15 replies to this topic

[mariner]

Given the age and state of the industrial units in Delamare Road,Cheshunt,  re-deveoment of such a valuable housing site was probably inevitable.

 

The  closure of the old Tesco HQ next to the Lotus factory and Team Lotus HQ from 1960 to 1966 seems have resulted in large housing develpment beng approved by the Council so demolition of the Lotus site looks likely to happen soon.

 

 

http://cheshuntlakeside.co.uk/

 

 

[jcbc3]

But look at all the happy people in the renderings!

 

Time passes, things move on. As a 54 year old, Hethel is Lotus' home to me. And in due course somewhere in China may be a future generations.

[cpbell]

Given the age and state of the industrial units in Delamare Road,Cheshunt,  re-deveoment of such a valuable housing site was probably inevitable.

 

The  closure of the old Tesco HQ next to the Lotus factory and Team Lotus HQ from 1960 to 1966 seems have resulted in large housing develpment beng approved by the Council so demolition of the Lotus site looks likely to happen soon.

 

 

http://cheshuntlakeside.co.uk/

Perhaps a plaque or statue commemorating what was achieved there in period might give people an idea of the heritage of the site?

[Bloggsworth]

But look at all the happy people in the renderings!

 

Time passes, things move on. As a 54 year old, Hethel is Lotus' home to me. And in due course somewhere in China may be a future generations.

 

Oh, a newbie, Panshanger for me...

[Bloggsworth]

Someone had better contact the council about the Jim Clark plaque.

[Myhinpaa]

A nice report on Peter Windsor's blog about the unveiling of the plaque and all the people who gathered.

 

https://peterwindsor...t-met-function/

 

Includes a video where among other things Cedric Celzer describes the layout of the factory etc.

 

Another good article describing Lotus Cortina production + many great photos.

 

http://www.lotuscort...m/?page_id=1176

Edited by Myhinpaa, 29 August 2019 - 20:33.

[Bloggsworth]

Ooo! It's me...

[1969BOAC500]

Aided by the excellent Lotus Cortina link above, and inspired by reading DSJ's 'Continental Notes' in an April '64 copy of Motor Sport, I took advantage of a dry morning today, grabbed the camera, jumped in the car and headed for Cheshunt.

 

'While at Cheshunt recently, at the home of the Lotus, I was able to see the first of the Lotus 30 cars under construction....Ford V8 engines naturally led one to the racing shop, where the Indianapolis Type 29 was being fitted with one of the new 4-o.h.c. Ford V8 engines'

 

Well, that was Jenks,  56 years ago.  Mariner's posts are correct and I arrived to find demolition in the area well advanced but the two Lotus factory buildings  still standing. I spent a very pleasant half-hour photographing front and rear and had fun exploring the famous 'Lotus Cortina ramp' - Chapman's kerb still visible. The plaque was very prominent by the entrance of the 'Monster Gym'. Of course I appreciate that time moves on etc etc and the building are undistinguished in themselves, and now looking very shabby. But I allowed myself to stand and imagine the personalities , events and meetings which had taken place there in some dramatic years - it would have been hard not to feel the history.

 

When 'Monsters' lease expires, those building will disappear in a flash. If you're thinking of seeing the site - do it very soon.

[Bloggsworth]

Aided by the excellent Lotus Cortina link above, and inspired by reading DSJ's 'Continental Notes' in an April '64 copy of Motor Sport, I took advantage of a dry morning today, grabbed the camera, jumped in the car and headed for Cheshunt.

 

'While at Cheshunt recently, at the home of the Lotus, I was able to see the first of the Lotus 30 cars under construction....Ford V8 engines naturally led one to the racing shop, where the Indianapolis Type 29 was being fitted with one of the new 4-o.h.c. Ford V8 engines'

 

Well, that was Jenks,  56 years ago.  Mariner's posts are correct and I arrived to find demolition in the area well advanced but the two Lotus factory buildings  still standing. I spent a very pleasant half-hour photographing front and rear and had fun exploring the famous 'Lotus Cortina ramp' - Chapman's kerb still visible. The plaque was very prominent by the entrance of the 'Monster Gym'. Of course I appreciate that time moves on etc etc and the building are undistinguished in themselves, and now looking very shabby. But I allowed myself to stand and imagine the personalities , events and meetings which had taken place there in some dramatic years - it would have been hard not to feel the history.

 

When 'Monsters' lease expires, those building will disappear in a flash. If you're thinking of seeing the site - do it very soon.

I must have been at lunch when DSJ popped his head in. They started a Lotus 30 engine at about 2 o'clock one morning, they shut it off pretty quickly when they realised how loud it was...

[Bloggsworth]

Perhaps the plaque should be removed for safekeepng - The Jim Clark museum perhaps?

[mariner]

I have now managed to contact the project manager for the Delamare Road re-development and he assures me the Monster Gym isn't being  cleared for some  long time. I sending him an email so they  are aware of the importance of the site and to try to come to some arrangement on the plaque in future 

[Richard Jenkins]

Thanks for all your efforts Mariner

[E1pix]

Ooo! It's me...

You're neither Peter nor Cedric. ;-)

[mariner]

I have now had a reply from the developer's project manager and they say the Monster Gym is not scheduled fro demolition for three years .

 

They acknowledged the plaque and have promised to remember it before the demolition happens.

[BRG]

Hope for the best, then.  When they redeveloped the old Connaught site at Send, they named a new building Connaught House and it has a nice outline of the car on it as well.  Developers rather like these sort of links with the past as it gives their otherwise mundane new development some character.

[1969BOAC500]

Many thanks for the follow-up, mariner - much appreciated......