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Little did I think that by introducing Ollie to Colin Chapman for a job interview in October 1970 that our paths, families, careers and lives would be so intertwined and so full of challenge, achievement, fun and heartache. Always a totally dedicated and committed 'larger than life' Lotus character, he never stopped championing Colin Chapman and his 'efficiency in all things' DNA, together with promoting Lotus cars and its innovative engineering achievements. RIP my very good and true friend of 50 years from our first working together on a small Jaguar project after finishing our a

Well I couldn't find an S4s, so bought this instead. Might be another sign I'm having a massive midlife crisis. .

So now the car is finished, and it’s definitely good to have her back.... Some pics of the updates done to the car... Cup front clam fitting; And the lovely cup louvers I had to get new wheel arch liners with the slats in so the vents would be functional (obviously not really necessary but something I always wish mine had) As has been noticed a few times on the later cars, the liners are now not fully open, so can’t see the tyres through them but can see light through when looking underneath, so think it’s more on an S-duct configuration to allow some

Not seen a thread along these lines here. Evora chat has one and I thought I’d add one here as I certainly get as many great reactions to my Exige as I did my Evora. So to kick this off... on the way back from picking up my Exige 430 Type 25 I had to pull over for petrol. As I got out the car I hear somewhere screaming “Where did you come from!?” And I turn to see a petrol station employee running over arms aloft and an expression of absolute delight on his face. He then proceeds to excitedly tell me that he and his colleagues had just been discussing their favourite cars and he’d sa

Hi Folks. I'm new to the forum (any forum, come to that!). Have had a S2 Esprit for about 5 years and own other brand classics, but recently bought my Evora GT410 Sport - the only one in NZ I'm told. I have to say its an absolute hoot to drive and be in. So urgent, responsive and goes like stink! I was at a pedestrian crossing in a small town and a lady was holding the hands of her two very young daughters (twins I guess) while crossing. I'm going to say they were maybe 2 years old? Anyway they couldn't stop staring and yelling to Mum about this black 'thing' that was on the road. Mum was less

Thought I’d post what I came across last week. On purchasing a V8 engine the seller kindly added that he had some technical drawings that he received from Brian Angus at Lotus. the engine was supplied by Lotus as a test mule for a Lancia Kit car company that never materialised and there was potential of lotus selling the uprights too so I got quite a few A0 technical drawings with the purchase that I thought you all might be interested in . I’ll get more detailed pictures when I get chance to open them all up but what a piece of history. Also has some of the amendments on them an

As one of the Americans who converses here, let me get this out of the way. Whew. YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY. There are many things to say and consider. We won a big one. It's scary how many people still voted for the jerk but we have a convincing presidential victory by the usually applied standards.. It disappoints that we didn't take more Senate seats and lost a few in the House but you fellow humans in the outside world can honestly rejoice. The President is responsible for foreign policy here which clearly is why ours has been so befuddled if not outright corrupt f

Thank you for the memory Bibs. The launch of "The Eagle"- first all new car for 13 years at the time. So many great Evora iterations and developments from a standing start in 2008. A fantastic experienced team who built in ACBC's Lotus DNA. Looking forward to a great Lotus future now, kick-started with the Evija.

Our new additions with mum.

Sunday drive in the Swiss Alps..

Couldn’t find any so had to settle for this...

When I was about 11, I would frequently cycle to a small village, Thorner (North Leeds) to drool over a white S1 Esprit. One day, whilst the owner was washing it he kindly offered to take me for a drive (different times then!). It was the most amazing experience and I'm sure that day set me on my way to being a petrolhead. As a result I've always wanted a white S1 Esprit and after many years of waiting & looking I've finally taken delivery of this beauty. It has been totally restored by former owner and SJ Sportscars and in my opinion looks superb. To say I'm excited is an

So just to add an update ... got really close to a 380 purchase, but in the end, the 410’s ‘430 heritage’ was too much to resist and the deal I was offered was ‘just too good to miss’, honest . The principle of Nitron adjustability, remarkable engine response, and the way it sits on the road (tracks will be superb I am sure), it just feels like what I always hoped my garage car would offer. Oh and the wife loved the colour too, so it was a no brainer!

