Why did you buy a Lotus?

[WayneB]

Thought this subject might be interesting as we are all individuals and probably have very diverse reasons for buying our cars.

I myself always wanted an Esprit since a guy I knew in the U.K. Wayne Wainright pulled up outside a place I worked in a brand new 1978 World Champion Esprit. That car was all I could think about for weeks, but buying one on the wages I was earning at the time was not going to happen.:(

Next unforgettable Esprit encounter happened one morning on my way to my Job at Chrysler U.K.'s Whitley Plant Styling Dept., when a new 1980 Essex Turbo Esprit blasted past me on the Coventry road in the rain at about 120mph. It was the first time I had seen the new Essex Turbo Esprit , and the level of excitement it generated in me was easily equal to the first time I actually saw a Countach (high):eek:

Fast forwards to 1999 , when a good friend of mine, Duncan (who was the consumate Lotus fanatic) was killed in a freak road accident. We had often talked about Esprits , but neither of us had taken the plunge and actually bought one, so realising life can be short, I sold my beloved restored 1971 Trans-Am and bought my Monaco white 1983 Turbo Esprit, something I now realise was something I should have done years ago!:D

[USAndretti42]

I first got into Lotus in the late 60's when Motor magazine ran a road test on the S4 Elan and I was smitten. I just felt the design philosophy was so right - make it light and small so you don't need a great big engine, design the suspension properly so you can get great handling and a good ride.

Then there was Jochen Rindt's fabulous Monaco win live on the telly so I got hooked on the race team as well.

Several years later I owned a S4 for a brief time. Couldn't afford the insurance but I loved that car. After that it was a +2S which was also great with a layer of sophistication and refinement over the Elan.

Now the kids are grown up and I had some spare cash it was time again to indulge my Lotus longing. Being in the States, choice was limited compared to the UK and I thought that an Elan would be too insignificant and fragile for US roads. I was tempted by an Elite but I was concerned about its reputation for poor reliability and longevity so I bought an Esprit. I went for an N/A as a turbo seemed as it would be more trouble and too fast to drive very hard very often and become frustrating.

[TWO OLD ELANS]

Handling Superiority.

[Martin]

Underdog with performance and looks.

I have wanted an Esprit since I was 10 years old or so. I saw one in person and that is all it took.

[Brian Skeoch]

I bought mine because of the Lotus history , specifically Indy and the Supercar challenge. . I saw my first X180 R race at Long beach in 1992.

the lotus Esprit lines really grabbed my attention also. .

the history of the type 29 and 38 really blew me away.

I grew up near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway so I learned alot about Lotus history when I used to nose around Gasoline Alley as a kid.

when I was 5, in 1971 I spent alot of time at the speedway museum and would drool over the type 38 they have there. when I was in grade school we had alot of Indy drivers come to my school and speak with the kids. My school principle had connections at the speedway and every year he would ask several drivers to come to the school and speak with the boy's.

It was 1973 when I got to meet Gordon Johncock, Roger Mclereath, Salt Walter... from that moment on, I was hooked..

[Autocross7]

Underdog with performance and looks.

I have wanted an Esprit since I was 10 years old or so. I saw one in person and that is all it took.

Only thing I'd add to his exact statement is that I fell in love all over again the first time I saw an S car - and now due to an uncurable sickness I own mine.

Cameron

[Tony K]

I fell in love with the Esprit at a very young age, no doubt after seeing The Spy Who Loved Me on television. It was Thanksgiving and I was at my Aunt and Uncle's house, and it came on before we sat down to dinner. I didn't know who James Bond was and I didn't understand what was happening in the movie; I just saw that white car in that Mediterranean climate, and it was beautiful.

A month later at Christmas, my brother and I received a slot car set. One of the two cars was a white Esprit S1. I was soooooo jealous because my brother got the white car with the letters "LOTUS" on it, and I got the yellow one (a 928 that said MARTINI - PORSCHE).

The seeds had been sown.

Subsequent viewings of Bond movies and toys furthered my fascination, and as my childhood progressed, video games and magazines added to it. That's an S1 in the fifth stage of the NES game "Rad Racer". :)

Reading the magazines, the Esprit had it all: sophisticated mid-mounted engine, independent suspension with handling to match, 4-wheel disc brakes, 5-speed transmission, a body made out of something other than steel, low-slung with low center of gravity, cockpit-like interior, and it was the coolest looking car ever. It was like a race car for the street.

I had read about Lotus' philosophy of light weight, and it made complete sense to me. Along with that seemed to be a philosophy of efficiency -- getting the most power out of a tiny engine rather than just going with the most cubes. There was a sense of accomplishment and energy in the very existence and nature of the car. I don't know why, but I just liked it.

My love for Lotus grew as I entered high school, read more magazines, and hoped to maybe see one at a car show.

