XJD 103G Elan S4

[111Robin]

I'm surprised they didn't just copy the writeup from the auction. Well I suppose they did with the "rare black badge edition" BS.

[kjb3l]

Still for sale at the dealers - 10 months on - think I made the right decision on the day!

[JonB]

But have you found one for yourself yet?

[kjb3l]

But have you found one for yourself yet?

Yes thanks making it the fourth Elan that I've had since 1983

[Sadbrewer]

I'm surprised they didn't just copy the writeup from the auction. Well I suppose they did with the "rare black badge edition" BS.

Not rare...but not BS either...despite what Graham Arnold claimed in later years, Lotus at the time put press releases out confirming the black badge was Jim Clark commemorative.

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[ericbushby]

Hi Sadbrewer,
That is fascinating, all I have ever heard before are rumours and denials. Do you know the date of that announcement because my September 1967 Elan has a black badge but I do not know if it is original or appropriate.
Hope you can help.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[Sadbrewer]

Hi Eric...all the press releases appear after Clark's death...all the titles being published in August of 1968.
I don't think there's any doubt a small number of black badges existed prior to that date, in fact I think there is photographic evidence to prove that, but whether yours was retrofitted or original I couldn't say for certain.

[ericbushby]

Thankyou for that.
Afterwards I thought it was a daft question when Jim Clark died in April 1968, six months after my car was registered. Therefore the badge cannot be related to that. However as you state that some badges were black before the crash I now have an excuse to leave it where it is. Thanks
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[MACCA.GLM]

Hi Sadbrewer

An interesting topic this. 40 plus years ago I owned a blue metallic silver roofed plus 2s registered in 1969 G with a black badge .When I sold it I took off the black badge, why I don't know and still have this in my garage.Is there any marks or symbols to identify wether it is a Jim clark memorial badge.I have had a look at mine and cannot find anything to suggest this.

Cheers

Macca

[Sadbrewer]

Hi Macca, no, there are no extras on the black badge, or at least there were none on mine which was registered in July 1969, just the same traditional design with different colours.

[kjb3l]

Interesting information regarding the black badge.

[kjb3l]

So - just over 12 months on & the car is on offer (now) at H&H Auction in March!

[l10tus]

My 1985 Lotus Excel came with kidney shaped black bonnet badge - I seem to remember something about Senna's death commemorative, perhaps Lotus did this when one of their drivers died?

[Sadbrewer]

My 1985 Lotus Excel came with kidney shaped black bonnet badge - I seem to remember something about Senna's death commemorative, perhaps Lotus did this when one of their drivers died?

Back in 2010, Mike Kimberley Lotus CEO wrote..
<<<The Black and Silver nose badge was first used, I was told by Colin himself, to respect
the death of Jimmy Clark, I didn't join Lotus until September 1969 from Jaguar, so have to
rely on what he told me.
When Ronnie died in that Milano hospital, I got Colin's OK to use it again ,out of respect to
Ronnie, for production-including clothing/Accessories/Lapel pins-out,etc.
We then never stopped it as it made a good colour match for some shades of paint.
It's not cheaper to make-and is not the official Corporate Lotus Colour.
Hope this helps!!
Mike ‘’

Judging by the piece, other than Ronnie Peterson's and Jim Clark's death he doesn't mention the black badge commemorating a driver.

[l10tus]

Jesu, how many deaths do you want to make a coincidence!!!