winner.

Lotus legends

Joining the 8,000 attendees on site were a range of Lotus legends – the people that made Lotus what it is today – all with their own stories to tell on the live broadcast feed. Interviewed throughout the day, viewers saw famous Lotus alumni such as Mike Kimberley, Bob Dance, as well as Elisa Artioli, all telling anecdotes and their own Lotus memories. It gave viewers online and attendees on the day a glimpse into Lotus’ past through the eyes of those who created its history.

LOTUS 70TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT LIVE STREAM SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018

LOTUS 70TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT LIVE STREAM SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018

• Anniversary event celebrates 70 years of Lotus
• Event to be live streamed via YouTube and social media channels
• Ticket-only day sold out in advance
• Activities throughout the day include live Lotus demonstration runs on the track, Classic Team Lotus display and talking heads interviews
• Live link via YouTube and shared via social channels using #Lotus70
• Watch live from 10:00 (UK time) 29th September 2018 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_d5FpkIdi8

Celebrating an unrivalled legacy of innovation, amazing road cars and success on the race tracks of the world, Lotus will be opening the gates to its home in Hethel, Norfolk, on Saturday 29th September as it marks 70 years from when founder Colin Chapman built his first car – the first Lotus.

For the first time, Lotus will be live streaming an event via YouTube to ensure a truly global celebration. Hosted on the video streaming platform as well as the Lotus’ own social channels, the live stream will commence from 10:00 on Saturday 29th September and run until approximately 16:00 (UK time). Viewers can tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_d5FpkIdi8.

Held at the home of Lotus for over 50 years, the Hethel facility will host over 8,000 people and celebrates the iconic sports car manufacturer, in what promises to be a day like no other. Despite tickets to the Lotus 70th anniversary event selling out within five hours of release, Lotus has ensured that fans from around the world can still enjoy the day. 

This weekend’s anniversary event will see one of the biggest ever gatherings of the famous marque’s road and race cars ever assembled. In 1948, in a lock-up in London, founder Colin Chapman built the first Lotus. From that small garage sprang a global brand, famous for its amazing road cars and its success on the race tracks of the world.

With vehicle displays, owners’ clubs, championship-winning racing cars, as well as demonstration laps on the company’s famous on-site test track, the scene is set for an outstanding celebration of one of the automotive world’s most famous names.

The provisional timetable of events for the day is listed below and media are invited to watch the live stream as well as tagging their #Lotus70 moments on social media.

Following the event, all press releases, rights-free images and video footage will be uploaded to the Lotus media centre as soon as possible. You can register for and access the media site here: media.lotuscars.com

Timetable of Events (subject to change):

10:15 am 110 Lotus Bike Club Cycling Time Trial

10:45 am Welcome and Introduction from Senior Lotus Executives

11:00 am 70th Celebration Unveiling

11:15 am Classic Team Lotus Display (1)

11:45 am Sunbeam Lotus Rally Cars

12:15 pm Lotus Cortina Register

12:45 pm Lotus Dynamics Display

13:00 pm “One of every Lotus car” Parade

14:00 pm Lotus Driving Academy Display

14:30 pm Classic Team Lotus Display (2)

15:30 pm Special Event Activity

FINDING THE VERY FIRST HELP LOCATE THE LOTUS MARK I

FINDING THE VERY FIRST 

HELP LOCATE THE LOTUS MARK I

Hazel Chapman in the Lotus Mark I. Copyright the Colin Chapman Foundation

• The campaign to find founder Colin Chapman’s first car
• Lotus Mark, I built in London in 1948
• Whereabouts unknown for over 60 years
• The inception of Lotus’ performance-orientated approach
• Search marks 70 years since Chapman’s founding principles

Calling on enthusiasts, collectors and car hunters worldwide, Lotus needs your help in tracking down the long-lost Lotus Mark I, the first car built by company founder Colin Chapman

As the British marque continues its 70th celebrations, it wants fans from around the world to pick up the trail of the most elusive Lotus ever – the competition car that the young engineer hand-built in a small London garage owned by his then girlfriend’s parents. Overcoming the standard car’s limitation Chapman applied innovative approaches to improve its performance in challenging trials competitions.

Despite its existence being well documented, the current whereabouts of the Mark I remain a mystery. Built by Chapman, with the help of friends and his girlfriend (who later became his wife), Hazel, he entered a number of events in 1948 with immediate success. However, Colin was constantly innovating, and was soon hard at work on the Mark II. The first car was sold in November 1950 but, from there, the car’s trail goes cold. Despite much research over the years, its whereabouts have never been established.

Joining Lotus in the hunt for the origin of its species is the son of the company’s founder, and director of Classic Team Lotus, Clive Chapman. “The Mark I is the holy grail of Lotus’ history,” explains Clive. “It’s the first time that my father was able to put his theories for improved performance into practice when designing and building a car. To locate this landmark Lotus, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary, would be a monumental achievement. We want fans to take this opportunity to look in every garage, shed, barn and lock up they’re allowed to. It’s even possible that the Mark I was shipped from the UK, and we’d love to know if it survives in another country.”

Caption: Colin Chapman competing in the Lotus Mark I. Copyright the Colin Chapman Foundation

The birth of the Lotus legend

In 1948 Colin Chapman built his first competition car, following his own theories for improved performance. Chapman’s way of thinking and his principles remain as relevant today as they were 70 years ago and his ethos still allows the company to optimise mass and aerodynamics in order to maximise performance and handling.

Covering everything from suspension configuration and layout, making sure that ground clearance was not compromised, improvements included reinforcing the chassis, cladding the body in lightweight bespoke panels and ensuring that components frequently damaged in competition could be quickly reattached. Applying theories learnt from this formal training as an engineer, Colin was already developing the principles that would go on to define Lotus cars of the future. One notable decision was to extend the rear of the car, and include two spare wheels. This allowed for the better allocation of ballast, distributing weight within the car to maximise traction for each event.

In a lock-up borrowed from Hazel’s parents, Colin re-imagined and re-engineered the Austin Seven to create the first Lotus. Built by hand, and with Hazel (his then-girlfriend) helping where needed, he completed the car in the spring of 1948 and immediately entered it in competitive trials. With Hazel in the passenger seat and Colin behind the wheel, they picked up two class awards in the car’s first events.

Originally finished in bare, unpolished alloy, the car was then painted white, before repainted in red. A restless engineer, Chapman was soon working on the next car, the Mark II, designed using the lessons learned from his first and the experience gain through the competitions he’d entered. As a result, an advert placed in Motor Sport magazine, describing an Austin Seven Special four-seater sports-cum-trials car saw the Mark I sold in November 1950. Chapman received £135 for the car, but the only thing now known about the new owner was that they were based in the north of England.

Over the years many enthusiasts have looked for the car, but to no avail. Lotus has previously called on experts to help locate the lost vehicle but, as the company gears up for the highpoint of its anniversary celebrations at the end of September, it’s hoped that a renewed search, on a global scale, will help track down the landmark car

Source:Lotus Cars