In college, I discovered the Robb Report and the prices of second hand Esprits. 'Hey . . . I can afford one of these if I work hard and get a good job,' I thought.

Very soon, a plastic model of an Esprit took center stage on my desk as a reminder to do well and get good grades. I continued my learning about Esprits in the form of buyers guides and my first magazines from the UK (Thoroughbred & CC, etc.).

Two years after graduating from college, I bout my first Esprit. It was everything I dreamed it would be, and more. :)

[Brian Skeoch]

very neat story Tony.

[dpr59]

British Grand Prix 1971, Jackie Stewart won in a Tyrrell.
However the Gold Leaf Lotus 49B where the one's watched.

Then in the car park there was a Lotus Europa next to my brothers car.

You could drive a car made by the race team...that was me sold for life.

Followed Lotus through Fittipaldi, Nielson, Andretti, Hakkinen and the best driver for me ever to sit in the car....Ronnie Peterson.
Watched him torture Andretti in the '78 Dutch GP, brilliant.

So, nearly bought a 2+2 130 in 1981. Was told I was going to be a dad.
So, nearly bought an Elite in 1984. Was told I was going to be a dad...again.
Then in 88 I looked an an Eclat, it was a pup.

Then in 2005 my daughter told me I was to be a grandad.

So at 46 my midlife crisis hit.

Told the wife it was either an 18yrs old Excel SA on eBay or an 18yrs old Blonde with airbags.
Apparently I'd never catch the blonde so I'd better get the car.

Now, 37 yrs after seeing my first Europa.
I have a lovely wife, three children, a grandson and a Lotus....finally.

[Martin]

Tony, that is awesome!

[Brian Skeoch]

great story.

[Kylie]

I was only a teenager.... just!! when I saw my first Lotus Esprit. Mum and I were with my aunty and went shopping for a new car for her. Went to place where they were selling new Rovers and next door there was an exotic car yard. I thought stuff looking at Rovers, I am going over there. I remember seeing two black Esprits one a G shape car and another which I think could have been a brand new 88-89 Stevens shaped Esprit. I was absolutely gob smacked by their presence and styling was like nothing else, I loved them, and oddly enough I wasnt too bothered by the Lambo or many Ferraris that were there. It was the new Lotus that did it for me. Was black with cream interior. As years went by I got enough money to purchase an 85 MR2 as this was the closest thing that kind of resembled a mini Esprit. I promised myself that one day I would get that Black Esprit if one ever came up for sale here. Then yrs later I remember watching Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct and thought holy crap there's the car. I got our local Auto trader out and wouldn't you know a black 89 carbed turbo sitting there waiting for me to buy it. Was just what I wanted and meant to be. I felt extremely attached to it straight away and never looked back. I love Esprits!!!!!!!

[dpr59]

We all seem to have achieved childhood dreams....brilliant.

Kylie,
I've said on other forums.
Having been lucky enough to visit NZ, the roads from Fox upto Greymouth we're made for these cars.

Happy Driving everyone

[WayneB]

My brother who is presently serving in the British army (Royal Engineers) loves New Zealand, and is going to live there with his family when his current tour of duty (in the Falklands) ends.

Kylie certainally lives in a beautiful country.:)

[Kimbers]

Do the words "Destiny" mean anything?

From the moment I saw my dads first Lotus, an Elan +2 in Purple, I fell in love with all things Lotus. From that time I have been breast fed Jaguar and Lotus (The net effect was a love of the E type, XJ13 and every Lotus model). Years of brain washing and reinforcing have gone on and now I am totally Lotus fed and watered.

It's funny, but despite a small stint at Lotus in the mid 80's I've always worked elsewhere (MAN, VW, Mercedes and Honda to name a few). I guess I've always thought that if I work there it would somehow spoil my feelings for the company and it's products.

So as you can imagine, after a particularly manic ride on my bike, which saw me do about 100 miles in 40 mins and most of that single or dual carriage way, my wife saying "You're going to kill yourself, why don't you sell the bike and buy that Esprit you've always wanted" was heaven to my ears.

After 2 1/2 months, New Brakes, Lights, Water leaks, broken locking wheel nuts and now a flat battery, I'm even more in love with her than ever!

My next new toy will be an Excel, maybe an M100 and then who knows.....I must have one for every day of the week....I must!:evil:

Now if someone could get me out of this straight jacket.........:)

[WayneB]

:DDo the words "Destiny" mean anything?


My next new toy will be an Excel, maybe an M100 and then who knows.....I must have one for every day of the week....I must!:evil:

Now if someone could get me out of this straight jacket.........:)

Tony,I find myself thinking more and more about Lotus Elite 504's, and I have an uncontrolable urge to buy one in the near future.

It's all your dad and Oliver Winterbottom's fault!:D

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/348292329_77a6a807f5_o.jpg

[Brian Skeoch]

man, what a great picture..

