HLR Badge Historic Lotus Register A club welcoming those who own or are interested in early Lotus cars, the company, and the people who created and raced them.
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HLR Back to roots - Trials and off road experience day - POSTPONED
HEL46

Unfortunately it has been necessary to postpone the planned trials experience day. A new date for this event will be arranged.

We are firming up on the exact format of the day but it will include you all driving, under expert guidance, a proper purpose built sporting trials car. This is an experience not to be missed, it will give an insight into the type of sport Colin Chapman, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss and many other racing drivers took part in many years ago. The aim of the day is for you to have fun and enjoy yourselves doing something different.

If you decide you would rather drive a 4x4 Land Rover or one of the brilliant off-road buggies, again under expert guidance, that will be fine.

Note that all the vehicles you will drive will be supplied by the organisers, you won't be expected to drive your Lotus off-road!

The current plan is

Arrive from 9am - tea and coffee will be available in the meeting room.

Start activities at 10am.

From 10am to 1pm will be trials activities.

At 1pm we all move to our Vice Chairman Peter Horsman's home which is a very short distance from the activity centre. There is plenty of parking and Peter has kindly offered to arrange food and drink. Obviously depending on the weather either a BBQ outside or sandwiches etc. in his kitchen near the Aga. We will be able to socialise and see Peter's Lotus and other classic cars.

Depart for home when you are ready.

The cost will be £140 per person taking part in the trials activities. We would expect to make a contribution to Peter to cover the expenses of lunch but that can be sorted out on the day.

If you wish to take part in the trials activities please let either Martyn Halliday or Nigel Halliday know as soon as possible. We will then ask for a deposit.

We do hope to see you there. Any questions please drop Martyn Halliday a line or phone 07739 464170

Introduction to the HLR
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Past

In October 1974, following correspondence between Chris Draper in Germany and Victor Thomas in England, it was decided to form a Register to involve others with similar early Lotus cars. Vic created an application form for the Lotus Historic Register - by December 1974 there were five members. Early in 1975 Bill Friend joined as member No. 6 and suggested the name be Historic Lotus Register .

Newsletter No. 1 was sent out in April 1975 and No. 2 in July 1975; Bill Friend had designed the HLR badge and the membership had risen to 40. An inaugural meeting was organised by Bill Friend and Alan Hall at Bill's farm near Hatfield, north of London on Sunday 28th September 1975. This was well attended, with cars ranging from a 1954 Mk VIII to the current Mk 76 F1 car loaned for the meeting by Colin Chapman. The second meeting took place at the Prescott Hill Climb in June 1976 and Eric Perrin attended as the first overseas member. Contact was made with the Lotus Eleven Register in the USA, founded independently by Russ Hoenig in 1973, and an exchange of ownership records, early drawings and other information took place.

Present

Since those early days, the Historic Lotus Register has grown into a highly specialised information bureau. For many years only the front-engined cars were included up to the Type 17, but more recently this has been expanded to include most of the models up to and including the Type 30 and 40, plus the Type 31, 41, 51 and 61 cars.  Effective in 2017 the Type 14 Elite was added through a merger with Club Elite.

The Historic Lotus Register operates through a series of Registrars, each of whom accumulates and records information on the early history and subsequent details of their particular model or models of Lotus.  Apart from accumulating data on these early and historic Lotus cars, the Historic Lotus Register forms a central information point for technical details concerning them, and the availability of parts; plus details of specialist manufacturers who can supply replacement parts and services.

HLR regularly participates in major historic motoring events. Racing members compete at these meetings and other Lotus owners' cars are displayed. Both have the opportunity to air their cars during occasional circuit test days.

The Newsletter has grown into a magazine HISTORIC LOTUS which is published four times each year to subscribing members.

HLR Ltd, Company Number 9899386, was incorporated on 2nd December 2015 under the Companies Act 2006 as a private company limited by guarantee.

Future

The Historic Lotus Register is not limited to its present range, and it is intended that it should register details of any historic Lotus car marks/types produced in the 1950s and 1960s.