SurreyPaul 4 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I’ve been posting here awhile but haven’t yet introduced myself. I’m Paul from Surrey with a 1997 Lotus Elise, which was a 50th birthday present from me to me in 1999. Since then I’ve had some happy days at Goodwood and have clocked up over 90,000 miles of driving fun - notwithstanding a few frustrating mechanical problems and heavy expense along the way. Alas, the greatest impediments to driving pleasure these last 10 years are the increasingly potholed roads of Surrey and the proliferation of huge off-road 4x4s, which are now everywhere. But despite being hit three times by Chelsea Tractors on their school run my car has always been lovingly restored and after seventeen years still looks as bright and fresh as when I first bought it. I have just applied the soft top’s annual renovation and polished the body work, leaving it gleaming like a mirror. It also has a new engine supplied by Ivor Searle. All that is required now is some sunshine for balmy summer days and trips to coast and country. I have a congenital back problem and the seat of the Elise is the only one that provides complete comfort so it seems I’m stuck with it until such time as I am unable to climb in ☺ and hope to continue enjoying it for the foreseeable future. Looking forward to receiving words of mechanical wisdom from the gurus here. Paul 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pits 4,411 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Great story, welcome to the forum. We'd love to see some pics of this car, sounds like quite a little legend already. Amazing how many moan about getting in and out of an Elise, yet it's the only car someone with your back problems can drive comfortably! Such great cars, still nothing else like them now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loose Cannon 582 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Welcome to the forum. The story of Elise vs. leviathan 4x4 sounds a bit familiar, you must have been featured on another forum or club sometime. Glad to hear the car survived! Quote In the garage no-one can hear you scream Link to post Share on other sites
SurreyPaul 4 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 OK, I've just whipped outside and taken some shots. As I mentioned, the car has been hit three times in the past ten years, the last time being in September 2015 when a 4x4 reversed into me. When I lived in Effingham I became acquainted with a drinking companion at The Plough, Martin Sheward, who is a fibreglass and carbon-fibre specialist doing work, amongst others, for F1 teams. Just how he manages each time to restore the bodywork so that it is absolutely perfect remains a mystery - at least to me. The side you see in the picture was smashed up in 2006, but you wouldn't believe it. Constant defensive driving against other, larger vehicles and pothole avoidance has taken some of the pleasure out of owning a small sports car, but I still love it, and the comfort is second to none. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theelanman 512 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 welcome.... Quote The Faster You Drive...The Slower You Age (Albert Einstein 14 March 1879 - 18 April 1955) Link to post Share on other sites
ramjet 1,096 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Welcome to TLF Paul. Not sure what is going on, but I can't see the photos and am therefore sad. Any questions or issues with using the forums, feel free to ask one of us mods. We're here to help. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. Link to post Share on other sites
Buddsy 1,658 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Hi welcome to the forum. Nice story and nice car! Excellent work! And what a great present! 8 minutes ago, ramjet said: Not sure what is going on, but I can't see the photos and am therefore sad. Was probably me just turning them round Buddsy Quote "Belief is the enemy of knowing" - Crrow777 Link to post Share on other sites
ramjet 1,096 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 That's much better Buddsy. Thanks heaps. Looking good Paul. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. Link to post Share on other sites
silverfrost 1,390 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Welcome to the forums Paul Quote A Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,707 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Lovely car! Welcome to TLF, Elise S1's are so good I'm quite happy with 2 of them! 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 post Share on other sites
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