Best known as the Show Car supplier to F1® and for operating the officially licenced platform, F1® Authentics, Memento Exclusives has produced perfect replicas of current-gen cars for teams across the grid since 2019. These creations are regularly seen at livery launches, exhibitions, circuits and partner activations around the world. Scarce quantities are made available for private purchase, making them sought-after showpieces for premium collectors.  

The Lotus 97T Show Car project is considered a milestone achievement, as it marks the first heritage edition produced by Memento Exclusives in partnership with Classic Team Lotus. Typically, Show Cars are based on modern examples, with contemporary information, such as CAD data, used to devise a perfect 1:1 recreation.  

The remaster of the Lotus 97T into a modern-day Show Car represents a different proposition, applying the latest engineering innovations to a legendary creation from over four decades ago. This has made the direct partnership with Classic Team Lotus essential.  

Team Lotus archive materials never shared for this purpose before have been utilised including hand drawn designs, original build documents, design information and heritage reference data. The Show Car will be built using many of the same materials and original construction technologies as the original 97T, with support from individuals who worked on the 1985 car. Each of the 10 released will be recognised by individual chassis plates making them formally identified and uniquely registered within the Team Lotus archive. 

Memento Exclusives are documenting the progression of the project in a brand-new YouTube series, providing behind the scenes previews, exclusive interviews and never-seen insights into bringing a heritage Show Car to life. 

The 97T was the car that realised Team Lotus’ return to the winner’s circle three years after the sudden death of Colin Chapman. John Player maintained its famous black and gold sponsorship and French designer Gérard Ducarouge joined as Technical Director, devising what has become widely considered one of the most beautiful, competitive and historically significant cars to have ever raced in the sport.  

For the 1985 season Elio De Angelis, who raced more Grands Prix for Team Lotus than any other driver, was joined by the promising Ayrton Senna. Team Lotus made its mark in the third race of the season at the Portuguese GP, where Senna and De Angelis ran first and second for much of the race in atrociously wet conditions. Senna famously led from flag to flag to win his first Grand Prix by more than one minute. At the next race, De Angelis made it two in a row by winning the San Marino GP, before Senna added a third victory at the Belgian GP.  The extraordinary speed of the 97T was evidenced by its unrivalled seven pole positions across the 16-race season.  

The black and gold livery is instantly recognisable. An iconic look representing iconic moments from a bygone era. For Formula 1 collectors, owning a Show Car reflecting this vehicle, endorsed by Classic Team Lotus, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most emotionally resonant and significant F1® cars in history.  

 

Classic Team Lotus now protects, preserves and promotes the history of the iconic Formula One team, responsible for licensing opportunities and providing restoration, maintenance and operation of historic Team Lotus Formula cars; all from the original team factory facility based in Hethel, Norfolk.