“Why would you be anywhere else today?” poses long-time Lotus Esprit owner Peter Boita as we take our seats for lunch. His question is rhetorical: after all, how often does the opportunity to rub shoulders with Giorgetto Giugiaro arise? 

We’re at East Carleton Manor, the home built by Colin and Hazel Chapman, for the third Classic Team Lotus Garden Party. The theme this year is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Esprit. S1 designer Giugiaro has flown in from Italy and is joined by Julian Thomson and Norfolk locals Peter Stevens and Russell Carr, all of whom had a hand in the Esprit’s stylistic development over the years. 

All are happy to chat Esprits as Garden Party goers mingle among the 50 Esprits assembled on the Horseshoe Lawn to mark that half century. And there’s Lotus royalty at every turn: Mike Kimberley, Matt Becker, Martin Donnelly, Mike Costin, Bob Dance and Steve Crijns are just some of the faces we spot roaming the immaculate gardens. And of course our host Clive Chapman and his family.

The big display of Esprits is just part of what’s on show. Elsewhere, Martin Williamson has brought along his Bond replica Turbo (featured in Issue 4) and Esprit submarine recreation, while a second is submerged in the swimming pool. Where else are you going to see that? Kit Lotus also put on a fantastic display of scale models.

Aside from the Esprit anniversary celebrations, there was also a tribute to Jim Clark. It brought together the biggest ever collection of his racing cars in one place to date. It marked 60 years since the great Scot won both the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula One World Championship. 

Among the green and yellow cars on show were a Type 49 that was flown in from the States to appear at the Garden Party and the Jim Clark Celebration Weekend later this month, after which it will be shipped back across the Atlantic. There was also Clark’s Type 35 Formula 2 shown in its completely unrestored state, having been mothballed after its final outing in 1965. The Garden Party marked the first time its had been seen in public since 1970. Remarkable.

The Clark cars were driven up the driveway of East Carleton Manor as event-goers lined the tarmac to see them in action. We’ll post some footage in the form of reels on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.

There were also plenty of up to date Lotuses represented, too. The Theory 1 took its place on the forecourt next to an Esprit S1, while opposite were the Emira Clark Edition and GT4 racer. The current line-up was gathered elsewhere, from Emira to Evija to Emeya and Eletre.

Before, during and after lunch, we were also treated to some insightful talks from the day’s special guests. Giorgetto Giugiaro took questions from guests; Peter Stevens, Julian Thomson and Russell Carr discussed their respective evolutions of the Esprit; Martin Donnelly brought behind-the-scenes information from the forthcoming Brad Pitt film, F1; Mike Kimberley reminisced with Giugiaro; Mike Costin told us about the early days of Lotus; Chris Dinnage told us about the day of Ayrton Senna’s win in Estoril and Ben Payne spoke about how the Esprit inspired the Theory 1 concept.

We could have listened in awe well into the evening. But the shadows of those 50 Esprits on the lawn started to lengthen, signalling that it was time to return to the Lotus-only parking area to find my Elise for the drive home, clutching a few trinkets that each guest was given. 

I think most Lotus owners feel warm and fuzzy about their chosen brand in a way that doesn’t occur so readily with other car-makers. The Classic Team Lotus Garden Party is one of those events that reinforces that feeling. Peter Boita was right. There was nowhere else to be on that sunny Saturday in June.

Absolute Lotus is the magazine for Lotus owners and enthusiasts. There’s a new issue in the shops every other month, or you can subscribe here.