By alley - Jan 7, 2016, 10:52 AM ET

Classic Team Lotus set for expanded facility

Classic Team Lotus, the organization founded by Lotus founder Colin Chapman's son Clive to preserve and promote the history of the famous team and act as a point of focus for all the owners of Lotus racecars, is set to replace its small workshop in Hethel, England with a new facility close to the existing site after getting approval for the expansion from the local council's planning committee. The group offers tours to the public of its shop, as well as preparing historic Lotus racecars for customers.

"The existing workshop has held back the company," Clive Chapman told the

Eastern Daily Press

. "Recently we have turned away customers for the want of better space and premises."

Chapman said that the company now has 14 full-time employees, with a six-car transporter and a workshop of 6,000 sq ft. The new race shop will house historic Lotus cars.