obione Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Yesterday morning I owned a Lotus...not any longer. For five and a half years I have really enjoyed owning this car, but yesterday at around 3pm, on the A27 going around Chichester, whilst overtaking a car, the fuel caught alight, instantly setting the car ablaze. Within three or four seconds of me realising what was going on, the engine died, and as I pulled off the road the brakes failed as well. I grabbed my phone and as I was opening the car door, I could feel the back of my head getting hot Quote This book is guaranteed to NOT change your life…but it does mention a Lotus Esprit...To enjoy this masterpiece, download Martin now. Simples!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Edwards Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 OMG really sorry to see that. I remember how I felt when my first Esprit disintigrated. Double shame really as it was such a nice day and you could have BBQd a sausage and had a snack while waiting for a lift.....(sorry) Quote Twitter @radioRedwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPx Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 That car has been Well done for getting out. Good luck with the clear up and follow up. Quote Loving Lionel and Eleanor......missing Charlie and Sonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard100 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Second that "sorry to hear that" - what a nightmare......... I'm actually lost for words........I thought my s1 restoration was a hard job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_england99 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Andrew, I second OMG. Glad you got out OK. Regards, Peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Very sorry to hear about this Andrew. At least you're ok. Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Fandango Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 That's scary. There's nothing left! Glad you got out ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Shocking and dreadful pictures. Thank God you are okay. Quote Just because you can, does'nt mean you should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM mayevora Posted June 14, 2009 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Crickey Andrew!!!! Again glad you got out. What a nightmare sight! Any smell of fuel beforehand? Ian Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
internets Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Very sorry to see that but the most important thing is your safe, cars can be replaced Quote 1982 DeLorean DMC 12 #16327, 1999 Lotus Elise, 1998 Lotus Esprit GT3 #2272, 2011 Lotus Evora S, 2013 Lotus Exige S,2016 Lotus Evora 400,2019 Lotus Elise Cup 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy67 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Those pictures have shocked me Andrew... Especially after driving best part of 300 miles in my car today. As other members have said, "glad you are ok"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Very sorry to see mate. Have met you many times and liked your S3 as it was very similar to my old S3. The third picture down is a real heartbreaker, i hope you get the insurance sorted well and are happy enough to stay with the brand/model. Been a long time since we had a member with a burned out car, might have even been that S2 a few years back. it's always in the back of your mind though, only yesterday i had the cat overheat warning come on the Elise, followed by a get you home mode limiting me to 4000 revs. When i slowed and stopped to get it to cool there was still that very 'lotus' thing going on in the rear view mirror, looking at the engine cover to make sure all is well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbell9 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thats an OMFG set of pictures. Main thing is that you are safe and sound. But you have our sympathy , losing your car like that has got to hurt for real. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbjs 260 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Very sad to see another lotus gone. Does anyone have a fire eater fitted to their esprit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Utmost commiserations - what a painful sight! Any idea where the leak could have come from to cause the fire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 (edited) That has to be one of the saddest sights. Obviously goes without saying glad your OK which is the most important thing but to lose your car like that must be horrifying I think all old carbd cars MUST have automatic extinguishers in them - thats way too many of I have hear not going up in flames (Paul there's been a few iirc) - I fear one day someone's not going to be as lucky. Can't help but mourn the machine as well - sad loss. Edited June 14, 2009 by Jonathan Quote facebook = [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advantage Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Oh dear. As said before, at least you're ok - that's the important thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backmarker Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thats really sad. Great that you managed to get out unscathed. Brings home to me how lucky I was driving my V8 to the garage this week with a cockpit full of fumes. "There but for the grace of God" springs to mind. Hope you decide to stick with the marque once the insurer pays up Quote Wing Commander Dibble DFC<br /><br /> North Midlands Esprit Group<br /><br />NMEG "the formidable squadron"<br /><br /> "probably the most active Esprit group in the world" Andy Betts, Castle Combe May 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinywillyuk Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Having spoken to Andrew last night after the event and seen the pictures I'm still saddened. She looked great just last week at Goodwood. But I think (I hope?) I can safely say that his sense of humour is just about intact - and maybe its in bad taste and flame me if you will but you only live once - so heck in this instance I think you could rename his car the Lotus Evapora - taking weight reduction to a whole new level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonE Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Sorry sight indeed, but you got out ok thats the important thing. Losing your Lotus is like losing a best friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbclotus Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Gutted for you......................... Very sad pictures.Glad you are ok .Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconic Ride Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I guess that's why the generic term is "Fire Engine Red," Andrew. Never thought it was meant to be taken literally. On the bright side, you did enjoy the benefit of 5 and a half years of motoring excellence, and here's hoping that you find a suitable successor and remain within the community. And now that you've been given a second chance at life, exactly what great things will you be looking to accomplish? Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Glad you got out, and were free of injuries. yes, it's another Esprit gone, but it's nothing to how it would have been if you or a passenger had been injured, so be thankful that it was just shocking and traumatising, not physically painful. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I feel devastated for you Andrew, horrid sight. Good luck with the insurance and purchase of a new car, let me know if there's anything I can do to help. Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73JPS Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Sorry for the loss, glad you are okay. Those are at once spectacular and horrifying pictures. I wish you satisfaction from your insurance carrier, and hope you get another Lotus. Quote "At home, I have a King Sized bed. Now, I don't know any Kings, but I would imagine if one were to come over, he would be comfortable." -Mitch Hedberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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