Around 1,600 Lotus vehicles and some 8,000 Lotus car owners and enthusiasts turned out Saturday for the official 70th anniversary of the British sports car company at its traditional headquarters at Hethel, Norfolk.
Of the cars taking part, 700 lapped the Lotus test track for the celebration’s grand finale. Cars ranged from Team Lotus Grand Prix racers to Sunbeam Lotus and Lotus Cortina rally cars and the current line of Evora, Exige and Elise sports cars.
Group Lotus chief executive Feng Qingfeng unveiled two bespoke Lotus Exclusive Evora GT410 vehicles in heritage livery. One was the Jim Clark Special Edition wearing the red-and-silver livery of Clark’s Lotus Elan.
“Today has been an amazing day of celebration,” he said. “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.”
Group Lotus said the anniversary celebration was the largest gathering ever of Lotus vehicles and marked the founding of the company in 1948 by Colin Chapman.
During its run in Formula One, Lotus won seven constructors and six drivers championships and 81 races.
