“Lotus: The Art of Lightness” - Featured Exhibit at the AACA

[DeanG]

“Lotus: The Art of Lightness” - Featured Exhibit at the AACA Museum 2015

January 24 – April 26, 2015

Lotus and the genius of Colin Chapman have been at the forefront of racing technology and automotive design since 1948. Colin Chapman’s philosophy of light weight and efficiency of design resulted in 7 Formula 1 World Championships as well as wins at Le Mans, and Indianapolis , saloon car racing and the World Rally Championship. Chapman’s mantras of simplification, light weight and the least amount of parts effectively deployed that went into his racing car design were directly translated into Lotus’ road cars and produced iconic machines such as the Seven, Elan, Esprit, and Elise. The rest of the automotive world are finally realizing that horsepower makes you fast in the straights, but light weight makes you faster everywhere – and more fuel efficient to boot!

For over 60 years Lotus has continued to produce class-leading sports cars and are a globally respected automotive engineering consultancy, working with many of the world’s most prestigious car manufacturers.

This exhibit will feature a variety of Lotus models throughout that 60 year history.

AACA Museum

[Brit-Car-Nut]

That would be the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, PA USA http://www.aacamuseum.org/

[lotusx180r]

Thanks to Dean for posting this.

The Exhibit will run from Jan 24 though April 26.

There is an opening reception on Jan 23. All Lotus enthusiasts are invited. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased via phone at 717-566-7100 ext. 100 daily from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM or by stopping by the AACA Museum ticket counter.

If you are unable to make the opening reception you make get a discount on admission by using the attached discount coupon:

LotusOwnersGroupFlyer.pdf

Of special interest to this group is the inclusion of the M100 Elan!

[lotusx180r]

AACA Museum - For Immediate Release


December 9, 2014
Lotus: The Art of Lightness
January 24 - April 26, 2015



Hershey, PA (December 9, 2014) The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum presents Lotus: The Art of Lightness from January 24-April 26 2015. This compelling exhibit will offer a selection of Lotus road cars and racing cars throughout their 66 year history covering over 15 models from a 1956 Mark VI to the 2014 Evora and will also include representative examples of Lotus engineered vehicles.

Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, and the man behind Lotus' racing successes and iconic road cars said "I believe in getting light weight through elegance of design" translated through folklore as the mantra 'Simplify and add lightness'. In today's automotive world, making vehicles lighter is the newest method to extract efficiency and performance. But for Colin Chapman and Lotus it has always been the essence of their design and engineering philosophy.

The first Lotus came from the humblest of sources. In 1948 Colin Chapman, a young engineering student, became enthused with automotive competition and sought to enter the unique world of British Trials competition. The basis for this was an Austin Seven "Chummy", an antiquated pre-war people's car that Chapman transformed into his first competition special, dubbed Lotus. His forays into competition were successful and led to the formation of Lotus Engineering by 1954. It didn't take long for Lotus Engineering to be in full production of bespoke Chapman designed chassis and Lotus subsequently invaded and triumphed in the world of British Club racing and international motorsports competition.

Since those early days, Lotus and the genius of Colin Chapman have been at the forefront of racing technology and automotive design. Colin Chapman's philosophy of light weight, efficiency of design and innovation resulted in seven Formula 1 World Championships as well as wins at Le Mans and Indianapolis and championships in Saloon car racing, the World Rally Championship, sports car racing and the lower open wheel formulas. Colin Chapman's philosophy of simplification, light weight and the least amount of parts effectively deployed that went into his racing car design were directly translated into Lotus' road cars and produced a pantheon of iconoclastic machines such as the Seven, Elite, Elan, Cortina, Europa, Esprit, Elise, Exige, and Evora, truly making them "racing cars for the road".

In addition to producing class-leading sports cars, Lotus has become a globally respected automotive engineering consultancy, working with many of the world's most prestigious car manufacturers. Their expertise in ride and handling has made Lotus the standard to which all others are compared.


Note: A special opening reception will be held on Friday, January 23rd from 6-9PM at the AACA Museum. Ticket Information>> or phone us at 717-566-7100 ext. 100


A World Class Automotive Experience!


