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The forgotten LotusDarrenW
@darrenw
Club Retro Rides Member 74
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Feb 10, 2005 15:38:07 GMT
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Whenever there's an article about Lotus, they always mention the Seven, the Esprit, the original Elite and the later Elise... But when was the last time you saw one of these:  or     Anyone know anything about them? I remember seeing a lime green Elite at Oulton Park once, about 10 years ago. What an amazing shape! Rather dangerously, the more I'm googling for pics, the more I want one... |
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Feb 10, 2005 15:49:35 GMT
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The night I met my soon-to-be-wife, I had a race down the A3 with one of them,.. It was a warm evening and he was smoking a cigar, I would occasionally get wiffs of it through my vents!
It was then I realised I wanted one!!
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Feb 10, 2005 15:54:46 GMT
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A firend of mine bought one for £200.
Wasn't much wrong with it at all.engine was excellent.....but he was a lazy git and scrapped it i think.....muppet.
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The forgotten LotusBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Feb 10, 2005 16:13:48 GMT
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Years ago there used to be one near me. I don't know what happened to it  . I like them. As you say, they're pretty much forgotten about. They look a bit kit-carish to me and I think that would put me off owning one. Although the kudos of owning a Lotus is a plus!  |
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Feb 10, 2005 16:17:15 GMT
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Sorry - personally I like the front but it all goes wrong at the back, its kinda like the result of an accident between a Ferrari 308gts & a Reliant Scimitar  |
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Feb 10, 2005 16:19:08 GMT
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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Feb 10, 2005 16:22:30 GMT
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Weren't there 3 Lotuses (Lotii?) at the time. The esprit, elite and eclat.
Can't remember the difference between the eclat and the elite. Esprit is now best remembered as an excellent donor car for 2CV vans i beleive ;D
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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Feb 10, 2005 16:24:55 GMT
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Esprit is now best remembered as an excellent donor car for 2CV vans i beleive ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Feb 10, 2005 16:27:37 GMT
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There is a brown one in the Oxford area, I like it.  |
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Feb 10, 2005 16:58:57 GMT
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I know of two Elite's in gardens. both about 10 minutes from my house.
And i'm only about 20 minutes from Lotus HQ at hethel.
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Feb 10, 2005 17:00:49 GMT
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Those elites are a great source of engines for sunbeams/avengers and vauxhall vivas.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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Feb 10, 2005 17:18:13 GMT
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An Elite drove down the road past my house yeserday. don't know who owns it don't think its a neighbour. I did get abit excited when it went past. ;D
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 10, 2005 18:12:30 GMT
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no thank you
never liked them although the excel is ok
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Benmarina16v
Part of things
1974 2ltr 16 Valve Marina Coupe 200Bhp On The Way
Posts: 414
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Feb 10, 2005 18:55:26 GMT
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There is one near my work, white with very nice wheels...They used Marina door handles!
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 '87 2.8 Ford Capri '74 2.0 16V Marina Coupe '72 1800TC Saloon '72 1800TC Coupe -------------------------------------------- www.morrismarina.net |
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Feb 10, 2005 19:01:04 GMT
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I always preferred the excel to the elite they are both quite cheap now cos like you say people seem to foget about them and don't realise what they are.
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The forgotten LotusDarrenW
@darrenw
Club Retro Rides Member 74
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Feb 10, 2005 19:02:58 GMT
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Blimey! Maybe Widnes is the only place where there isn't one then ;D
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Feb 10, 2005 22:55:04 GMT
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My dad had an Elan Sprint when I was a kid - it was great but forever going pop expensively. It would always go back to Lotus to be fixed...
Following one expensive bang moment in the late 70s, he sent his Elan off and was given an Elite as a courtesy car. I think they were trying to get him to chop the Elan in for a four seater in view of the family.
My over-riding memory of this car was driving along and the electric windows going hay-wire - they were going up and down of their own accord! It overheated. Then it stuck itself in third for a bit. Then it overheated, again. Finally, with steam pouring out of it he limped it back home by which time the head gasket had jumped ship.
When they came to collect the Elite and return the Elan, he was asked what he thought of the car. His response, under the circumstances, was pretty fair - "total piece of curse word".
Its kinda clouded my judgement of them ever since - but I will admit that the Excell does drive VERY nicely and due to most of the running gear and electrics being Toyota its fairly reliable.... for a Lotus.
They are by far the cheapest Lotus you'll find - and if you search you can buy £2000-worth of wedge-shaped, grp crazed, aggrovation.
But as with all Lotus cars - when they work they are magical, when they don't you can hear your credit card sob.
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1964 Hillman Imp
1976 Hillman Imp
1967 Hillman Imp
(And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Feb 10, 2005 23:10:26 GMT
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there is one of those Lotus things in the a scruffy part of our town  i like em tho. |
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SkoCan
Posted a lot
Quando omni flunkus, mortati
Posts: 1,916
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I'd have thought it was French just by the pictures. Never having seen or heard of one before.
impmann's description would have re-enforced the thought ;D
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What on earth are you people talking about?! You are usually all on the ball with this whole old car thing.
It's a bloody Lotus!
They are just wrong.
They look wrong.
They are made of plastic.
They are all going to break down any minute, then cost a fortune to fix. Oh look, one just stopped again, right on cue.
They are rubbish.
All Lotus's should be piled up in a large field and set fire to. They burn well, as my uncle found out.
British engineering at it's finest. Pfft.
Now please start talking about proper cars again.
The ScrapingScrapman hath spoken. (Oh, in case you wondered, I don't like Lotus's {Loti?} very much).
As you were.
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There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes
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