At the beginning of 2019, I flew to London to meet Tim Goss, the race car driver who succesfully raced the unique Lotus Three-7 in the Clubman’s Formula. The story behind the Three-7 and the fabulous meeting with Tim was published in Club Lotus News (English) and Lotus Letters (Dutch) in 2019.

In January 2020, exactly one year after the first meeting, I met Tim Goss again. This time in and around Hethel at a stone’s throw from the Lotus factory and again the Three-7 was topic of conversation. But, this time we were not alone.

At lunchtime in The Bird in Hand, a well-known pub in Wreningham for Lotus owners, a slender, fit, well-dressed and good looking elderly gentleman smoothly and swiftly approached us with outstretched hand. What followed was a very pleasant meeting with Tim and John Berry, a sympathetic and somewhat mysterious man. John was Lotus’s home sales manager in the 60s and early 70s and also the very first owner and driver of the Three-7.

Many stories crossed the table, while we were enjoying our lunch and drinks. His entry in the automotive world by TVR, his talent to sell anything and everything (contraband anyone?), his friendship with Colin Chapman, the Moonraker adventure, the CIA. The Lotus Three-7 of course, and also the Lotus 30. And more. This was an unforgettable afternoon in rural Norfolk.

His story will be published in Club Lotus News and Lotus Letters in April 2020.