Australian Lotus.

toxicbugman · Post by **toxicbugman** » Wed 26th Jan 2011 10:08 pm

If HUN 999 was the first lotus to arrive in Australia does any one know if the next car to arrive still exists or in what State does the oldest Lotus reside ( not the counting the the Lotus cars that have arrived from England over the last few years )

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Wed 26th Jan 2011 10:23 pm

Hi. Not sure what the point of your question is but cars were coming at a fair rate in the Harry Firth, Ron Hodgson, Leo Geoghan days and around Armstrong 500 days. I have no idea who would have the answer to this question or how it is established that 999 was the first car into Australia. I live in Sydney and the first or second cars would almost certainly have come to Sydney or Melbourne. Remember Geoghans were the Lotus agent at the time and Leo is very approachable but what is the point of this discussion?

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Wed 26th Jan 2011 11:16 pm

A good place to start would be looking in magazines of the era, like SportsCar World, and Modern Motor. They used to jump on these early imports and do preliminary road tests, and they may make mention of it being the first one landed or second etc.

Keep an eye on ebay for magazines. Yes as Peter says the Geoghegans were the Lotus dealers, Sydney based. Alas Ian (Pete) is no longer with us, but Leo may be able to help, as might journos of the time like Max Stahl, Peter Robinson etc

Robert

cortina-mk1 · Post by **cortina-mk1** » Thu 27th Jan 2011 8:23 am

i spose he (toxic) just might want to know

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Thu 27th Jan 2011 8:33 am

I want to know if there is a prize....hehe

cortina-mk1 · Post by **cortina-mk1** » Fri 28th Jan 2011 9:45 pm

bit of history i suppose

does anyone know what the second lotus into australia (when released) was ?
might be a tough one...

Post by **Steve 155C** » Sat 29th Jan 2011 8:47 am

Does counting a car that came back to the UK from Australia count? QB Ed's car did exactly that and it is fine fettle. I beleive its a 63 car.

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Sat 29th Jan 2011 9:35 am

depends when it came downunder?

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Sat 29th Jan 2011 6:14 pm

Yes Robert, it depends entirely if it was the second car....hehe

PM

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Sat 29th Jan 2011 6:14 pm

Yes Robert, it depends entirely if it was the second car....hehe

PM

cortina-mk1 · Post by **cortina-mk1** » Sat 29th Jan 2011 10:16 pm

Steve 155C wrote:Does counting a car that came back to the UK from Australia count? QB Ed's car did exactly that and it is fine fettle. I believe its a 63 car.

what car is that one steve whats the rego on it ?

toxicbugman · Post by **toxicbugman** » Sun 30th Jan 2011 3:01 am

November 1963 front cover " wheels " shows lotus cortina reg HUN 999
quote exclusive road test of the FIRST Lotus Cortina to reach Australia.
are there any Lotus Cortinas in Australia with build dates before September 63 that still servive. Not even a " blip " from the custodians of all Lotus data

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Mon 31st Jan 2011 11:29 am

That was a toxic shot!
The custodians work bloody hard but this is not the sort of information they necessarily have. Bear in mind that it is my understanding that Ford never imported any cars officially and it was the likes of Leo Geoghan, Bob Jane etc who bought them in to convert to race cars. Not too many would have come as road cars I expect.
Somebody will probably be able to shed some light on this but I suggest to contact the Small Ford Club and ask them to ask Leo, or wait until I am back in the country next Sunday and I will do it for you.
You have not said why you are asking this question......

flyinghorse · Post by **flyinghorse** » Mon 31st Jan 2011 10:05 pm

Peter if you use the "search" function and look for toxicbugman the 2 post threads from 2007 may shed some light

Graham

Post by **tommy** » Mon 31st Jan 2011 10:38 pm

From that article on HUN999, which is reproduced in the Gold Portfolio, it states that it was a personal import, that an Aussie who had been on a work placement at Dagenham brought home with him.
Were there any sold in Australia new, through official means, or were all the ones out there personal imports?
If they were personal imports then even copies of the lotus day books won't give info on them going to Australia, as they only show when cars were built and what dealer they went to in the U.K.
As I understand it the L.C.R. does not have detailed records on every car, only some copies of the day books (not all of them) and other than that, the records are what members have given about their cars over the lifetime of the L.C.R.
Tommy