Another Lotus Owner Says Hello!

[Dave Lindemann]

Hi everyone -
I've been lurking for some time now and thought I'd finally register.

I don't own a GT40 - yet. The last 10 years have been spent restoring a 1977 Lotus Esprit which is basically complete at this point. My other project is a 1973 Lotus Europa. The Europa is undergoing an engine (Toyota 4AGE 20V) and transmission (Renault NG3) conversion. I'm struggling with the fact I'd have to sell the Esprit to buy a GT40 due to limited space and $$. The restoration was a labor of love and now that the car is reliable and restored I kind of hate to part with it.

I've been interested in replica GT40s for years and even have a brochure from Tornado that dates back to 1996 - so I've been thinking about it for a while! I've only seen 2 GT40s in person and neither owner would say which manufacturer produced them - I think they wanted people to believe they were "the real thing" (IMHO - they weren't). I've looked at as many manufacturer's sites as I've been able to find - MDA, Tornado, RCR, RF, etc. and I'm really impressed with how the replica market has progressed. The quality of the kits is very impressive. At this point I'm leaning towards RF because of the quality and completeness of the kits for the price. I'm also very impressed that the owner participates on a forum like this (I know others do as well).

My plan is to sell the Esprit in the spring and go from there. I probably won't have much to offer the forum immediately but hope to be more active in the future. This is really a great forum and I read the posts with interest - particularly the build rpojects and updates from the various manufacturers.

I hate to end with a stupid question but if one wants to add an avatar how does one get a photo with less than a 1K file size so that it will upload? I've tried Photoshop and the picture becomes unrecognizable.

Thanks!
Dave Lindemann

[lisalotus]

Hi Dave

Welcome, I too own a lotus esprit [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img], and am looking at buying a gt, but I wouldn,t sell my esprit for all the tea in China. These gt,s sure are rare, I,m still a bit torn as to whether or not to have another esprit, or wait till a gt comes along at the right price. Trouble is at the moment I,ve only got access to around £20k and its burning a hole in my pocket, so do I go and buy a real nice v8 that I,ve got my eye on or do I save a bit more and wait for a gt???????????, hmmmm, I guess I,m in no hurry, probably wait for the spring and see whats around then.
Any way good luck with your quest to find a nice gt, you will find loads of good advise on this forum

Happy New Year
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
Lisa

[Bigend]

I think that GT40 and Lotus go very well together.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

[Dave Lindemann]

Hi Lisa - and thanks for the welcome!

Out of curiousity, have you driven a V8? They are beautiful cars and finished to a much higher standard than any of the previous Esprits - well probably not that much higher than yours but definitely higher than my S1. The V8s are very different cars - more HP definitely, but also heavier and not as nimble (IMHO). If you dream of a GT40 I'd definitely try to wait to find the "right" car. I've made compromises with cars in the past and have always regretted them. For me the "ultimate" is a GT40.

I hope you and your family have a happy and safe New Year!

Dave Lindemann

[Dave Lindemann]

Hi Jasper - nice car!

I agree completely! I don't think I'll ever be without a Lotus (I plan to keep the Europa) because they are so much fun. No where near the HP of a 40 but they are a blast to drive in the twisties!

Dave

[lisalotus]

Hi Dave

No I havn,t driven the v8 yet, neither have I driven a gt. I know what you mean about the handling of the lotus, it is suberb (in the dry that is, a complete bitch in the wet), On a sunny day, dry road conditions, on a road you know, theres nothing like it, its sticks to the road like a tram. I just hope I get as much out of my next car as I do my s4. The v8 I,ve got my eye on, has been played with and is now putting out 500bhp [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img], its not that I have a death wish or anything, but thats got to be pretty quick. To bring my s4 up to that sort of spec, I,d have to spend a wheel barrow full of money and even then I,d be surprised if you,d ever get 500bhp out of it. Getting back to the gt, I agree with you that it is the ultimate, if you can find a nice proper sorted one, for the right sort of money. I would really like to drive one before I finally make up my mind.
I.ll keep you posted on what I end up with, and you,ll have to let me know when you get a gt, and let me know how it compares to the esprit.

All the best

Lisa

[lisalotus]

Hi Jasper

Yeh I agree they do look kinda nice together, and all the esprit guys that I know are cool with it, they say they,ll only stone me to death if I turn up at a meet in a porsche [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bash.gif[/img], or a beemer [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img], jesus if I ever get that sad, I,ll stone myself [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] (no offence to beemer drivers intended [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/1poke.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]). Do you own a gt as well as the elise, quite interested to know how they compare?????????????? on handling etc.

Happy New Year to you [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img], I intend to get seriously smashed tonight [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img]

Lisa

[Ross Nicol]

Hi Dave
Welcome to the site. I have lurked here for a while and have the Europa/4AGe 20 valve project too.I've seen you on Yahoo and I think we may have spoken via email. My 40 started as an RF supplied roller but I've built and changed so many things now I call it self built.For example all the wiring is my design, I fitted a ZF trans, all suspension is now spherical bearing and rose jointed, the gearshift is my design etc etc.I have been circuit racing the car now for 2 and a 1/2 years and have a third place podium finish in the bag plus fifth and ninth place in the championship. It's getting faster and the Porsche GT3 drivers are taking notice. Let me know if I can help with any of your pre purchase desicions.
Regards Ross

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Lisa...
purely sexist...BOOTYLISCIOUS!!!! Perhaps you have a larger picure?

