Graham Arnold tales

[elanfan1]

Seeing Grahams old car on another thread and his son popping up on it I thought this might be a good place to post up some stories he and we may have. I’ll start with one.

At Donington on the Friday when traders were setting up a couple of blokes selling some snake oil or other decided to set up their stall in what was Classicar Automotives spot. The CL girls tried to get them to move but they were having none of it in a none to polite manner. Graham was called to the dispute and at one point his fist went back. I think that was enough to persuade them to move, big bloke was Graham and a nice one when not provoked.


I’m certain there are better ones out there but it’s all I have

[trw99]

He had intended to write a book about his time with Lotus, or I should say, times.

It would have been an interesting read. In the meantime, we still have his missives from the Club Lotus News magazine. They provide a good deal of insight into the Elan era at Lotus, written well and with some amusement.

I recall in particular his long recount of a trip to meet US dealers, driving an Elan across the big country. It ran through three editions of the magazine.

Tim

[richardcox_lotus]

I seem to recall that his stories in Club Lotus News also appeared - pretty much verbatim - in the BMW Drivers’ Club magazine that he also produced. Just insert the appropriate car make/model where appropriate !

All Good fun !

Regards
Richard

[Coupe]

Anyone on here went on the Club Lotus weekends Graham organised to Chateau Tilques near St Omer ? We went three times early 2000's and after several drinks Graham used to tell some wonderful tales about Lotus late into the evening in the bar. I did try to revive the weekend early 2019 but cancelled due to lack of interest.

[elanfan1]

Retell some of the tales then please.

[2cams70]

Sadly in these current times of political correctness and corporate drones humorous, passionate and inspirational characters who call a spade a spade like that are very few and far between. Doubt they would survive in the modern world. There’s a few YouTube videos of him speaking on the internet if you wish to search. Recordings of Keith Duckworth speaking are also well worth listening to.

Also why the BMW connection? Lotus and BMW seem poles apart!