Leigh Greenham

Hi Ian, My Elite S2.2 was ordered by the F1 team and painted and trimmed in the colours of the two main F1 sponsors for 1980, Essex Petroleum and Tissot. So it mimics the Essex Esprit Turbo's colour scheme of dark blue paint with full red leather interior, but with a less obvious red/silver stripe near the sills and small Essex logos on the doors and Tissot on the rear window. It was rushed through the factory in time to be on the ferry to Belgium for the GP there, then a fortnight later it was in Monaco, then Spain, Germany, Netherlands etc. A driver took it to the circuits so it coul

Hi Ian, my Essex Elite was registered LCL 852V on 25 April 1980 and has chassis number ending 1689. Being the Team Lotus F1 team car, it was in Belgium for the Grand Prix on 4 May 1980, although the Lotus archive says it "left the production line on 8 May 1980"! The archivist states "the first S2.2 Elite was 1637A" which agrees with Duncan's post. I have physically seen LCL 853V (S2.2 Elite) and LCL 854V (Esprit).

....and here's that Essex Sunbeam in the background of this pic of the 1980 Monaco GP paddock, with my Essex Elite and an Essex Mini.

Hi Mark, that was me on my way to the Silverstone Experience Museum where I am a volunteer. If I had set out a few minutes earlier we could have had a nice convoy going, whereas just when I caught up with your Challenger you disappeared off the M40 onto the Bicester sliproad! The Museum car park is often an interesting place! Leigh South Oxfordshire

You might recognise the car on slide 11 https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/enthusiasts/who-says-estate-cars-arent-sexy/ss-BB116u2d?ocid=spartandhp Leigh

Just a reminder about this request, I've not had any responses from any owners, and my email to the regional Autobahnstormers person went unanswered. I was particularly hoping to track down the estate version that attended the Lotus 70th at Hethel in 2018, as my uncle was very intrigued when I told him about it. Any ideas welcomed.

Also interested in a set of 4, as long as not exorbitant. It seems only recently I fitted a set of Falkens, but actually that was in 2012 !! Leigh

Thanks Bibs, please cross post for me. I am happy for you to post my email address [email protected] Leigh

My uncle, John Rutherford, was the key marketing guy at Vauxhall responsible for the interface between GM and Hethel when the Lotus Carlton was being developed, apparently he is mentioned in the glossy book. He turns 80 on the 3rd April 2020, so I wondered whether I might surprise him by having a Lotus Carlton arrive on his driveway and take him for a short drive. He mentions the project occasionally when I see him, with anecdotes of conducting high speed laps at Millbrook Proving Ground, not far from his home near Junction 12 of the M1. If anyone is up for this, I will check with Uncle

Thanks again Richard for coordinating the display, and it was fun chasing you around the circuit with my rear-view mirror full of Paul's brown car. Who knew you could get up to 80mph on a few parade laps? Why wait for the 40th Excel anniversary in 2022 when it will be the 40th anniversary of the S2.2 next year!!!!!! My new camera-phone did a half decent job of a portrait of my car. Leigh

I should be able to get there mid-morning with the Essex Elite S2.2 Leigh

Hi Max, I've also just sent you a personal message with my details. Leigh

I agree with the idea of donating money or paying for prototype parts to be tested in-situ in a variety of different Elites, with no liabilities on the supplier. Leigh Oxford

Hi Max, I am really keen to buy one of these kits from you. I've got the Essex Elite S2.2, and the weakest point of the car is the clutch pulley assembly. I carry a spare clutch cable with me (two snaps in 30,000 miles despite lubrication), and I would love to have a permanent solution, which your kit should provide. In fact I am already planning to swap the entire pedal box this spring, as my existing pedal box has a deformed pulley mounting bracket where the forces have pulled the pulley's axle towards the pedal, if you see what I mean. So I bought a replacement pedal box, have strengthe