30 replies to this topic

[colinsays]

Hi all:

 

I am reseaching info and photos from a huge NEOPLAN bus used by ESSEX TEAM LOTUS in the 80´s during David Thieme period

 

As you can see this stunning drawing was done by Tony Matthews (a TNF member)

From an old ESSEX booklet I found this:

 

And also this photos

 

I wonder if this marvel still survives....any info?

 

 

 

[mariner]

I cant help you but it never ceases to amaze me just how much of modern F1 was originated by Colin Chapman.

 

This bus was the first "really, really offensive" (to quote the Pretty  Woman movie) , peice of Paddock sponsor bling.

 

Also Chapman insisted in the 1970's on his team designing a car alignment set up table system so they could " set it up in ploughed field"

 

That was the precursor of the checking table now used in F1 to check every measurement on the car at scrutineering.

[polarboy]

Look at the race shop he had built at kett hall,that was state of the art an way beyond what any other team other than Ferrari had.
If he had lived and avoided jail pretty sure the old man would of been in a race with ron Dennis seeing who had the best technical centre
Or at worst better facilities than the Williams or Renault bases
As it was when it closed 14 years after his death 99% of the machinery an tools were there from the old mans day and the number of major new items of machinery could be counted on one hand

[colinsays]

This photo was taken outside Royal Albert Houde in 1981 during the presentation of the Team.

As you can see Colin´s personal helicopter could land on the bus!!!!!!

I have never seen such a thing and still look actual nowdays

[colinsays]

https://memories.roy...ing-my-memories

 

Never seen befor pic from the motorhome

[arttidesco]

Such a strange story all that media noise, then Essex Overseas Petrolium Corporation was gone without a trace within 24 months, one does wonder what exactly they were trying to achieve.

[Gary C]

Probably Thieme wanted to say that he owned a Formula 1 team....

[Bob Riebe]

[Roryswood]

Looks like Francois Mazer extreme left just in shot IIRC he worked for Thieme

[Rob Ryder]

Mazet

[colinsays]

 USGO 1980

Photos of the bus are very scarce...

[colinsays]

Colin with Mario at Monaco 1980.

Edited by colinsays, 06 April 2021 - 07:12.

[BRG]

Probably Thieme wanted to say that he owned a Formula 1 team....

You might be confusing him with the Rich Energy muppet.

 

I note that the bus was Monaco registered, so did it actually belong to Essex rather than Lotus?  And if so, would it have been disposed of when the Essex outfit folded?  Is it in France somewhere if it still exists?

[Gary C]

Nope, not confusing Thieme with Rich Energy ****.

[colinsays]

Monaco 1980. Also spot the Sunbeam Lotus ESSEX and the Mini (I guess thos one belonged to David Thieme)

Edited by colinsays, 06 April 2021 - 10:33.

[Weaverbird]

On the subject of Essex - The Albert Hall is 150 and they've been asking for Memories of events attended there.

Once more, I have not been able to upload anything from my desktop, photos etc - so all I can do is to direct you to the link (to The Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation - The Essex Group of Companies and Team Lotus, Gala Evening, Feb 1981).
I have the original programme but could only fit in the cover, tickets and a couple of pictures of the bus/helicopter, tables, Roger Vergé Menu, etc.

Go to: memories.royalalberthall.com

In 'Search for a Memory' box, type in Essex

My story (heavily edited by me to protect the innocent!!) is entitled 'Fuelling my Memories!'

[Tim Murray]

Once more, I have not been able to upload anything from my desktop, photos etc ...

Sue, your photos need to be uploaded to a website, yours if you have one or one of the image-hosting sites - Postimage is very straightforward to use. Alternatively I’d be happy to post them for you. If interested, let me know and I’ll PM you an email address.

[Myhinpaa]

On the subject of Essex - The Albert Hall is 150 and they've been asking for Memories of events attended there.

Once more, I have not been able to upload anything from my desktop, photos etc - so all I can do is to direct you to the link (to The Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation - The Essex Group of Companies and Team Lotus, Gala Evening, Feb 1981).
I have the original programme but could only fit in the cover, tickets and a couple of pictures of the bus/helicopter, tables, Roger Vergé Menu, etc.

