The Silverstone Historic Festival in August was a pretty special moment for any Lotus fan. For the first time ever, the Lotus Mark I, Mark II and Mark III cars were seen together in the same place, at the same time. Quite an occasion for the history books.
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Colin and Hazel Chapman constructed their first car together in 1948, which became the Lotus Mark I. Seventy-five years later their son, Clive, has realised a faithful recreation of the car that became the foundation of the Lotus marque. Fresh from trials on the Lotus test track at Hethel, Hazel and Colin’s daughter Jane, grand-daughter Alice and great grand-daughter Martha were all set to pilot the Mk I on its first public outing as part of the 75 years of Lotus Parade at the Goodwood Revival.
Classic Team Lotus is delighted to share with you this splendid film of the inaugural Garden Party, held at East Carleton Manor on 20th May. Film maker Donovan Jones was commissioned to capture the spirit of this happy occasion. Together with contributions by drone operator Matthew Farrow and stills photographer Stephanie Ewen we are pleased to announce that the resulting film is now available for your viewing pleasure.
CTL were at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July to help celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Lotus in style. The impressive line up of Lotus F1 cars in the paddock (Types 18, 21, 25, 33, 49, 72, 79 and 99T) represented the majority of the 79 Grand Prix races won by Lotus. John Bowers kindy sent 25/R4 along for the weekend, although it and the 99T were display only on this occasion. Clive Chapman was on hand to drive 79/3 on both Thursday and Friday.
On May 20th, 2023 the Chapman family were pleased to be able to welcome guests to Hazel’s & Colin’s home East Carleton Manor and share the house and grounds with the 250 Lotus enthusiasts who attended the inaugural Classic Team Lotus Garden Party.
East Carleton Manor represents Hazel and Colin Chapman Heritage in so many special ways and this was a truly unique and significant occasion. The Lotus Mark I, Mark II and Mark III were on display together for the first time ever.
A month or so ago the final two showcars left Hethel bound for Lotus Cars in China. They will be used to introduce and promote the Heritage side of the Lotus brand to the rapidly growing market for luxury cars in the Far East.
In preparation for the 1982 Long Beach Grand Prix in April Team Lotus took the Type 91 to test at Willow Springs in California where Elio De Angelis drove. 40 Years later, almost to the day, CTL took 91-8 to Willow Springs for Kevin Weeda to give the car a shake down prior to this weekend's Historic F1 race at this years Long Beach Indycar GP.
IFEMA MADRID became the venue for the first official exhibition of Formula 1, in which both legendary teams, experts and renowned people of the sport collaborated to provide a breathtaking adventure through the extraordinary world of Formula 1.
The Chapman family is pleased to announce that the inaugural Classic Team Lotus Garden Party will be held on May 20th. Tickets can now be booked for this exciting and highly prestigious event. A extensive selection of exceptional and historically significant Lotus cars as well as a host of fascinating exhibits will be on display in the beautiful gardens of East Carleton Manor in Norfolk.
The final weeks of 2022 saw the team finishing off the first of the three showcars we have been building. By the first week of the New Year the Mark I, Eleven and Type 99T were heading out to China to to help tell the story of Lotus to its new audience and grow the Lotus brand in China and the far east. The final two showcars, Types 25 and 79, which are nearing completion will travel out in early March.
This week in December especially, we have in mind Hazel and Colin Chapman, one and 40 years on since they passed.
On October 14th, all eight remaining Lotus Type 72s (of the ten built) were gathered together for the first time ever. Classic Team Lotus brought the cars together at the Lotus Cars test track at Hethel for this very 'Special' day to help celebrate 50 years since guest of honour Emerson Fittipaldi became the 1972 World Champion, driving the John Player Team Lotus Type 72.
60 Years of The Classic Lotus Elan was celebrated with a Picnic held at the current Lotus Cars site at Hethel supported by both Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus. Organised by The Classic Lotus Elan Register, owners and enthusiasts of all Elan cars (Types 26, 36, 45 & 50) were invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Lotus Elan in October 1962.
The 2022 Revival was another busy weekend for CTL with the team taking an amazing nine cars to Goodwood. Over the three days, five were raced (Types 16, 18, 21, 24 & 25), and four were featured in Marque displays (the Chapman family Austin Seven in the Austin feature, and Types 12, 57 & 49in the Graham Hill celebration).
