When the sun shines on a Bank Holiday Monday it's even worth the risk in following the crowd south to the traditional destination for the last long weekend of the year : Brighton.
By 8am the sea front hadn't yet tempted many by it's pebbled charm. A few Mods on shiny scooters stood sentry for the tradition of what remains of the 60's in their minds. Overwarm in their fur rimmed parkas (they'd dressed for the traditional bank holiday Monday weather) they were to break their commitment to tradition by taking tea and bacon sandwiches in the same cafe as the modern descendant of their 'Rocker' arch enemy. I suppose like any herding animal lacking enough of it's own number, they can at least mix these days, in shared flashback, without the flick-knife!
Then
Madeira Drive is also an historic location in Lotus 7 history. The first ever 'production' 7 supplied to a Mr Edward Lewis (proprietor of Westover Shoes , manufacturers of racing footwear!) made it's first ever appearance at the Brighton Speed trials on September the 7th 1957. 54 years ago and won it's class, virtually straight out of the box. The day after, Lewis took the car to Prescott hillclimb and won the 1100cc sports car class, it's second outing... and so the story began.
Lewis, 1st Series 1 Seven , around 'then' as well.
Southern Hemisphere Sunrise Sevener Viv with Edward Lewis in 2007
at the Lotus 7 50th anniversary meet discussing back 'then'.
...in the background Graham Nearn!
Qwaig, on Madeira Drive, in his distant cousin of the Series 1 Lotus 7 , 57 years later than 'then'.
With homage dutifully paid, and with beach front numbers increasing, the return blat leg of 75 miles was calling. But not before the habitual stop at Devils Dyke was ticked off...well it was great weather and the view across the Weald back to the North Downs served to tempt us like dogs being shown a bone, (or Andy M a nice roadside hedge!). The A272 traverses most of the countryside viewed from the top of this hill and our history will record mornings like this as being, mostly, bloody brilliant.
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ReplyDeleteJust had lunch with Edward Lewis and his charming wife. He gives the air of a man saying "I don´t know what all the fuss is about!" and yet in the ranks of Lotus it´s clear that he´s highly revered.
ReplyDeleteHe showed me photo of the bright red aluminium bodied Farina A40 that he once raced. One was made for Pat Moss to rally and another for him to circuit race. He recalled visiting Longbridge to see the body panels being pressed from sheet aluminium. Over his lifetime, Edward has raced Alvis, Chain Gangs, Austins, MGs, Aston Martin, Porsche and of course Lotus including his Lotus 11.
He last rode his 500cc Honda motorcycle less than two weeks ago. Not bad for man in his 90th year!