Early production Grand Prixs have center-pull brakes, chromed steel rims, water-slide seat tube band decals and a Lotus flower decal on the head tube, gradually these parts were replaced with side-pull brakes, alloy rims with rear spoke protector, Mylar seat tube band decals and riveted head badges. We have observed a few Grand Prix models with a blend of these features suggesting that the changes were introduced gradually or just changed as parts were available.

The Grand Prix was one of the few Lotus models to use high-flange hubs and a chrome spoke protector.

The Grand Prix was only available for two years in 1980 and 1981, as such it was the only first-generation Lotus model not continued into further generations.

We've uncovered some old dealer information that shows the 1981 Grand Prix was available with either alloy or steel rims.  The alloy rim Grand Prix cost $250.00 and the steel steed was only $237.00.  Why someone would choose steel wheels over alloy wheels to save only $13.00, we don't know. These were probably list prices and are from a bicycle shop in New York City, so they are probably on the higher side of the price curve.  Lotus bikes were frequently discounted.  

The 1981 Lotus Excelle listed at only $24.00 more than the alloy-rim Grand Prix. It's probably the proximity of the cost of the Grand Prix to the Excelle, the subtle understated advertising, and brief production of the Grand Prix that makes it one of the more difficult Lotus bikes to find today.

In 1982 the Grand Prix was upgraded slightly to the Lotus Grand Prix Luxe, which was only available for one year. Around 1982 Lotus had partnered with Pacific Cycles in Taiwan to produce some of the entry-level Lotus models, which would be shown in the 1983 Lotus Catalog. The Pacific Cycles Lotus Lotus Elan and Elan Mixte were the closest replacements for the Grand Prix.

The first-generation Grand Prix was available in three colors: Blue, Silver, and Black.