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@ElitexxxI would suggest LotusBits - who have a ton of spares readily to hand - but they are usually super-busy and not always super-fast. Best chat to Mike, who I like very much but they do have their unique way of customer interaction. LotusRescue on TLF? Max500 in Guildford but I doubt he will restore it, more day to day aspect. I would strongly advise you take knowledge from those on TLF. It don't matter how nice and chatty a mechanic is - does he know your model of car inside out? Why pay someone to learn on your car? Get someone with the knowledge already. I fear £20K is light for the cost of the restoration to get the car fully restored. Chat to LotusBits, they will know how much an Elite/Excel costs to restore. They have done a few. Good luck and I really wish you all the best with the project. Justin By specialist, I mean one recommended by others on TLF. Justin

Are RMS Romford Lotus Elite specialists? Take it from someone with 30 years Lotus experience (who does no spannering and pays to get work done), only let a specialist touch your car. Justin

I bought plenty of Europa Specials in the mid-90s for between £8k and £12k, all top notch. I sold a few too and I don't recall any at more than £15k. They were easy to buy and tough to sell in the 90s. Justin

@tim_marra you should live in WhiteHeaven. All muck-shots welcome. Justin

Thanks both. I have never used ES Motorsport but will give them a call. The Sport Racer E Bay ones are I fear no use, as red stitching which I don't think can be detached and replaced as a section with my existing. The band in the middle is easy, that just un-clips and goes back on to a new/replacement card. Justin

The door card black leather (passenger) has lifted and shrunk on the top roll by the air vent. An attempt to repair failed (by others). I can get the leather renewed but matching 11 year old leather to new leather is never easy. If anyone knows a source for a door card with black leather to the top roll and lower section, please let me know. I have emailed Steve at SJ. It may be available new as DeRoure list it but it is £500+ so I will go second-hand or retrim. Is the leather from the Scottish supplier, as per seat trim? Justin

Honda lost their way in UK and Europe, certainly for cars if not bikes. They built the marque well through 60s to 90s, especially in the 80s. It is odd they appear so anonymous of late. Trapped between cheap cars and 'halo' marques perhaps but one thinks the management have misjudged the marketing and branding. Justin

Looking great and factory PPF does not appear to have yellowed, a problem on white Evora. Post some pictures of it covered in muck too.

Carbon grey with cocobolo leather? Carbon copy of my Evora. Perhaps ask the dealer to fix the passenger side airbag. Buy a Covercraft windscreen shade - to protect airbag and dash leather. Justin

Evora NA is a stunning machine. 3 years and 20,000 miles in my 2010 71,000 miler, never to be sold. The more you thrash it, the better it gets. Justin

I suspect 430 Evora will be THE ONE. It is the most powerful (factory) and easy to identify in the Evora evolution curve. The influencers and journos will be attracted to it - rightly so, I am sure. Likewise GTE but perhaps 430 will fare best. As time goes on, the Sport 410 will also be there. Carbon seats will be a halo feature (standard fit - not sure if any other Evora had them as standard?). Emira can only do good for historic Lotus, cars that have been woefully under-appreciated for far too long. World - welcome to Lotus. Justin

We already have a Bibs-endum. Justin

Welcome aboard. Emira attracting plenty of new faces, praise be. The old Lotus ain't bad either. Less said about the owners..... Justin

Bell and Colvill are the longest established Lotus dealer in UK. The owners care, the staff care. Of course there are other fab dealers (Oakmere or Silverstone for example) but if you are near Bell and Colvill, don't hesitate to use them. Proper people. Justin