MRS PEEL LOTUS AUCTION

Auction alert: Silverstone Auctions will be offering the original Lotus Elan driven by Mrs. Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) during her color season of The Avengers! From the press release: "The late Diana Rigg joined for Series 4 and took part in 51 episodes leaving after Series 6. During Series 4, she was often seen driving a Cirrus White Elan S2 (HNK 999C) however that was returned to Lotus (subsequently becoming the property of a Director’s wife) and for Series 5 (the first in colour), an early production S3 was offered by Lotus for the series which had started to become popular in the US with obvious marketing benefits. The car is often described as an S3-SE but is, in fact, a high-spec standard pre-airflow car with the four bolt-crank, rope seal and blue cam-cover engine. It was, however, fitted with knock-on wheels and polished sill trims similar to the SE. It was finished from new in Jaguar Opalescent Blue and has been faithfully repainted in the correct shade during its recent restoration. SJH 499D featured in 19 episodes and at the end of Series 6 the car was gifted to Diana Rigg by the TV production company, ABC Television, we imagine with some support from Lotus who had undoubtedly benefited from the little car’s worldwide fame." The live auction will be held on February 25th! More info and registration here. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio: Hunter, Spy Vibe Radio: Gao Dalli CID 999, Bond Beatles 60th, William Klein R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: M Squad, Spy Vibe Radio: Mr. Broadway, Agent King, Paul at 80, Spy Vibe Radio: John Kling, Classical Cold War, Spy Vibe Radio: Unknown Man of Shandigor, Danger Man Podcast, Spy Vibe Radio: Dr. Mabuse, Bowie Day, Interview: Girls Guns Gadgets, Shandigor Blu, Shag Palm Springs, New Bond Novel, Hi-Fi Book, Judex Serial Blu, UFO Comics, Interview: John Buss, ITC Magazine, Interview: Kaiser Marionettes, Belmondo R.I.P., 007 Corgi Event, Space 1999: The Vault, Shag Eames Lounge, Firecracker Exotica, Spy Vibe Radio: Lola Albright, Tikyaki 5-0, Godzilla Scores, Mid-Century Village, Spy Vibe radio: Nicola Conte, Men's Adventure Quarterly, Billy May Frenesi, Gary Numan, Spy Vader Spy, Chris Barber Legacy, Phantom Retrospective, Astro-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Batman, James Bond Lexicon, Ray Cathode, Spy Vibe Radio: Johnny Staccato, Matt Helm Blu, Cold War Auction, Avengers Francavilla Prints, Avengers 60th Event, Irma Vep Blu, Avengers Keel Design, Ronnie Scott's Doc, The Avengers 60th Design, Art of Pan Books, John Le Carre R.I.P., Sean Connery R.I.P., New 007 Vinyl, Burke's Law Ska, Dieter Rams Complete, 2-Tone Doc, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta Part 2, Diana Rigg R.I.P., Moog Micky Dolenz, Beetle Bailey 70th, RSD Spies Vinyl, Ian Fleming Tribute, Fellini Box Set, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta, The Saint Podcast Bonus, The Saint Podcast, Barber Lotus, Trad Roots, Morricone R.I.P., Fleetway Spy Designs, John Steel Casebooks, ITC Podcast: The Persuaders, Dazzle Ships, Spy Vibe Radio: Raumpatrouille, Remembering Richard Sala, Crime & Spy Jazz books, Numan is FAB, Bruce Lee Blu, RSD Vinyl Spies, James Bond's DB5, UFO CD Set, Spy Vibe radio: Phantom Agents, Steranko is Revolutionary!, Interview: The Saint I Ain't, Diabolik Interview, New 007 Song, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The 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BARBER LOTUS

Greetings, Spy Vibers! I recently posted about some of the essential roots of rock and roll that took shape in the ruckus noise of British jazz clubs in the 1950s and early 1960s. One key player was Trad bandleader, Chris Barber, whose long career bridging New Orleans-style jazz with Skiffle, blues, gospel, and early rock has made him a kind of George Bailey in the culture. For those who never saw It's a Wonderful Life (see it- it's an amazing film), George Bailey was a character played by James Stewart, who learned that his own good efforts in the community played a crucial role in building the social fabric. Well, Barber has been making a ruckus and wonderful noise ever since he and clarinetist Monty Sunshine started a band in 1953. He also helped to make a tremendous roar in the world of racing as an enthusiast and owner of the first Lotus Elite! Spy Vibers might appreciate the aesthetics. After Lotus created a number of prototypes, they launched the Elite Series I, chassis 1009 in 1958. The car was exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show and purchased by Chris Barber. From Performance Car: "Barber raced the Elite extensively for five seasons in top level international sportscar racing, in both the UK and Europe. As well as competing in three consecutive Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1961, 1962 and winning its class in 1963 with Mike Beckwith, the Elite raced at The Nürburgring and in the British Empire Trophy. During this period it was also driven regularly by Sir John Whitmore, the ‘Racing Baronet’, who famously broke the class lap record at Spa with ‘CB 23’ while on his way to class victory in the Grand Prix GT Support Race of 1962. Other notable drivers who drove the car include Bob Olthoff." Barber's Lotus was then kept off the road for about thirty years until it went through a restoration in 2016, and then sold at auction (for £121,500). Now it's going under the hammer once again with Silver Stone Auctions (between July 31-Aug 1). Check out the auction details for more history and mechanical specs. Barber also sponsored a cycling team in the 1960s and I've seen a "Sun Chris Barber 10" model bicycle appear in cycling forums. Between the constant touring and racing, I think he must have loved being in motion. With that in mind, I imagine retirement has been challenging. Sending good thoughts! Below: Barber's Lotus, race results, Chris with teams, and video promo of the 2016 restoration. And-a-one-and-a-two, vroom!

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