Paul Matty Sportscars sold to Classic Team Lotus

By Lizzie Pope
News
 | 29 Apr 2022
Classic & Sports Car – Paul Matty Sportscars sold to Classic Team Lotus

One of the UK’s leading Lotus specialists, Paul Matty Sportscars, has been sold to Classic Team Lotus.

The company confirmed today that after 46 years, founders June and Paul Matty have decided to retire, and so the parts business is being sold to Clive Chapman, which Paul describes as “a dream for us”.

“The new Classic Team Lotus operation is very, very impressive,” Paul adds, “full of wonderful race cars and dedicated staff, all under the leadership of Clive Chapman. Does it get any better than that?!”

Classic & Sports Car – Paul Matty Sportscars sold to Classic Team Lotus

Paul Matty pictured in his showroom in 2009

The couple established Paul Matty Sportscars in 1976 and built it into a front-running company for Lotus parts and car sales.

“During those 46 years we have been able to manufacture and acquire most necessary replacement parts to keep classic Lotus cars up to the standard we all love and desire,” Paul reflects.

“We are forever indebted to all our staff over this time, who have helped us on our journey, and to all the fantastic customers around the world for their support, enabling us to fulfil our dream.”

And, to reassure owners in need of parts, he’s said: “the new operation should be up and running in the not too distant future so please, customers, watch for details to emerge.”

Classic & Sports Car – Paul Matty Sportscars sold to Classic Team Lotus

Our Steve Cropley bought a Lotus Elan M100 from trusted expert Paul Matty

As well as being a respected Lotus specialist, Paul is an avid hillclimber, having first spectated at one aged 18, at Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire.

A few decades later, in the Ian Walker Racing Elan he’d rebuilt, he made his competition debut at Loton Park, near Shrewsbury, and was hooked.

From this, the Paul Matty Sportscars Lotus Championship came into being, a hillclimb class filled with as many different types of Lotus cars as possible, providing interest for spectators and competitors alike.

It proved popular, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021 – what’s more, there’s a waiting list of people wishing to join this eclectic, competitive series.

It’s this that, at the age of 70, Paul is keen to focus on. And, “it is time to spend time playing with my own cars”. After a career of service to the classic Lotus community, who can blame him?

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