The lineup of Lotus at the ABD – Words and Pictures courtesy of Andrew Stevens

Catch up with all the news from South Australia, thanks to our SA correspondent Andrew Stevens, recapping the 2023 SA All British Day.

After a three year absence, the 2023 edition of the All British Day kicked off with the SCCSA breakfast at Mylor Oval. An eclectic group of early starters turned up for orange juice, egg and bacon rolls and coffee or tea.

David Hopper was in the passenger seat of my S2 Elise as we made our way up the freeway, and then through the hills towns of Stirling and Aldgate before catching a Hillman Hustler on the run down to Mylor. It turned out that the somewhat rare (only about 600 were made) Hustler was David’s first car (his taste has improved over time), and a lively chat with the enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner was on the cards.

Paul Charal brought his S3 Elan

The usual batch of MGs, Sprites, and Rootes Group vehicles were supplemented by Rovers, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, and Triumphs of various guises. Along with some interesting Jensens, both of the Interceptor and Healey variants. The cars trickled in, as Lotus owner David Tye orchestrated the parking arrangements in the chilly morning. The cheery SCCSA volunteers were kept busy serving hot coffee across the morning, despite the light drizzle.

Before long it was time to dodge the archery club that had set up on the oval, and head up the valley, bypassing Handhorf for the hamlet of Echunga, with our gate passes properly affixed, and the “No pass no entry” warning front of mind. The “featured marque” for 2023 was the City of Coventry with Rootes Group, covering Singers, Sunbeam (I’ve never seen so many Tigers in one place), Humbers, Hillman, and whatever taking pride of place on the oval, along with their two wheeled cousins from Triumph and BSA.

The Lotus crew were sandwiched between the Rolls Royce club and the cheery and well organised Zephyr owners club, who had arrived early. It was a pity that their site map reading skills were not quite up with their enthusiasm, as they managed to park entirely within the area allocated to the Lotus crew. With a bit of juggling and squeezing we managed to sort things out, and everyone had a spot, although an errant Roller somehow found its way into our midst.

Mike Bennett and his Elan brave the weather at the ABD

There was a great array of Lotus cars on display, including what must be the last unsold Exige Cup 430 in the Zagame tent. In the Lotus area Mike Bennett had brought both his S4 Elan and Seven, the 12 being on display at the Strathalbyn museum for the summer.

Steve Vincent’s very neat S4 Elan at the ABD

There were plenty of other Elans present. Paul Charal was a great source of interest and information with his recently rebuilt, ex-John Custance, S3 drophead looking splendid in its new paint. Steve Vincent had his brilliant yellow S4 drophead, recently acquired from WA, while Jo Cave had her Plus 2 running again. David Baird and his Lotus Cortina attracted lots of attention from the blokes in the Cortina Club

Jo Caves +2 and Brett Molineux VX-220 at ABD

The only Esprit present this year was driving instructor Chris Sofokleous’ brilliant white James Bond themed Series 1, complete with champagne and silver ice bucket. Brett Molineux had brought a rare VX-220 from the Hethel factory, and of course there was a gaggle of Elises with Wayne MacIntosh’s immaculate S1, John Carter’s VHPD-engined and be-winged S1, and my S2 carrying the can for Elises built in the current century.

Georg Kazis Evora shares the ABD with Andrew’s S2 Elise and John Carter’s S1

In the Evora class, Photi and George Kazis had their pair of Type 131s looking spectacular, with George still grinning from the Adelaide Tarmac Rally.

With the cars all parked and the punters streaming in, the clouds parted to let the sun highlight the lines of the cars and backlight the photographic efforts of the masses.

David Baird’s early Lotus Cortina always gets attention

We’d been warned that there was a storm front due around 3pm, but the first effort arrived about 11am, causing a rush for tarpaulins, roofs and other waterproofing means, with bonnets and doors shut, and everyone huddled behind the windscreen or running for cover. The weather soon cleared and the conversation and animated inspections quickly resumed. From preparation for the forthcoming Adelaide Motorsport Festival, to finding engine numbers on twin cams, there was never a dull moment. Mike Bennett revealed that his latest project didn’t involve wheels or springs, but the cataloguing of early Lotus importer Derek Jolly’s business records.

However, the weather wasn’t finished with this edition of the ABD, and as 3:00pm approached so did another storm front, with some ugly grey clouds headed straight for Echunga to spoil the fun. As the spectators cleared off, David and I decided that a spot at the front of the exit queue was the smart move, and were soon on a rather bedraggled run back home through the hills. I at least had tickets to the 27 Club that night at the Adelaide Fringe to look forward to, until I realised that it was an open-air venue.

Wayne MacIntosh’s pristine S1 in exalted company at ABD

The resumption of what has been a major feature of the classic car scene in Adelaide, the return of the All British Day was a welcome return to normalcy, even if the weather wasn’t. With the rust brushed off the organisers after a couple of years of frustration, we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better 2024.

A big thanks to Graham Smith for offering up his ABD entry following the sale of his Elise.