Design treasure trove donated

Late Lotus legend Ron Hickman’s papers and sketches given to museum

A HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT collection of sketches, drawings and photographs has been given to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu by the widow of Lotus design legend Ron Hickman. Helen Hickman’s generous decision to donate the collection comes seven years after the death of the designer and inventor (pictured above) at the age of 78.

The items span his career in vehicle design, unsurprisingly with a strong emphasis on his time at Lotus. Most of the 100 sketches and drawings are originals, along with numerous reference photographs, documents and copies of sketches. On top of that there are around 60 box files packed with correspondence about his autobiography and other matters, as well as a complete project showing his proposed redesign of the Caterham Seven.

Having started with Ford in 1954 and helped craft the clays for the 105E Anglia, Hickman will best be remembered in the automotive sphere for his work on the trio of Lotuses in which he was instrumental – the Elan, Elan +2 and Europa – as well as contributing to Peter Kirwan-Taylor’s innovative glassfibre monocoque Elite.

However, the South African-born designer made his name – and his substantial fortune – when he invented what would become the Black & Decker Workmate. Massproduced from 1973, the foldable workbench shifted more than 10-million units in its first decade and was soon to be seen hanging from virtually every garage wall. According to the latest figures, some 30 million have now been sold.

Financially secure, Hickman retired to Jersey in the Channel Islands and indulged his passion for classic cars, in particular imposing V16 Cadillacs. He owned, and regularly drove around the island, a spectacular 1931 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood.

Andrea Bishop, National Motor Museum Trust director of collections, said: ‘We extend grateful thanks to Mrs Hickman for this generous and important donation. Ron Hickman’s significant contribution to automotive design adds a fascinating insight into the development of Lotus cars to our motoring archive. We are looking forward to exploring this large collection and sharing some of its content on our website next year.’