[Brian Skeoch]

hey, your steering wheel is on the wrong side..

Brian

[Kylie]

We all seem to have achieved childhood dreams....brilliant.

Kylie,
I've said on other forums.
Having been lucky enough to visit NZ, the roads from Fox upto Greymouth we're made for these cars.

Happy Driving everyone
Hi there, its really beautiful through there isnt it. My favourite road is through the Lindis Pass, this is more central South Island where the lakes are.
You have long straights and lovely twisties up over a mountain pass. And the roads are nice and wide so you can really use the full road and push hard, oh and no bugger on them too!!!

[Kylie]

My brother who is presently serving in the British army (Royal Engineers) loves New Zealand, and is going to live there with his family when his current tour of duty (in the Falklands) ends.

Kylie certainally lives in a beautiful country.:)

Hey thats great news, it might mean Wayne might come for a visit to in NZ in the future?

[WayneB]

Kylie, New Zealand is a place I have always wanted to visit.:)

My brother and his family are currently stationed in the Falklands(by his request), so I suppose he has an intense desire to live where there are alot of sheep present!

I have met and worked with a fair few Kiwi's (via motorsport) and have always gotten on with them, as they tend to be hardworking,clever and humourous.It never ceases to amaze me how young New Zealanders make pilgramages to Britian and America (with no firm job offers) to try and get to work with racing teams (and end up doing so most of the time)

And after all without Bruce McLaren , where would Ron Dennis (and Formula 1)be?

http://f1natics.co.nz/images/mclaren_logo.gif http://www.f1-blog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/mclaren_head.jpg

[Kylie]

Hi, for a small country like NZ with only 3 mill or so, we seem to be a nation of motorsport enthusiasts on the whole producing world class drivers. We have generated a few legends over the years recently as well with Possum Bourne in the WRC (hes now passed away sadly), Scott Dixon Indy cars and Johnny Reid A1GP. And theres of course all the drivers in the super V8's (Holdens/Fords).
We seem to have a race track at most large citys here and a few drag strips dotted around the country too. Most owner drivers are not rich on the whole and seems to just survive through sponsorship to keep the cars on the track. Its common to see drivers working on their own cars too sometimes and little hick unlikely garages stuffed with an exotic/rare car in there somewhere. Kiwis love working on their own cars and always trying to make them better.
We also seem to have a large number of Lotus cars here on the whole. Goes hand in hand with the whole racing pedrigree thing, everyone wants a legendary british racing car. There was a Co here called Steel Bros who worked under licience from Lotus to assemble most of the 7's we see here today. There are certainly some lovely rare cars here and I am just happy to say that I am adding the collection :D :beer:

I also remember as a kid going out to the car racing most Sundays and playing in the huge piles of used tyres and collecting stickers in the pits. Dad used to help work on his friends racing Lotus Cortinas there. It never really sank in how special those cars really were till I purchased my Esprit. Was funny Dad shook his head at me when I said I was about to purchase one as he knew how much trouble they were going to be. But he said I would rather you get a Lotus over anything else anyday !!

[WayneB]

I crewed on Scott Dixon's Johansson Indy Lights Lola at the Molson Indy Toronto about 7 years ago and got on great with him (unlike his teamate who was a bigheaded Pr*t called Ben Collins)

We all knew he was something special, and at the time my best friend was working hard to sign him up for the following season (Indy Lights again), but unfortunately my friend was killed in a road accident before the deal was done and the new team (Avro Racing) was forced to close.

Enjoyed working with him and the other Kiwis alot.:)

[Kylie]

Thats awesome Wayne, must have been fantastic working with those crews!!
Your a bit of legend in your own right! Must be that Magnum PI mow you have, girls just must let you in :D

[WayneB]

Kylie, did you know November is International Moustache Month?:confused:

I feel sorry for all the poor b*ggers who are trying to grow one in a hurry because Its suddenly become trendy again!:D

My old dad has always had one, and had a great time with the ladies in the 70's as he was always being mistaken for Jason King!:cool:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~waynedavidson/jkfilmhead1.jpg

Me, I (try to) behave myself.:evil:

http://movember.org/

[Brian Skeoch]

very cool Wayne. shame about your friend tho.

Brian

[Kylie]

Hehe! Wayne..... Movember is huge down this way and they do some really fun things for guys to encourage them to recognise the great cause the proceeds are put towards. For exmaple there is a beer company called Tui (name of a native NZ bird) here promoting guys to grow a mow and get it shaved off by beautiful promotional girls wearing next to nothing and serving them Tui beer of course!! See below

Edit to add http://www.tui.co.nz/default.asp - go to Tui mowing service!!!

