By Shane Murphy. Photos by Shane Murphy, Jenny Murphy and Daryl Wilson.
The ‘Sevens Day’ is becoming a bit of a south east Queensland tradition with John and Penny Barram being the driving force behind the annual get together of what some would say are the cool cars (and drivers*) of the Lotus group.
In the early years the initial venue for the event was John Lungren’s home in the leafy bayside setting of Thornlands, however for the last couple of years, the event has been hosted by Chris and Patty Beecham; meeting up and chewing the cud (and enjoying a great coffee, thanks Locky) at Beecham’s dealership at Caboolture. Then, after a lively, (I mean leisurely) drive up to Maleny via Woodford and Bellthorpe, enjoying the fruits of Patti’s culinary skills at Beechy’s Bar, or was that Patti’s Gin Palace.
For you young ‘whipper snappers’, the Lotus Seven is a small, simple, lightweight two-seater open-top sports car produced by the British manufacturer Lotus Cars (initially called Lotus Engineering) between 1957 and 1972.
It was designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and has been considered the embodiment of the Lotus philosophy of performance through low weight and simplicity. The original model was highly successful with more than 2,500 cars sold, due to its attraction as a road legal car that could be used for clubman racing.
After Lotus ended production of the Seven, Caterham bought the rights and today Caterham make both kits and fully assembled cars based on the original design.
The Lotus Seven design has spawned a host of imitations on the kit car market, generally called Sevens or sevenesque roadsters.
This historical account has been included to ensure the event has context, we move on!
A full field of Sevens lined up, all polished and ready to run. Plenty of red cheeks on display for those who belted up from Brisbane on what you would classify as a coolish morning and a couple of smug faces on those who flat-bedded to Caboolture, no names no pack drill.
The starting grid was John and Penny; Shane & Jenny; Daryl & Mal; Locky; George & Anita; Derek & Anita; Barry; Phil and Kerryn; Bryan Linda and Chris & Patti. Allan Conway made a brief appearance but was missing in action a short while later.
A couple of interlopers in Seven look-a-likes (I mean Elans) snuck through the gate: Patrick Mewing, Greg & Chris Bray, Craig & Caroline Wilson and even a few clayton Sevens being Wade & Aston Greensill and Peter and Anne Yeomans sidled up.
Follow the red brick road they said, not the little red car so it transpires… what happens on tour stays on tour, if you know what I mean.
Patti outdid her good self again, getting out of bed at 3.00 am to lay out the lavish fare, as you will see below. Don’t be jealous, just purchase a Seven this year and you can be in the special event next year!
Starters
Duck Paté with Brandy and Garlic, Toast
Salmon Spoons with Salmon Dip and Caviar
Soy Roasted Almonds
Mains
Selection of Vegetable Tarts (Onion/Tomato/Asparagus/Mushroom
Pulled Pork with Coleslaw
Zucchini Slice (GF)
Lasagne
Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Soup
Lamb Soup with Pearl Barley
Dessert
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Almond (GF)
Selection Fresh Berries and Cream
Tea/coffee.
Plenty of chit chat, a few drinks, plenty of laughs and a nice fire to keep our body temperature up was the order of the day.
With the sun setting we all gradually meandered home, bellies full, a great run under our belts. Well done all.
On behalf of all the crew a special thanks to our organising committee John & Penny and of course, our hosts Chris & Patti.
*Ed: Cool? Maybe in winter!