AACA Museum Media Contact:
Nancy Gates
Director of Marketing & Publicity
717-566-7100 ext. 123
NGates@AACAMuseum.org

[tedtaylor]

I'm deeply honored and very proud to say to this "M100-only" dedicated forum, that my Norfolk Mustard M100 Elan is one of the featured Lotus cars that is part of this unique Lotus-only exhibit. I am lucky to be its current custodian and happy owner.
The exhibit runs from January 24th through April 26th, 2015. There's a special "Opening Reception" party Friday, Jan 23rd, 6:00PM to 9:00PM. Tickets are $15 each with a $4 discount for Lotus owners at this coupon link: http://api.ning.com/files/45z4r7ugTtyCR ... pFlyer.pdf
Be sure to come by and visit the museum sometime during the cold winter months to get your Lotus-fix in.
You can be happy to know that "our" special model Lotus is represented at this important event.

[tedtaylor]

updated news release (12-9-14)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Lotu ... HJRu6772Q0

[steve matthews]

Ted, does this mean you will be leaving the car at the show
If so what dates. I would not mind the drive to get that picture.

Steve

[lotusx180r]

THe dates of the exhibit are Jan 24-April 26.

There is an opening reception on Jan 23. You may attend the opening if you wish. See below

Opening Reception – Friday, January 23rd
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Join us for a fun evening as we unveil our newest exhibit – Lotus: The Art of Lightness! Be among the first to see these fabulous vehicles, talk with our guest curator about the exhibit along with some of the vehicle owners. Appetizers and beverages included with your ticket price along with full access to all AACA Museum exhibits. Advance tickets required @ $15 each
Tickets may also be purchased directly at the AACA Museum Ticket Counter or via telephone at 717-566-7100 ext. 100

[DeanG]

We have our tickets to the reception. We will be finalizing our plans in early January.

[tedtaylor]

Ted, does this mean you will be leaving the car at the show
If so what dates. I would not mind the drive to get that picture.

Steve

Steve,
it's already there and will be for the duration. sort of free winter storage as a side benefit

[steve matthews]

[lotusx180r]

Lotus awaiting display in the AACA Museum staging area - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antique- ... 5736814137

[GeoffSmith]

Looks worth a visit. Just a shame about the pond in the way.

[lotusx180r]

Went to the Museum today to discuss the placement of cars and took these shots in the staging area where the cars are stored and are being detailed.




Opening Reception Jan 23:

Join us for a fun evening as we unveil our newest exhibit – Lotus: The Art of Lightness! Be among the first to see these fabulous vehicles, talk with our guest curator about the exhibit along with some of the vehicle owners. Appetizers and beverages included with your ticket price along with full access to all AACA Museum exhibits. Advance tickets required @ $15 each
Tickets may also be purchased directly at the AACA Museum Ticket Counter or via telephone at 717-566-7100 ext. 100

Exhibit runs from Jan 24- April 26

[lotusx180r]

I have been given word that with 10 days to go there have been more tickets for the opening reception sold than any other special exhibit to date!

[DeanG]

Excited by this. An opportunity to see great people and great cars.

[Tyger]

Just bought my tix over the phone! Main question is... should I drive one of my Lotuses down there in this frigid weather?

[lotusx180r]

Just bought my tix over the phone! Main question is... should I drive one of my Lotuses down there in this frigid weather?

I am hoping that Lotus owners do. There are a few spots directly in front of the museum marked "Antique Car Parking only" If I take a Lotus, even the Evora I park there. I might expect museum members to do the same with non Lotus antiques.

Then again, while the current weather prediction for the day is sunny, it will still be cold, and the event is at night so cars in the lot will less likely be noticed.

If anyone goes during the run of the show taking a Lotus and parking it in the antique parking area would be really cool.

[lotusx180r]

A pretty nice write up in a local paper including pics!

http://www.ldnews.com/lifestyle/ci_2734 ... it-hershey


.

[lotusx180r]

We are setting records!

Last week with something like 140 tickets sold the museum told me that Lotus: The Art of Lightness had outsold all prior opening receptions for special exhibits. This is especially significant because Winter exhibits tend to attract less people.

As of yesterday morning ticket sales had reached 320!

Thanks to all of the Lotus enthusiasts who are surely bolstering the ticket sales. I am hoping we go over the 400 mark.

An additional bit of breaking news: We have secured a Lotus Type 79 World Championship winning Formula 1 car for the exhibit.