[WayneB]

Mow off me Mo!:eek::eek::eek:

Then my nose would be too far from my top lip, and I would end up looking totally ridiculous.:p

I remember Peter Stevens shaved his off for a bet with the Sniff Petrol bunch a couple of years ago.:D

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/Offer_CarDes_02-1.gif

[TWO OLD ELANS]

Kylie and WayneB, your posts give me twinges of envy.

Firstly, NZ and it's quality of drivers per capita, reminds me of Finland.
Me, I'm stuck here in the land of left hand turns. It's no wonder our top drivers seem mired in the middle. (If they show up on the starting grid at all!) I think the road laws play in "continental"/"country" driver quality development. Germany of course comes to mind... Racers, learn to drive comfortably fast young legally.
Here in the don't hurt yourself USA we put the handcuffs on you before you break a law. Our speed limits are L O W which is just as well what with SuckUV's and cell phones. (Our step ladders have a Federal warning stamp on the top telling you not to stand there) (but you can drive cars with no safety inspections whatsoever). What the huh?


And the 1/2 moustache bit. If we only HAD car designers over here that are recoginised as... ??? What can I say,,, I remember Raymond Lowey, and I guess the Corvette and Viper have heroes... but the humour in that post is just something we don't seem to have here... too dry... so subtle.
Thank you guys, Eric

[Autocross7]

Gotta agree with Two Old Elans on the above... funny thing is there seem to be a lot of road race fans still in the USA - but US company backing is very lacking (even in Indy Car - which thankfully do road race again!). But, NASCAR is the rule. Good marketing that group has...

I know I am not the only fan a little annoyed at Speed Channel these days... after saying they would not do it... they did. They should just call it the NASCAR Channel. I have to DVR or sit up till the wee hours to get good road race coverage from Aussie and Europe. SCCA stuff seems to get back burnered also. I'd have to go to Road Atlanta or Barber with Kylie's new ride before it would even get recognized around here!

Cameron

[eurosport]

on topic:
I alluded to my initial exposure to Lotus in the form of a few Europas in another forum here, had a prof in college that was into cars and built a wicked Europa and would let our cadre of students work on our cars in his garage to the wee hours on beer and Letterman (the original, ca. 1980). I had a Duetto I dearly loved and he'd regale me of stories of a friend of his who lived in LA, had an Elan with some 160 horse Bean motor who cruised Mulholland smoking hot rods. It seemed like the Alfa, only more so: Webers, 1600 TC, lighter, faster, nirvana. In the process, I grew to follow motor racing and appreciated all that Lotus was and could be.

When I went looking for a Lotus a decade later, I thought I wanted a 7 but the prices were too proud and I stumbled upon my S1 for half as much. Bought it off a dentist who'd just gotten a new turbo 300zx and wanted to move on from the Esprit's quirks. Had to have it. Needed a couple of thing fixed for me to drive it the 150 or so mi home, minor things like working headlights...I show up with my then gf of 2 weeks who was going to drive my truck following me home. She was a med student and agreed to do so despite being dead tired from being on-call the night before. Car's not ready, we only have a one day window so I end up doing most of the work myself at a local Lotus shop while the owner b!tches about his back. We set out several hours late, nightfall, I stop by a friend's house on the way out of town and the throttle return spring breaks, get one off his lawn mower and we're off, only to be met with an absolute deluge on the way home. I did fine in the Esprit with a rain-x'd windshield, hardly used the wiper, I find out later she spent most of the trip singing with the radio at the top of her lungs to try to stay awake. Home well after midnight when we both had to work the next day.

yeah, she became the missus :D

E

[eurosport]

now getting a little off topic, but...
I have to agree with Cameron, et al, the Fox deal with Speedvision was like a dagger to the road-racing fan and unfortunately has pretty much come to pass as feared.

Too bad there's not more Americans in international auto racing. There have been decades of American racers and champions in MotoGP and World Superbike, but I think there's more "sell on Monday" in the bike world since a few decals, a paint scheme, and some technical features can give the buyer what he wants: to ride like the racers. Hard to translate a Mclaren-Mercedes F1 car into an SL600. Consequently there's little corporate push to support the programming. Honda and Suzuki are pretty good at backing up the bike programming.

cheers,
E.

[Autocross7]

I think I will amend my original post as to why I bought a Lotus to say that it also gave me a connection to a great man and a great team that I grew up watching race. Sport cars, Indy cars, and F1.... I'd put a fair bit of money down to bet that many Lotus owners would put this in the top 10 reasons they own a Lotus?

That is why I think it so very important for Lotus to really get back into the game. I know the Exige is doing quite well in GT3... but Lotus really needs to hit the tracks with a GT2 or GT1 car... they could toss a motor into an LMP and bend the rules a bit to get into the game (to make it sound simple) and I'd be thrilled... :gocart::icon2a::icon2a::icon15:

Cameron

[Brian Skeoch]

very well said Cameron.