Graham J Arnold - Club Lotus Chairman
Sad loss for Lotus Community
Graham Arnold, the former Sales Director of Lotus and the President of Club Lotus,
passed away on Monday.
Graham was taken ill while at a classic car show and died later in hospital.
Graham was Sales Director at Lotus for over 10 years, mostly during Colin Chapman's lifetime. He joined Club Lotus in 1956, and became club president in 1967, while still
working at Lotus. When he left Lotus in 1981 it was agreed that he would run the club independently of the factory and its dealers, but remain in very close and harmonious
contact. He was chairman for over 35 years, and showed no signs of slowing down
or losing interest in the international world of Lotus.
Most days he could be found in the small but well equipped office in Dereham, Norfolk,
just a few miles from Lotus. Many working weekends involved trips to national and
regional Lotus events all over the UK, often giving talks or helping organize the
gathering. His every-day car was a Lotus Excel SE, but he also owned a
1962 Climax Elite as well as a 1967 Elan Coupe.
He will be greatly missed in the Lotus community.