Go to: memories.royalalberthall.com

In 'Search for a Memory' box, type in Essex

My story (heavily edited by me to protect the innocent!!) is entitled 'Fuelling my Memories!'

 

Direct link : https://memories.roy...ing-my-memories

 

Some information about Thieme : https://joesaward.wo...ing-f1-fact-65/

Edited by Myhinpaa, 08 April 2021 - 00:11.

[colinsays]

Direct link : https://memories.roy...ing-my-memories

 

Some information about Thieme : https://joesaward.wo...ing-f1-fact-65/

  Very interesting info. 

Thanks for sharing.

Curious to see the name included in the invitation...."Mr. Marc Surer"!!!

[Weaverbird]

If you look at both invitations:  Mr Marc Surer and Mrs Marc Surer (he was my date, but I was never his wife!!)

[Weaverbird]

Tim:  many thanks for offer.  I'm new to this site and no idea how to PM anyone.  I'll try the Postimage site next time I want to download photos, but it would be good also to take up your kind offer.

[Tim Murray]

Sue, I’ve sent you a PM (personal message) via the forum.

[colinsays]

 

Photos from the link

Any hope of more photos of the event Weaverbird? 

 

[kayemod]

I don't think anyone has answered the question, "What happened to the Essex Team Lotus bus?" Given it's age it may well have been scrapped by now, but were there any post Essex/Lotus users or owners, did it ever reappear?

[BRG]

If it was owned by Essex as the Monaco registration suggests, it would have been an asset of the company when it was wound up. Surely it would have found a buyer back then when it was still quite new?  Monaco isn't very large and  these isn't much space to dump an unwanted bus!

[colinsays]

Read something about it ended in Gemany painted in silver offered as "event bus" for rent

[Michael Ferner]

Tour Bus for the Kelly Family?

[jpgp79]

As far as I know, the Essex Petroleum bus was based on a Neoplan N426-3 chassis, registered in Monaco where the Essex Petroleum business was based. It was used during the 1980 European season up until the beginning of 1981, its most impressive outing being at the Albert Hall season launch on February 10, 1981.

 

The Bus was one of the Essex assets which was seized by the Swiss authorities following the arrest of David Thieme on April 10, 1981 at Kloten airport in Zurich. The plane he was flying in (a private Cessna 500 Citation which was owned by Essex) was also seized, as well as their Agusta-Bell 206L-1 Helicopter.

 

After the demise of the Essex Petroleum Company, the assets where sold.

 

The last time I have heard of the Essex Neoplan bus was through ebay : the bus was proposed for sale in 2006. It was unchanged from its Formula 1 haydays, still with its roof terrasse, large tent on the side and still with its boxed trailer. It had been used as an event support equipment by a Company organizing events in Europe, and was painted Silver. There must be some photos of it somewhere...

[colinsays]

As far as I know, the Essex Petroleum bus was based on a Neoplan N426-3 chassis, registered in Monaco where the Essex Petroleum business was based. It was used during the 1980 European season up until the beginning of 1981, its most impressive outing being at the Albert Hall season launch on February 10, 1981.

 

The Bus was one of the Essex assets which was seized by the Swiss authorities following the arrest of David Thieme on April 10, 1981 at Kloten airport in Zurich. The plane he was flying in (a private Cessna 500 Citation which was owned by Essex) was also seized, as well as their Agusta-Bell 206L-1 Helicopter.

 

After the demise of the Essex Petroleum Company, the assets where sold.

 

The last time I have heard of the Essex Neoplan bus was through ebay : the bus was proposed for sale in 2006. It was unchanged from its Formula 1 haydays, still with its roof terrasse, large tent on the side and still with its boxed trailer. It had been used as an event support equipment by a Company organizing events in Europe, and was painted Silver. There must be some photos of it somewhere...

FOUND IT!!!! Merci JP ;-)

 

 

 

 

[BRG]

Excellent sleuthing, guys!! 

[Zoony]

Anyone remember the day that the the canvas roof terrace thing got blown away at Brands by the RAF Harrier jump-jet as it hovered over Clearways?

 

Oh, how we laughed...