I have a good buddy who worships at the "church of Lotus" as a dealer once accused him of...almost bought the last Europa he had, MK I, Renault power and all...always liked 'em. Having been PERSONALLY chastised by Chunky Chapman hisself for sitting on the front tire of Fittipaldi's F1 car on the grid at Watkins ("what the bloody 'ell are YOU doing") I have a great respect for the Lotus life and product. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Cool cars and mostly cool people....
Rick [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

[lisalotus]

You,re not wrong, lotus guys, and gals are great fun to be around, have a great sense of humour, ( I guess you need a sense of humour to own a lotus [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bash.gif[/img]) and generally know how to have a good laugh, I,m getting the feeling the gt crowd are pretty similar.
Shame most of you are in the states, bloody long way to go for a hoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, not that I,ve been doing much hooning over the christmas break, due to weather being wet and horrible, if we dont get some sun soon I,m going to have to seriously think of migrating to warmer climates [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img]

[mlevea]

I started my addiction with two Europa. One for the track and one for the street.

Then I got a craving for a big block and since mid-engined is THE ONLY proper configuration and Eric Broadley designed such a fabulous car the GT40 was the obvious choice for my next project.

I'm afraid the GT will never have the light steering the Lotii have but the superb balance is there. I still have the Europa and love that handling but the extreme acceleration of the big block simply can not be replaced.

Don't sell that Lotus. 2 bar on the blower will make you smile.

Mark

[TimOz40]

Ahh, Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img].
I've had (over the yeears ,
Twin Cam Escort
Lotus Elan 1968
2 clubmans ( non Louts)
Now, just bought a S1 Elise

Once the GT40 arrives (less than 2 months now) we will settle with the GT40 and Elise for awhile. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Dave Lindemann]

Ross - Yup, that was me that contacted you from the Europa list. Congratulations on the performance of your car (and driving) - it sounds like you have things well sorted. I'll definitely keep in touch (with the forum as well) as I get closer to my purchase decision. I'm not a wealthy person and have to work hard for what I have so I want to be sure to make a good decision.

Lisa - You're right about the Lotus crowd. In my experience they are a great group of people and from my Esprit and Europa experiences have always been willing to offer assistance and helpful advice (this forum appears similar). They also like to have FUN! I used to live in Seattle, WA (LOTS of rain) so I can relate to your frustration with the weather. Minnesota is not much better - we have to shovel the precipitation! Sorry for my ignorance but what is a "hoon"????

Mark Le Vea - I recognize your name from the Europa list as well. My S1 Esprit is non-turbo so, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately)it makes beautiful noises but is not too terribly fast. I really do wish I could keep it but if the GT40 is going to happen the Esprit will have to go. Have fun with your 40!

Hey Tim - Words from an experienced Lotus owner! I've definitely had my share of Lotus troubles in getting all of the bugs worked out of the Esprit. Luckily, the driving pleasure makes the headaches seem like simple bumps in the road. Have fun with the Elise - I have a number of friends with new (2005) Federal models who would love to get their hands on an S1 Elise. I'm jealous - a S1 Elise and an RF40!

Dave Lindemann

[Bill Hara]

Dave

For your info: To "Hoon" is to drive in a manner not condoned by the authorities, and have a hell of a lot of fun doing so! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif[/img]
You can't go wrong with almost anything that appears on this forum that is for sale. You can find a car that is complete, complete minus drivetrain, complete but in parts, just a collection of parts and even scratch built, all here on the forum.
Hope that you find your car soon, all the best.

Bill.

[Howard Jones]

Could any of you Lotus Guys and Gals direct me to a website that has a lot of information on the Lotus V8? You know pictures, exploded diagrams, performance parts, add-ons, etc.

[I LOVE GT40- Paolo]

One year ago I was too near in buying a lotus Elise mk1 (the nicest one at all for me of that Lotus).
I just was stopped by the ugly poorness of the car, and the lack of care in assemblying of the one I was looking for.
While testing it before buy I loose one light in the front, just for the wind [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img], and the car was honestly too expensive for the thing u were buying (mine was for 28.000 euros).
With a little more pain I will surely buy a geetee, surely much more special and nicer car at all.

I wouldnt be so sure in hate bmws and Porsches(as well as Ferrari).
The cars are simply incredible in the right hands and also old ones (M3 and 993) are simply fast as lightnings, honestly(but I love see Russ adventure in track killing Porsches...)

Sure,the driver skills matters a lot, but we cannot deny many of the german ones are great cars indeed(just too expensive, as all todays cars are..)

All this..without mentioning the Italian Myth of Ferrari.
I drove several, and until today they definitely rope and kill my heart (impossible for me to look at Jim J6 beasts....).
Last one was a F575 Cambiocorsa.....just drive one and AFTER tell me what the hell is that car,now going out of production


If I will found a nice elise for 13-15.000 euros I can think at it..but suspect that will just make longer my waiting for the gt40.

Paolo [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif[/img]

[lisalotus]

Hi Howard

You have mail