The 50000th Lotus: Elan Type 100

[jep]

The 50000th Lotus made was an Elan S2 in March 1995. The car has unique decals and plaque. It is Ltd Edition 470 in the production run of 800 Elan S2. 

The car was donated to The Prince's Trust - the charity established by the then Prince Charles, now King Charles. The handbook is signed by the King. 

The car was raffled by The Sun newspaper, the proceeds donated to The Prince's Trust.

Britt Ekland spent a day at Hethel to promote the competition. Britt owned a few Lotus in the 60s and 70s, as did her one time husband Peter Sellers. 

The car's body and chassis are signed in hidden locations by the Lotus production staff.

After a period of long term ownership in Yorkshire, I bought the car in 2019 with a genuine 24,400 miles covered. The mileage is currently 28,000. 

I hope to find more information, pictures, ephemera and stories about the 50000th Lotus.

Justin 

 

 

[jep]

Some more pictures from 1995 at Hethel:

[jep]

Prince Charles with the 50000th Lotus in 1995:

[Bibs]

Very cool!

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

That Lotus has lasted a lot longer than the Rushden & Diamonds Nene Park football stadium which Prince Charles and the car are photographed at. Built 1992, club folded 2011, stadium demolished 2017.

[jep]

Lotus: built to last 

[USAndretti42]

Why was it at Rushden?  Seems unconnected to Lotus.

[jep]

I'll ask Charlie next time I see him 

[Bazza 907]

Was he in a hurry?

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Some nice home video here. The future King mentions your car at 11.45 minutes and it is seen outside at 14.50 minutes. It was a Prince’s Trust exhibition and opening of the Diamond Centre.

 

 

[jep]

Wow! Great find, thanks very much @LotusLeftLotusRight

Justin 

[jep]

JAN24 C&SC article M100 Elan inc 50000th.pdf

Classic and Sportscar Feb 2024, Elan type 100 feature including the 50,000th Lotus.

Justin

[USAndretti42]

Bought it two days ago. Now I've finished my latest issue of Absolute Lotus I can start on this.

[jep]

Winter trip out:

Justin

 

[Rambo]

Top down too 👍

[jep]

Norfolk tour:

I forgot Ketteringham Hall:

Justin

 

[Rambo]

@jep looks like you made it onto p6 of July's issue of Club Lotus News  👍

[MPx]

Ha! Beat that - got both Esprit and M100 in the Castle Combe pics on p17 (pics 1 and 5).  😄