Lotus 2019 Concours d’Elegance

Pictured above L-R: Alan Henry, mechanic for the famous Graham White Supercharged S1 Eleven in Sydney, Jim and Gloria Bertram. Jim was a mechanic for many teams including the Charlie Whatmore LM150 Eleven (on left owned by Qld club member Richard Harris) and Bevan Fleming S2 Eleven, now owned by Ed Holly in Sydney. Richard and Adam Harris, Tony Galletly and Ashton Roskill (S1 Club Eleven) from Sydney.

Lotus 2019 Concours d’Elegance Results

By Craig Wilson.

We were blessed with another day of brilliant sunshine for the Lotus 2019 Show ‘n’ Shine with a spectacular line-up of around 65 Lotus.

Elisa Artioli was again present, enjoying the sunshine and great display of Lotus Cars down under. She was very impressed with the Lotus Family atmosphere of the whole weekend and the wonderful welcome.

Thanks go to Colin McKay and Alex Molocznyk for their brilliant organisation of the oval layout and co-ordination of the Show ‘n’ Shine and afternoon drive runs. Clive Wade arranged the Concours judging assisted by Dave Mackie, Tony Galletly and Guy Stevens.

Arranged in five classes from 1956 through to the latest models on display by our Lotus Cars Queensland dealer, there was something for everyone. It was great to see Lotus enthusiast Malcolm James (Elise S1) from New Zealand and former member Mile Dudurovic and family – including daughter Elise, make the effort to join us along with some original Lotus Eleven mechanics like Jim Bertram on the day.

The results are listed by Class and the Overall Concours trophy and the Perpetual Trophy went to Tony Galletly and his magnificent Lotus Eleven.

Tony was also awarded the new John Stephenson Trophy for a fantastic restoration of a most significant piece of Lotus history. He took the pile of very sad pieces he bought from Arizona USA, and over six years, faithfully restored Chassis 333 to its former glory. This car won the 1958 Spanish Sports Car Grand Prix and was owned by the head of Lotus Eleven Racing, Jacques Van Vlymen. Tony has travelled to London to meet him and compiled a very comprehensive history file on the car.

Well done to all – thanks for joining the Lotus family, it was a great day to appreciate the models and history of Lotus.

Lotus 2019 John Stephenson Trophy for Mechanical Excellence

By Andrew Stevens.

Initiated at Lotus 2015 in memory of South Australian Lotus stalwart and engineer, John Stephenson, this spectacular, perspex, carbon fibre and stainless steel trophy is awarded biennially at the National Lotus Concours d’Elegance for excellence in vehicle restoration or engineering.

Previous winners are Mike Bennett for his restoration and engineering of the ex-Graham Hill Lotus 12 and Robert Barker for the development of his re-engineered Lotus Europa. The judging panel of Craig Wilson, Rob Barker and Andrew Stevens had a difficult job, with half a dozen cars attracting their attention.

However, in the end the decision to award the trophy to Tony Galletly for the fantastic ground up restoration of his Lotus 11 was unanimous. Tony’s car had graced the foyer of the Mooloolaba Mantra Beach for most of the weekend, and its presence as one of three Lotus 11’s at the concours allowed everyone to see just what a superb job he’d done. Starting from a pile of parts, Tony has brought back to life a historically significant Lotus race car. Both the attention to detail and the workmanship evident is second to none.

Unfortunately, Tony couldn’t be present at the awards ceremony to collect the trophy, so the Queensland committee were arranging a suitable opportunity to make the official presentation.

Overall Concours Winner – Tony Galletly Lotus Eleven S2

John Stephenson Trophy – Tony Galletly Lotus Eleven S2