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Tony Rudd was nearly fired by Chapman having the trim on his banana yellow Elite anodised black. In penance, he was made responsible for ensuring that company cars did not deviate from factory specification. He was amused to see that the colour scheme on Chapman’s boats at the boat show the following year was...banana yellow with black trim!

Very interesting - you don’t see many of these Donington conversions about. Shame that the bright window trim has been painted rather than restored - it is difficult/expensive to find - but looks a decent car for a patient owner to restore/recommission. Would love it with a decent auto gearbox (like the ZF 4 speed fitted to the Excel SA) Cheers, Richard

Fabulous pictures! That 520 has the 13” steel wheels - very rare, you don’t see many. The car would have had the Ford four speed gearbox. The wheels were from the Lotus Cortina and may also have been used on the Elan range. Notice the absence of door mirrors on this entry level car!

Those are Speedline wheels. The design was first introduced on the Esprit S2 in 1978, then on the Eclat and Elite S2.2 (although some Elites continued to use the GKN Turbines), and then on the early Excels until they went to 15” wheels. The design was another of Oliver Winterbottom’s ‘Saturday morning specials’ having been asked by Chapman to come up with a replacement for the Wolfrace wheels used on the S1 Esprit, while Oliver was working at JCL Marine, Chapman’s boat company. Cheers, Richard

Wednesday’s meeting: Topic: Elite Eclat and Excel owners meeting Time: Mar 3, 2021 06:30 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77036665896?pwd=WDgxVFZHOFBrcWpYSEZBUmNVcGp1Zz09 Meeting ID: 770 3666 5896 Passcode: G0F7jk See you there Richard

Wednesday’s meeting: Topic: Elite Eclat Excel owners’ meeting Time: Feb 17, 2021 06:30 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75564394382?pwd=cEFSWDdzekNGMjFFWForR1cwTjBBZz09 Meeting ID: 755 6439 4382 Passcode: 33w9KX See you there Richard

Could it be this simple? Asthma inhalers offer 90% reduction in severe Covid symptoms: https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/02/10/medical-trial-cheap-asthma-inhalers-90-reduction-in-severe-covid-symptoms/ Richard

Wednesday’s meeting details: Time: Feb 3, 2021 06:30 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78135298674?pwd=OGVLYnp1d28wRDdHVTBaeGFzbTUwZz09 Meeting ID: 781 3529 8674 Passcode: 6vPtaU .zoom.us/j/78135298674?pwd=OGVLYnp1d28wRDdHVTBaeGFzbTUwZz09 Meeting ID: 781 3529 8674 Passcode: 6vPtaU See you then Richard

Apparently from an NHS Nurse: Medical experts were asked if it is time to ease the lockdown. Allergists were in favor of scratching it, but Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but Neurologists thought the government had a lot of nerve. Obstetricians felt certain everyone was laboring under a misconception, while Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Many Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body!” while Pediatricians said, “Oh, grow up!” Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while Radiologis

On again this Wednesday: Topic: Elite, Eclat, Excel owners’ meeting Time: Jan 20, 2021 06:30 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71841890365?pwd=RlJLV1dPelpHVE8yOHJsMjhWL01FZz09 Meeting ID: 718 4189 0365 Passcode: LvB0wT Cheers, Richard

Yes, I’d be interested also! My car has a 912 engine with a DTA ECU And fuel injection using twin Jenvey throttle bodies. This conversion was fitted by Lotusbits, and I have been very pleased with it. Richard

Absolutely wonderful. She looks gorgeous! Thank you so much for taking the time to post your experience with all the pictures. You are an inspiration to us all. Now I hope you can do plenty of driving on those great roads and show the locals true style, competence and efficiency! Cheers and wishing you a very happy and successful 2021 Richard

Here’s the next meeting info: Time: Jan 6, 2021 06:30 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77359901032?pwd=U3dFZ0VwWjh2QTBnWEExeHhIQlJyQT09 Meeting ID: 773 5990 1032 Passcode: W5x4cC Cheers, Richard

Hi Bernard, I’ve looked at the wiring diagram you helpfully posted! I can’t see any relays in the headlamp circuit, and it looks like the solenoid valves are powered directly once the headlamps are switched on. My guess would be a dodgy earth as they both behave the same way and use a common earth, according to the wiring diagram. There is also something called a thermal interrupter that looks as though it protects against circuit overload so I suppose the problem could be there but I have no idea where you might find it! If you trace the vacuum pipes to the pods they should lead you directly

Definitely worth cleaning up the electrical connections and earth to the relay/solenoid. Problems in this area will magnify the effect of any voltage variations, which the unit should be able to tolerate, unless the solenoid itself is getting lazy. cheers, Richard