As a few of you may know I recently bought a restoration project. I was looking for a project and as a kid I thought the Eclat was cool so I revisited those and couldn't decide whether I liked them or hated them. In the end I decided to give it a miss but the Excel and Elite didn't blow my skirt up and although I like the Elise and 60s Elans I have missed the boat price-wise with those. So that really only left the Esprit and then this Turbo came up which was within my very small budget. It had been sat in a barn for years and needs a total restoration. As you can see it looks very rough but t

Have some stripy GTEs. MB World May 2015.

Doesn't take much time to guess where these were taken. Steve T

Recently joined. A couple of pics of my Excel. . Had her 10 years now

Time to update this thread ..... So where was I ? 'A' post and front sill repair .. So to recap , the front sill and 'A' post was damaged because the tie plate from the steel 'A' post door mount was corroded away which allowed the main post to flex , cracking the N/S sill to wheel well area.. At the same time this flexed the whole of the front wing causing server gel and some stricture cracks .. The following 3 pics are of the lower 'A' post / sill after most of the loose damaged area has been ground away in prep for GRP lay up. All of these area's are

Yes jep. Many wanted a pure two seater but I was planning that as the new Esprit to follow the Evora. (Together with RGB I had already negotiated the V10 engine for N/S mid engined installation). Many tried to change my mind but we had the entry level Elise and a much more powerful Exige on the way and needed a more user friendly but high performance up-market sports car " stepping stone" to the Esprit to come. Russel and his team did a fabulous job. Glad that you enjoy it 62dave. It is a Colin Chapman DNA Lotus from an experienced team trained by Colin.

1938 50 foot Edwin Monk design. Twin Cats (we re-powered in 2005). Cruise is 9.1 knots at 3.6 GPH. top speed is 14.6 knots. I did most of the work in her restoration. Lots of history off course. She served in WWII in the Coast Guard as a picket vessel. That's my wife holding the line as we come to dock in the waters off Whidby Island (Puget Sound) Washington.

But at least he didn't start a war, legal or otherwise like the previous Presidential trend before him. Every cloud and all that. I'm no Trump fan (to be honest reasonably ambivalent as it's your President) however some stuff I agreed with, well the sentiment, if not how it was executed. 1. Make America great again - a call to arms for US companies and citizens to encourage and choose "made in America" to support jobs and drive prosperity and provide opportunity 2. Calling out the NATO members for NOT fulfilling their obligations financial or otherwise and assuming the US would

Congratulations USA

Little run out yesterday afternoon

Hello, just taken delivery of my Evora GT430 in Olive green and I have to say I’m over the moon with it so far. Having owned a Caterham for the past 4 years I’d had some great drives but felt it was time for a change. I started looking for something equally as interesting and exciting but also maintained the rawness and back to basics I’d become accustomed to. Also wanted something a little larger with a better level of security to allow for more everyday usability. Continuing with the theme of a British built specialist car I dropped in to the local showroom and saw this. A

Nope not a Fraser. Something far less practical lol...

You are too nice @EldonZ-- after they ask me.... "who makes Lotus", I say Ferrari. The other questions I used to get back in the day was...."how much does that car cost? and what do you do for a living? My responses.....Too much and I'm a hit man. That last one usually terminates any further discussion about my Lotus.

Dropped my car off yesterday for some ppf work- as I parked up a chap in an alpine pulled up behind me-‘ I saw you drive past my house,thought it was a new lambo,I like that a lot!’ he’d followed me to stop and chat- how’s the alpine I asked?- load of shit it’s going back tomorrow had nothing but trouble with it

Hi everyone, decided to make a thread for the journey of my Exige ownership...I’ll just add to and edit this first post as and when time allows. Quick intro, I’m Adam, 30 years old and based up near Milton Keynes and like to pull wheels off racing cars for work. Owning a Lotus had been a dream for a while, and tried my hand in a few BMW’s in the run up to taking the plunge and finally buying one...so eventually I came across one i liked enough and paid deposit... She was a Snows demo and had done 4500 miles when I got her. 70th anniversary so came with some nice options I

Yes the ball did go in the hole, she comes out the garage and try’s to do the same with any tools I leave on the floor, still looking for my 17mm ratchet spanner! When butter wouldn’t melt

Just got a fresh MOT, no advisories! Only one more MoT and its exempt.

