Sevens at Donington On show Report and photographs from ohn Watson and Paul Davis

THE ANNUAL LOTUS SHOW at Donington on March 19/20 opened including the wives of and - Hazel and with a roar of engines as historic Lotus sports cars manoeuvred into Bette. They graciously gave their time to the Historic stand - and position on the joint Club / Historic Lotus Register were amused to realise that the Lotus (now Caterham) Seven was still stand. The 'old timers' certainly attracted a great deal of public, trade, thriving after nearly 50 years of production (is this approaching a press and VIP interest, thanks to the organisational efforts of our own world record?). Historic personage - John Watson. Hazel Chapman was shown some original sales documentation The stand featured a unique streamlined Lotus Six, Series 1, 2, and for the streamlined Lotus 6 and was bemused to see her signature on twin cam ss Sevens, a Mark Nine, an Eleven Le Mans, and a recently the 52 year-old invoice - "I don't remember signing that!" restored big-capacity sports racer. Racing star Cliff Allison* and Lotus gurus Bob Dance and Ron The Lotus Seven Club was proud to be in the company of the Club Hickman (also of Black and Decker Workmate fame, but minus Elite stand next door - naturally displaying one of the most beautiful his beard!) were also seen crawling over and under the machinery, car of all cars time - the 1959 . Further along could be along with notable restorers and marque specialists (see right). found Lotus Formula Junior and cars, and Classic The weekend was topped off with a great Club Elite Dinner (with 's (49/72/78) cars on display - a really guests from Europe and California), some excellent Lebanese red mouth-watering collection! wine, good weather and great turnout. The show -although dominated by modern Lotus models - We finished the show with the award for "Best Display Stand" for attracted a fine display of racing and sportscar machinery from a the second year running. fiftyyear period, and was visited by a number of famous guests So if you missed it this year - make it date for next March! >

*Sadly, since the Show, the former Grand Prix driver, class winner at Le M, 'S and great 'Lotus celebrity' Cliff Allison, has died.

Sole manufacturers of Lotus & Caterham Seven chassis

for over forty-five years ^ h« above left: About the cars: Advanced, ambitious, beautiful: the Lotus Type 14 Elite. A range of Sevens joined the wide selection of above: road and racing examples of the marque for the first all-Lotus event of the year. Elite, Sevens, 30 and Elan+2. left: The yellow 1963 Super Seven 1500 of Terry

Bette Hill, Hazel Chapman, Granville-Tumber and the electric-blue 1969 Lotus Seven. Seven Twin-cam SS of Philip Jewell most success• below left: fully braved the weather and had a glorious run Lotus 30 with Ford V8. up from west of . The other three cars:

below: Terry Giles' metallic blue 1958 Seven Series One Lotus twincam in Seven. BMC, Paul Davis' green 1958 Eleven Series Two Le Checking the accounts - Mans FWB roared into the hall while Jack Taylor's 52 years on! bare aluminium 1953 'time-warp' Special-bodied

bottom: Mark VI was hand powered into position! John W (in the centre) talks;

things Lotus... On Saturday morning Mike and Alyson Marsden

arrived with their beautiful Mark IX followed

by Andy and Angie Bradshaw and their Type 30

which Andy thundered into the show with a

huge grin on his face. Business on the first day

was brisk with all cars receiving attention by the

visitors. Of particular interest was the 'out-of-

the-box' Special Bodied Mark VI with it's sliding

block de Dion rear suspension which seemed to

always have people crawling all over it.

The restorers were very much in evidence with

Mike Brotherwood, Fred Fairman and Miles

Renton-Skinner discussing the cars' merits.

As we scooped a 'Best Stand' award again, our

thanks go to all who helped make the week-end

such a great one - and to the new Club Lotus

chief Alan Morgan, who made us all so welcome

and alloted us a great position!

Car places are available for next years event.

Perhaps the Mark II and the Mark IV and some

Coventry-Climax FPF power in the shape of a

Fifteen and a Nineteen would make a really great

display - don't be shy!

Lowflying May 2005 31