Lotus paints Hethel green and yellow at 70 th anniversary party

Lotus’ official 70th anniversary celebration held in Hethel,
Norfolk on Saturday 29th September 2018
• 8,000 Lotus owners and enthusiasts attended, with
another 8,000 joining the online live streams
• 1,600 Lotus cars returned home to Lotus in Norfolk
• Secret concours awarded to ex-Fréquelin/Todt Sunbeam Lotus
rally car
• Road cars, race cars, rally cars and even pursuit bicycles on
track
• Grand finale saw 700 cars take to Hethel track in celebration

Marking its 70th anniversary, Lotus held a spectacular event to commemorate the significant
milestone of founder Colin Chapman’s first Lotus, built in 1948.
The home of Lotus in Hethel hosted 8,000 Lotus owners and enthusiasts from all over the
world, as well as 1,600 Lotus cars of all eras. From the Team Lotus F1 race cars to the rally
Sunbeam Lotus, Lotus Cortina all the way to the present line-up of Evora, Exige and Elise,
there were Lotus road and competition cars of all ages present.
Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr. Feng Qingfeng presented the company’s vision to the crowds
present and viewers online. As well as leading the anniversary track procession, he also
personally revealed two bespoke Lotus Exclusive Evora GT410s, both in heritage
livery.Speaking at the event, Group Lotus Plc’s CEO, Mr. Feng Qingfeng said: “Today has
been an amazing day of celebration. To have met so many Lotus owners and enthusiasts,
and understand their passion for our brand is truly inspiring. We are committed to our home
in Norfolk, and there’s no place better to gather and remember what Lotus stands for and
what makes it so special as a leading automotive marque. To have so many of our cars
return home has really made the day, and I’d like to thank everyone for their help and
support, both now and in the future, as we grow and develop the business.”
Lotus’ 70th anniversary in numbers
For the first time ever, fans from all over the world were able to watch online via the live
streams on YouTube as well as Facebook Live and other social media channels. With over
8,000 viewers catching all the action on the web, a further 8,000 were there on the sold out
day to celebrate Lotus and its 70th anniversary.
The live stream and social channels used #Lotus70 to share top moments throughout the
day, and both the YouTube chat and Facebook Live feeds were filled with anecdotes and
praise for Lotus during its 70th anniversary event.

Largest gathering of Lotus cars ever seen
The day saw the largest ever collection of Lotus cars assembled. With 1,600 cars arriving to
the Hethel site, it was a special way to mark the 70th anniversary.
The British marque invited owners to showcase some of their pride and joys to celebrate.
From a heritage Lotus Mark VI to the latest Lotus Evora GT430s, ex-rally Sunbeam Lotus’
and immaculate Lotus Cortinas, there was something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.
Seven decades of Lotus on track
Presenting some of the racing team’s legendary F1 cars, responsible for Lotus’ 13 world
championships: including seven constructors and six drivers totalling 81 race victories,
Classic Team Lotus wowed the crowds with demonstration runs, allowing enthusiasts to
witness the sights and the sounds of the cars in action.
Highlights included the DFV-powered Lotus 49 designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice
Philippe for the 1967 F1 season and the famed 1978 Lotus 79, the first F1 car to take full
advantage of ground effect aerodynamics, not to mention the iconic 1966 Lotus 43.

The audience in the grandstands also cheered as they saw Lotus’ professional drivers
smoke up the tarmac in an Evora GT410 Sport, an Exige Sport 410 and the Elise Sport
220. With the addition of smoke bombs in Lotus green and yellow, it was a fitting spectacle
for the crowds and online viewers.
The Jim Clark Special Edition Evora GT410 Sport
Also on display was the 100,000th Lotus ever built. Previously announced at Goodwood
Festival of Speed, the Jim Clark Trust’s Lotus Evora GT410 Sport was showcased during

the anniversary event. Created by Lotus Exclusive, the Evora GT410 Sport had been
reimagined in the livery of Jim Clark’s famous Lotus Elan. Finished in red and silver, visitors
were able to buy tickets to win the car in a special raffle on the day. More details on how to
win can be found at www.jimclarklotus.com.
700 cars lap the Hethel track to commemorate 70 years of Lotus
Celebrating 70 years of Lotus, the British marque hosted the largest parade of Lotus sports
cars ever seen on the Hethel track. A finishing flourish to a special day, 700 cars and their
owners were part of the anniversary parade that will go down in Lotus’ history books.

Poignant for all Lotus owners that took part, the procession included the very latest models
as well as the historically important Lotus Mark VII and even a Sunbeam Lotus and a Lotus
Carlton. Led by Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr. Feng Qingfeng, in a Lotus Eleven driven by
Clive Chapman, the car which was once owned by his father, Colin Chapman. The Eleven
of Qingfeng/Chapman was followed by an Evora GT430 and a GT410 Sport in hot pursuit.

Lotus Bikes and owners’ clubs
Amidst all the four-wheeled fun, Lotus’ two wheel achievements were recognised with a
display from the 110 Lotus Bike Club, showing both the Lotus Engineering 108 and 110
bikes in action.

Lotus owners’ clubs were also on hand with static displays of their own. Showcasing some
of the most incredible and sought-after models of Lotus’ past and present line-up, 14
owners clubs and members from all over the world were part of the display.
In addition, a secret concours competition took place with online influencer Sam Fane,
otherwise known as Seen Through Glass. Sam, in secret, judged all of the cars on site. A
tricky decision, Sam finally awarded a Sunbeam Lotus of Fréquelin/Todt fame as his
winner.
Lotus legends
Joining the 8,000 attendees on site were a range of Lotus legends – the people that made
Lotus what it is today – all with their own stories to tell on the live broadcast feed.
Interviewed throughout the day, viewers saw famous Lotus alumni such as Mike Kimberley,
Bob Dance, as well as Elisa Artioli, all telling anecdotes and their own Lotus memories. It
gave viewers online and attendees on the day a glimpse into Lotus’ past through the eyes
of those who created its history.