Replicated this shot for comparison.

To Continue .... First of all apologies to @drdoom for not replying to your post .... The answer being yes grind back and re- glass... but i expect you have moved well on with your project since then.. Part 12 Base and clear coat ,building depth. Moving on .. Once we have the first layers of colour and clear coat, we allow it to gas out for several days then fully wet flat with 1500 . this will remove any of the orange peel effect you tend to get with the initial build of base then clear … After a re-masking and full spirit wipe its time to apply a fine drop coat

Hey Guys, Just an update on Dodgy Dave’s dry sump as I know a lot of you know the car. The car had not had much done to it for the last few years, so it’s condition had dropped off. The fuel hoses were cracking, the turbo was on its way out, the carbs out of balance, crud in the fuel tanks, most hoses perished, most pipes corroded, the front suspension had virtually collapsed, the rear dampers were shot, the brake hoses were leaking on the rear, rear discs were warped, front pads were dead, clutch slave was gone, paintwork was really bad with micro blisters allover, windscreen was le

A few more pics as requested. Took it out today for a few miles and is actually more comfortable than my Exige! I'm based in Leeds so if there are any recommendations of local places to help look after the car that would be great.

Exige 410 Sport - Cyan Blue Metallic

@Jack - I guess old age and treachery has out done youth and exuberance!!!

A picture from the place she deserve to be..... The circuit!!!

Hi @Vanya, In a nut shell they should not lean and did not lean when they left the factory ,... The statement they all do that or a lot do that, is just an excuse made by those who have one that leans because it is not set up correct.. Your Geo check can be fine but your ride height and spring pre-load will influence how the Esprit sits.. A mismatched damper or worn or degraded bush , maybe even a soft spring , all will have an effect.. A lot of this will depend on what you have fitted . As there is so many odds and sods available that fit with original springs and mounts etc

It is very sad that Oliver has passed. Here is the picture Kimbers wanted to see of Oliver and Mike recreating that PR shot next to my Elite (still stickered up from it's Le Mans trip) at the NEC in 2015:

Decided while I was at it, it seemed a shame to not try and fit in some updates along with matching the upgraded Cup clam. Ive never really been a fan of the 350 front access panel, didn’t really lend itself any visual drama and after looking at getting a slightly damaged used one I figured I’d be better sourcing a new one. Robert Beke @lotussilverstone managed to source me a brand new one for £1500 including VAT

^ I find little in terms of concrete results from Trump's actions regardless of their perceived intents, and I find it especially naive to dismiss the damage he has done to our public discourse and institutions. I am surprised some can fail to see how he has helped widen the divide in our society and fed into its fears. That has been his major accomplishment and what he will be remembered for. It's hardly memorable to note that he slapped ineffectual tariffs on China. On another point, Here is one view regarding what Trump's NATO policy has wrought. I find little to def

That's because it is a lot easier to say it than actually do it .!!!! This is why i take so many photo's , Its very easy to say you have done something , its another to show you have actually done it.. especially when it all gets covered up with paint ,or closed inside and engine ...

So onto the next... Sand , Grind , GRP stage .. the first job on the front wing is to get the paint off . There were a couple of strange anomalies in the paint on the N/S corner , more like sinkage , but with the odd crack so will explore reason while dealing with Cracks.. When the paint was removed it exposed a previous repair that has not been fully bridged , so that can be address as part of re-lamination process. The main wheel arch section has received major flex causing gel and structure crack ..with a lot of the gel coat removed , the stain coats started to ex

This gets around and Pence can pardon Trump for anything he has been charged or convicted of, but you can't inoculate anybody against charges that haven't yet been levied. And of course, they are not going to drag out all the dirty laundry just to pardon him for it. IMO, Trump won't resign. Should he surprise me and resign, his cabal will need to say what they are pardoning him for and/or make a Nixon style deal which entails Trump acquiescing to the will of the legislators. That could be embarrassing for him and all his sycophants and enablers. After all, resigning is for losers! Pen