cazalea
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Story of an Old Friend: Lotus Elan, Part 2
This is the second installment in my 24-year ownership of Elan 0149K. The first article tells about its purchase and restoration.
Before I get into my experiences driving my car, I have to say that I went to Scotland shortly after I finished its restoration. I was stunned to find this car outside my B&B one morning.
The happy owner (and his wife who looks fearful of a long drive on a cool Scottish morning with hood down).
I was happy to see we got the bumper color correct - my car had silver bumpers when I got it but underneath we found gold, so painted them that color. BTW this is the first car ever to have 'glass over foam bumpers. Light, attractive and utterly useless.
OK, on to the driving experiences.
DRIVING THE ELAN
These pictures were taken Memorial Day weekend, 1998 - 20 years ago.
I will admit that the year-plus restoration was daunting. I didn't know if it would all come together. So I bought myself another Elan to drive in the interim.
Not on purpose, you know. Just saw it, and bought it as one might do with a watch ...
So from the time the restoration was finished, we had two Lotuses and could each drive them on a day out. OR we could choose one or the other as the mood struck us (or if one was running).
The rest of my fleet had changed - now a new Citroen and a Corvair Rampside which also got restored. How did I ever find time to work for a living?
It was during this time that I got interested in watches, too, which distracted me a great deal from my cars. Here's a Grand Seiko, photo from 10 years ago this month.
Here's another shot a few days later, with an IKEPOD.
We were standing in the back yard at a friend's house on the 4th of July. I heard a CRUNCH from the street and ran out to see a Chevy Van on the nose of my Lotus. The neighbor had backed out of her driveway without looking and ran into the parked Lotus. Luckily Greg had some paint from the original mix, and fixed it quickly and for less than $600.
Please forgive the mix of old and new camera and scanning technology.
Car show in the mountains with some other Lotuses.
Getting towed home. A disgraceful episode to be on the end of a rope behind a Prius. I forget exactly what happened but it wasn't major.
Getting towed home. A disgraceful episode to be on the end of a rope behind a Prius. I forget exactly what happened but it wasn't major.
The rest of the Lowtus driving experiences have been more like this - to mountaintops and seasides.
We organized a few "Drive in the Country" days with friends who had sporty cars.
It was a bit rainy so we took shelter in the open cars without tops
We organized a few "Drive in the Country" days with friends who had sporty cars.
It was a bit rainy so we took shelter in the open cars without tops
And I try to do an annual run around the county as well, in one car or the other. See my report from last week.
We did a British Car Club Run around San Diego a few years ago, in the company of some big guns.
Yes, they were "looking down on us" for having a Lotus.
I haven't been shy in driving it around the county but I admit we have not driven it hundreds of miles away - because South is Mexico, East is desert, West is Ocean, North is Los Angeles. I stay near home in this car.
In an act of lunacy I bought a Caterham 7 which gave us 3 Lotuses at once - a bit like owning 3 Pateks, I suppose. OR rather 3 MB&Fs.
Please come back for the finale in Part 3.
The Story of an Old Friend: Lotus Elan, Part 1
This is the story of my 1971 Lotus Elan #0149K. It is the second of the 5 Lotuses I have agreed to buy, garage, title, maintain and occasionally drive. It's the Lotus I have owned the longest - in fact I bought it 24 years and 3 days ago, for $8000 from a...
Story of an Old Friend: Lotus Elan, Part 2
This is the second installment in my 24-year ownership of Elan 0149K. The first article tells about its purchase and restoration. Before I get into my experiences driving my car, I have to say that I went to Scotland shortly after I finished its restorati...
I remember your last picture very well, and saved it in my hard disc many years ago... Fantastic to have the three of them.
I know what you mean when you write that you don't want to go too far from home with this Elan. Still, a bit of a pity, as driving it for a long trip would have been an even more superb experience. Can't wait for Part Three. Best, Nicolas
The charm of vintage cars. They all require attention and work, more or less...
But it is so rewarding! Thank you so much for tjis superb post, Mike. Best, Nicolas
Yes, but "more work" means my aching back and hands will suffer even more
I'm smarter about these things than I used to be, but not so flexible or able to get down into this engine compartment!
Story of an Old Friend: Lotus Elan, Part 3
LOWTUS had been languishing in the garage for 2 1/2 years, from what I can recall. No particular reason - just a host of small problems and multiplicity of other life events going on. But my wife was nagging (gently reminding) me to get it going again. Fr...
LUCAS - THE KING OF DARKNESS !
Beautifull story of a wonderfull car with and a great motor! Best Walter
Story of an Old Friend: Lotus Elan, Part 4
I think I should conclude with the results of today's test drive. LOWTUS started right up, with just a few seconds cranking and a bit of choke. I got out on the freeway for a 20-mile run before the sun and tourists came out to play on the freeways. I had ...
Great history & write up of your 'pocket rocket' LOTUS, Mike - thanks for sharing.
and good to see this particular Elan to have less ( L oads O f T rouble) U sually S erious problems too ;-) Cheers Giles
Alas it's got loads of trouble, not that serious
Current issue involves rebuilding the pedal box (shaft & pedals) as when you press the brake the clutch goes down, and partly vice versa. And the headlights don't work. And the doors must be realigned which is about as easy as exiting the EU. Otherwise, i...
All in a 50yo cars day ;-)
I look forward to having an analogue car again & when I have the time to commit to it - alas that’s still some yrs away. Cheers. Giles.
Giant killers
Always enjoyed watching Lotuses take on much bigger competition at vintage races. They punch above their weight class. What a wonderful long term relationship and a beautiful Elan. Thank you for sharing your story, Wojo