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In 1980 Colin Chapman thought all his birthdays had come at once when he secured title sponsorship by Essex Petroleum. David Thieme was the flamboyant character behind his oil trading company based in Monaco. Evidently he reckoned promotion, bravado, charm (?) and no fear were the vital ingredients to success in this volatile trade.

The recently released 196-page Autosport 'Summer' Special Edition has an excellent 8-page feature by Damien Smith on the influence of Lotus in Formula 1. How, through innovation, dedication and a lot of hard work, Hazel, Colin and their dedicated crew helped build Team Lotus into the influential and dominant force of the 60s and 70s. Well worth the read, it is on the news stands now, don't miss it. Hopefully, the publishers don't mind us using their imagery here. We just couldn't let it go by without letting all you Lotus fans know about it.

1965 was a special year for Team Lotus. Jim Clark won his second Formula One World Championship, took victory in the Indianapolis 500, claimed the Tasman Series title and won both Formula 2 championships. It was an remarkable year that cemented Jimmy's place as one of the greatest drivers of all time. It is safe to say that the achievements of 60 years ago celebrated at Duns this summer will more than likely never be repeated.

As well as the Esprit anniversary celebrations which saw all the guests gathered together for the traditional group photo, the Garden Party saw a remarkable tribute to Team Lotus legend Jim Clark which brought together what is probably the most significant ever collection of his racing cars seen together in one place at one time.

With an example of nearly every model given pride of place on the lawn of East Carleton Manor, the 2025 Classic Team Lotus Garden Party celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Paris launch of the Lotus Esprit.

Much to the delight of an appreciative crowd, Bruno Senna demonstrated 97T/2 at the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting. The iconic black & gold livery looked glorious in the spring sunshine and the distinctive turbo engine sounded quite spectacular.

LOTUS WORLD - JUNE 1985 Vol.4, Issue3 - Free to Members Portuguese Report Round 2 – April 21st PARABENS AYRTON! (Portuguese for congratulations!)

The only individual chassis to have won the Monaco F1 Grand Prix twice, Type 49R10, is now proudly on display at the Lotus Mayfair store at 73 Piccadilly, London W1.

On 21st April 2025 Classic Team Lotus will return to Estoril with the Lotus Type 97T which Ayrton Senna raced to his first Grand Prix win. Bruno Senna will take the wheel of the very same chassis, 97T/2 that the legendary Brazilian piloted to a dominant win in the 1985 Portuguese GP for symbolic laps of the Estoril circuit which to this day remains largely unchanged.

How best to celebrate 75 years of Formula One? The Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum in Birmingham, Alabama has commissioned Classic Team Lotus to reconstruct the F1 Lotus which realized the biggest ever performance increase in F1 history. Classic Team Lotus is to recreate the very first Lotus Type 49, chassis number 1. The greatest game changer of them all.

CTL would like to send huge congratulations to owner of 49R2, Chris MacAllister. Restored by Classic Team Lotus in 2010, 49R2 took the coveted Concours de Sport Best in Show award at the Amelia Island concours held at the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton hotel in Florida last weekend. “To be honest I just came here to have fun. It was huge a surprise but made for a great day," Chris told us.

25th Feb 2025: It is with great sadness that Classic Team Lotus reports the passing of Nigel Allen who was 93 years old. Along with Colin Chapman and Hazel Williams, Nigel and his brother Michael were co-founders of the Lotus marque back in 1952. We send our condolences to Nigel’s children, Jill, Deryn, Simon and Samantha, and their families.

The first Lotus single-seater and the first Lotus to compete in a Championship Grand Prix, was the Type 12. On loan from the Chapman Family Collection, the prototype 12, chassis 12/301 is now proudly on display at the Lotus Mayfair store in Piccadilly.

Plans for this year’s Garden Party have progressed and, as the content has developed, it has become apparent that for practical reasons we should concentrate on a one day event for this year. Therefore, the 2025 Garden Party will now be held on Saturday 14th June.

The Type 99T driven by Ayrton Senna to victory in Monaco and Detroit in 1987 is now on display at the Lotus Mayfair showroom on Piccadilly.