2019 - Elite 45th anniversary

[rjwooll]

As 2019 is the 45^th anniversary of the launch of the Lotus Elite, I’m hoping that we can put together an event to mark the occasion. We should also include the Eclat, as it started life as the Elite coupe, so should be allowed to share the birthday, and it is unlikely that another event could be organised for next year. I’ve already been in touch with a few Elite owners who are very supportive of the plan, and who agree about the inclusion of the Eclat. I'll post planning for the event as it develops - the favourite option at the moment is to drive to a venue reasonably close to Hethel; I'm in discussion with Ketteringham Hall at the moment..

The actual announcement date of the Elite has kindly been confirmed by Oliver Winterbottom as Wednesday 15 May 1974. On that date, The Eastern Daily Press reported: “The Lotus Elite, a beautiful four-seater  high performance touring car built at Hethel, near Norwich, and announced by Colin Chapman today. Top speed is 128m.p.h. and the luxury interior is the work of Guigaro (sic) of Turin. It costs £5445, or £5857 with air-conditioning and stereo tape deck.”

As reported by Graham Robson in “The Third Generation Lotuses,” this was not the Elite’s first ‘official’ appearance in the press. The announcement had originally been planned for week ending 17 March 1974, but at the last minute was pulled due to production issues following disruption due to the 3 day week at the time. However The Sunday Times magazine (not The Sunday Telegraph magazine as quoted by Robson) had already gone to print, meaning that the first Elite advertisement actually appeared on Sunday 17 March 1974, and I am fortunate enough to have found a copy – so here it is:

[makkyh]

If there is an Elite/Eclat bash then I'm in.

[Berend72]

Would be great to be there. Hopefully no surprises or problems during the wake up of my Eclat. Last year during the 70th anniversary was also great to go there with a group of Lotus cars. 

[Painterdave]

Can the excel come with you all😀

[theelanman]

Im keeping an eye on this too......

[rjwooll]

Excels are welcome of course - only not in the Elite/Eclat model displays, where we set them up. Look forward to meeting as many supporters of the event(s) as possible!

I'm trying to find out if there is going to be another Lotus festival at Hethel, and have proposed that we mark the 45th anniversary there if it is possible.

Will post news of further develkopments as they arrive.

 

Cheers, Richard

[Bibs]

8 minutes ago, rjwooll said:

another Lotus festival at Hethel

Not this year, but I'm in negotiations with Brands Hatch to see if we can return there in Sept. 

[Painterdave]

Brands hatch thats cool to 

[clivef38]

My Elite 504 should be on the road again for Feb 1st so looking forward to something.

[rjwooll]

12 hours ago, Bibs said:

Not this year, but I'm in negotiations with Brands Hatch to see if we can return there in Sept. 

Thanks Bibs, I'm looking at an alternative close to Hethel. I hope Brands can happen this year.

Richard

[rjwooll]

On 26/01/2019 at 08:21, rjwooll said:

Thanks Bibs, I'm looking at an alternative close to Hethel. I hope Brands can happen this year.

Richard

Hio Bibs - the Hethel idea didn't work. This means we'd like to celebrate the anniversary (which will include Eclats as well as Elites) at the Lotus Festival in September if possible. I hope we can get a few ex Lotus people to come along - and plenty of cars of course!

Cheers, Richard

[rjwooll]

A bit of progress on the sticker front - here is the planned design which incorporates both the Elite and Eclat anniversaries. I took the font design - basically a stretched Eurostile outline font - from the front of the factory workshop manual, and have tried to get the character overlap as close as possible. I'm getting quotes for white pvc cling stickers to go on the inside of the window.

[theelanman]

there is the Gold Cup at Oulton Park which like to celebrate things like this......

I can sort free tickets abut Id need to speak to them about a 'parade' lap.......if it helps any

August Bank Holiday Weekend by the way........Oulton Park Cheshire........the test track used by ACBC and Jim Clark

just a thought....

Donington have the GT and F3 championship mid Sept

[rjwooll]

Here's a real period piece. I 'd never heard of it before, but I found a copy of a magazine called Speed and Power (you could never publish that these days!) from 1974 covering the launch of the Elite. Here is the front cover

[Drawfiler]

What about Shelshey, Walsh, they did a great job last year for Jag XK event with untamed runs up the hill.

[rjwooll]

Shelsley and Oulton Park would be great, but I don't have the bandwidth to organise attendance at events that we don't already attend as owners. If anybody else wants to take up the mantle please do!

MLOC are keen for us to attend Lotus in the Peak for which I know a few owners have already registered. The main event is on Sunday 23 June where we can display the cars, but there are activities across the weekend. Check the MLOC website for info - you will need to either join or register as a forum member to see full details of the event. Sounds like fun with plenty of opportunity for driving.

I may be at Circuit Paul Ricard that weekend for the F1 Grand Prix so may not be able to be there myself!

Cheers, Richard

[esprit s2]

I'm driving to the French F1 GP that weekend too. In the Elite! 

[theelanman]

the Gold Cup event you can now sign up for and get your free tickets........

this will be a lotus car park rather than just Elite/Eclat/Excel.......but there is an eclectic mix of old and new......from the original type 14 Elite onwards....including the cortina/elan/+2/europa

https://shop.msv.com/DisplayCar/Register/OP-19-Gold-Cup?clubID=661

in addition........I went on the MLOC run once.....as I live in the Peak District...........

I will not do it again......its a follow my leader type thing and my experience was the guy at the front just wanting to drive as fast as possible everywhere in his Elise.............not my cup of tea..........saw nothing other than the car in front

[rjwooll]

On 19/03/2019 at 22:10, esprit s2 said:

I'm driving to the French F1 GP that weekend too. In the Elite! 

Hi Paul,

I've been investigating the French GP following the dreadful access and organisation problems reported last year. I normally camp Thu - Mon which should have been OK but my daughter can't travel with me and has to fly out, meaning I'd have to pick her up from Marseilles airport on Friday, and get her back to catch a plane on Monday and I don't fancy the stress of sitting in a jam for up to 4 hours! Apparently they haven't improved access, but may allocate more police. Sorry!

So it's back to the drawing board. It would have been great to have had two Elites there! I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers, Richard

[rjwooll]

I've checked the Brands Hatch events calendar and the only Saturday/weekend currently open in September is the 14th/15th, so I'm putting them on my calendar for a possible Lotus Festival!

[rjwooll]

Today, 15 May 2019, is the 45th birthday of the Elite, launched on 15 May 1974 - also a Wednesday.

Happy birthday Elite!

 

[EXCEL V8]

Good to know Richard!  Thanks for that.

Pete