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An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshunt

PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 11:19 am
by billwill
An invitation to celebrate at Cheshunt

2015 is an important anniversary year for Team Lotus. 50 years ago Team Lotus and Jim Clark won an historic victory at the Indianapolis 500 on May 31st 1965. Not only that , Team Lotus also not just won, but totally dominated, the 1965 F1 World Championship with Jim Clark becoming F1 World Champion for the 2nd time.

All that, and many more racing victories, were achieved from the Lotus factory at Delamare Road Cheshunt. Currently there is no recognition at the Lotus Cheshunt factory site of all that Team Lotus achieved there - or even of it being the home of three of Lotus's best road cars, the Elite, Elan and Lotus Cortina.

So, as Lotus enthusiasts, Malcolm Ricketts of the Historic Lotus Register plus David Morgan and Tony Scales of the 750 Club are arranging to place a plaque celebrating the 1965 Indy 500 win on the factory wall at Delamare Rd. on Sunday May 31st.

As you may know the Team Lotus/Components building is now the Monster Gym. However the owner of the Gym is very much aware of Lotus history and is delighted to accommodate the plaque. He has agreed to clear all the parking space in front of the building for the dedication ceremony.

Clive Chapman has very kindly approved the plaque on behalf of his family and Classic Team Lotus and he has agreed to unveil the plaque accompanied by members of the 1965 Indy 500 race team.

Not only is May 31st the exact day of Jim Clark's victory but being a Sunday here will be little traffic and no parking restrictions in Delamare Rd.

As many as 20 ex Team lotus and Cheshunt factory staff are coming for the event and we will have an Indy Lotus 38 on display to remind everybody of what Lotus achieved at Cheshunt.

We would love to have as many Lotus enthusiasts as possible to come along for the ceremony at 2:30 pm at Delamare Rd. We would also like to have examples of the Lotuses built at Cheshunt so as to recognize the achievements of the road car factory staff as well. So if you have an Elite, Elan, Lotus Cortina, Seven or another road Lotus built at Cheshunt please bring it along.

Drinks and snacks will be available in the Monster Gym cafe.

So we would be very pleased to hear from any Lotus enthustiasts who would like to come along on May 31st. Please email - [email protected]" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank or
01442 254 783 if you are interested, or need more information.

Malcolm Ricketts, David Morgan and Tony Scales



Reminder: This event is next Sunday folks. 2:30 pm at the old factory in Cheshunt

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 12:07 pm
by billwill
I am not actually one of the organisers, just passing on the message.

I expect to be there.

My Elan S3 Coupe is easy to recognise as it is probably the only Yellow over black Elan in existence.
Image
{that is the Cheshunt factory in the background} Mine has a Cheshunt ID plate, but from its date, must actually be from the Norwich factory.

To recognise me, I am short, tubby, with a white beard and probably wearing a trilby-type hat with a red Wyvern (dragon) on one side. :-)
Image

Any one else other than Maureen and Coupe coming too?

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 8:12 am
by Coupe
Should be a nice afternoon - hopefully the weather will be good.

Lots of 'Lotus people' attending including:

Brian Buckland
Mike Costin
Bob Dance
John Miles
Jackie Oliver
Malcolm Rickets
Cedric Seltzer
Tony Southgate

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 4:29 pm
by Tournesol
Hi Bill,

Unfortunately my car won't be ready on time, it's all been delayed by a week or so and therefore can't make the trip :(

Tournesol

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:37 pm
by billwill
Awh, Sad.

No doubt Malcolm Ricketts wil be having another 'workshop BBQ' that you will be ready for in August.

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 8:52 pm
by elansprint71
"My Elan S3 Coupe is easy to recognise as it is probably the only Yellow over black Elan in existence."

With an S4 body. :twisted: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 12:23 am
by billwill
elansprint71 wrote:"My Elan S3 Coupe is easy to recognise as it is probably the only Yellow over black Elan in existence."

With an S4 body. :twisted: :roll: :roll: :roll:



Nope, only S4 arches.. :D

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 8:09 am
by Maureen B-N
I am also attending - when I worked at Cheshunt I was Maureen Macrae.

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 10:46 am
by elansprint71
billwill wrote:
elansprint71 wrote:"My Elan S3 Coupe is easy to recognise as it is probably the only Yellow over black Elan in existence."

With an S4 body. :twisted: :roll: :roll: :roll:


Nope, only S4 arches.. :D


A full set I hope, or just one side? :lol:

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 3:12 pm
by Orsom Weels
billwill wrote:I expect to be there.

Any one else other than Maureen and Coupe coming too?



Mrs O & myself hope to get there, all being well in our new car :D, a certain very nice little S4 DHC well known on here. It'll be our first real outing in it so hope the weather is kind, be nice to think we could go topless :shock:

Regards, Tim

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 3:43 pm
by Coupe
Orsom Weels wrote:
billwill wrote:I expect to be there.

Any one else other than Maureen and Coupe coming too?



Mrs O & myself hope to get there, all being well in our new car :D, a certain very nice little S4 DHC well known on here. It'll be our first real outing in it so hope the weather is kind, be nice to think we could go topless :shock:

Regards, Tim


Tim, hopefully the weather forecast will improve. What part of Norfolk ?
Ben

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 4:23 pm
by Orsom Weels
Coupe wrote:
Tim, hopefully the weather forecast will improve. What part of Norfolk ?
Ben


Hi Ben,
Between Downham Mkt & Thetford

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 10:29 am
by billwill
Today!

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 4:58 pm
by Coupe
Excellent afternoon at Cheshunt and the rain just about kept away.

Re: An invitation to celebrate a Team Lotus plaque at Cheshu

PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 6:11 pm
by richardcox_lotus
Glad you enjoyed yourselves - sorry I couldn't make it.

Regards
Richard