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May I inquire to which Universities you are proposing to visit ? knowing the geographic locations of them would lead to a better knowledge of choice for airport destination. as Sparky said Boston can be a nitemare. Especially since Logan International is on the east of Boston and there is no easy drive out except through or around Boston. Whereas Baltimore Washington International is on the lower outskirts. As long as you are not on the interstates at rush hour travel should be fairly smooth. Yes, traffic circles are a nitemare here. Because no one has had proper training on how to use them and they are generally very tight circles not lending to a lot of manoeuvring room. Many work zones and anywhere within a mile of a school can have speed cameras in use. Whether they are portable or permanent. Generally there is about an average of a 12mph slush built in by law. However red light cameras are not forgiving and they have shortened the yellow caution light timing in most cases. And we do not get the yellow caution prior to light tuning green like you do in the UK. As for the buses. Only thing is a yellow school bus with flashing red lights cannot be passed in either direction unless there is a barrier or verge between the lanes. Also remember that there is overtaking in any lane any side. Although Sparky feels like some of our personal vehicles are big over here they really are not. Your roads and driveways are just smaller 🤣

Just another reason to love this group. It does not take too long for it to go off the rails 🤣🤣🤣 kimbers you were working on some of those days and my next trip will for sure catch up with you further up north.

Filip indeed you have joined that list. I am however curious to know of other forum members that have had friendships begun because of this particular site. I have many friendships in the United States because of TLF that are in a similar way.

…whether it is to be blamed upon age or just the opportunity for quiet reflective thought for that I do not know nor never will…which one anyone so chooses is upon themselves… …as I find myself sitting at Heathrow looking out at the gloomy rain from the lounge reflecting upon my past several days. I reached the conclusion that friendships are funny… …we never know truly know with whom…when…why…or how friendships truly come to fruition… …I often wonder whether Bibs truly knew the number of lives he would intertwine in long lasting friendships even when the cars have long moved on in some cases… …to those friends old and new I want to say thank you for all these last several days as I also reflect upon those friends that have passed… …TLF is more than automobiles….

Booking my flight and hire car this evening. Then working on setting up hotel accommodations and visits. So please put me in the #18 spot Be great to see everyone !!!!

I have many fond memories from the past 6 years as a member of TLF...I have met many people from around the globe and with my business ( yes I still insist I am a poolboy ! ) I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting many people of TLF in person. Many of the people I had met I still consider friends. I must say that without TLF a more difficult time would have been had figuring out all of the nuances of my Lotus Esprit S4. Time spent with Bibs and the gang at Dave Freemans replacing an engine was one of the most memorable and fun times I have had ever working on a car. And I did plenty to my own over the years. Unfortunately the dealership issues with my car took away much of the joy of my Lotus Esprit. It is pretty much all back to its original state after 5 long years of battling the Lotus dealership and the insurance company. However in discussion with SharkSandwich ( Art ) he made a comment to me a few months ago, " that if I did not smile when I opened up the garage door it was time to let her go. " So with that, yesterday I passed the car along to its new owner who left my driveway in Connecticut with a smile. Thank you for many wonderful years here. I will always think of a certain group whenever I have an evaporative pint !! Best of luck to all and safe motoring ! Christopher " International Poolboy "

Michael, One beautiful thing is, believe it or not, I can actually open the rear hatch without a need to remove either the rack or the bike. The vacuum cups are from a company called SeaSucker. www.seasucker.com They have the ability to be adapted quite easily to any other type of rack. And I then used Thule 599XTR Big Mouth bike carrier. SeaSucker makes a variety of their own bike racks however they all require removal of the front wheel and with hydraulic disc brakes I find it easier and safer for transport not to remove the front wheel.

Ian how are you ? They are actually vacuum cups which are not to be confused with suction cups. Each vacuum cup is rated at 210lbs of holding force. And yes tested on quite some twisty roads at high speeds. And bumpy roads as well. If I recall the original Esprit luggage rack utilized vacuum cups as well. At least an early generation version. The vacuum cups have been tried and tested for the marine industry for quite sometime. I actually use them on my boat for a variety of uses and also use them in my work on the SwimEx's. I figured if a 300lb NFL linebacker can pull on a stabilization bar in the midst of a laminar flow of 6knots it would hold my 32lbs of mountain bike and Thule tray. SeaSucker began developing bike racks for the last several years. Slowly gaining hold ( excuse the pun ) as most of their users tend to carry over from the marine industry. Which they also work underwater as well. The only thing I noticed was the mountain bike would sway a bit. However that is actually an issue with the Thule tray itself. And I think the answer is to redesign a better mounting plate for the upright carrier. Having the glass roof I will be able to see if I ever lose the rack and bike lol Christopher

Also important to remember that stainless steel hardware is not as strong

Simon, Yes lockouts on both front and rear. Hydraulic disc brakes are a blessing. Have yet to experience any brake fade and no cable stretch. 27 speeds though I am actually investigating into a 14 speed hub gear It is taking a bit getting use to the 29" wheels. They look out of place at times. Stared at 26" wheels for almost 20 years Comically enough the bike is taller than the Esprit.

Thanks Jason. Generally down at the beaches when in DE. Will have to look up that one. Hope all is well and next we meet in Macungie PA I will surely send a PM to yourself

Ah but even those of us that have talent in the garage must by all means have it in the kitchen. Funny about this thread. Was in the midst of making a chipotle garlic shrimp during a conversation with Art aka Shark Sandwich and I think he thought I never cooked. Actually most of my friends think I never cook. Which is true. Never home enough. However when I am I do cook.

Ah the infamous light switches... The way that the Federal cars are wired sounds the same. I have the early wiring harness in mine. I have not had a switch last more than 3hrs of continuous use while driving. Whether it be the parking lights ( side lights ) or the headlamps. Part of the issue is the way that they are wired and that the power from the headlamp switch also goes through the parking light switch. As does the power signal to the relay for the headlamp lift motors. Hard to explain in writing however as you can see from the photographs the switches can get quite hot and then internally one of the post will shift. Sounds as if this has happened and it is signaling for the headlamp lift motors to activate. The result of over heating causes the internal connector to shift in its location. In my case it causes all lights except dip beam to go out. So at night no dash, parking, or rear tail lights whatsoever. So the internal appears this way: Side note: my solution was to finally direct the aircon flow from left aircon vent on dash to flow over the switches to keep them cool. Figured that was more important than my hand freezing on the wheel

Well they looked worn before I received them. Yet the customs seal was not broken....hmmmmmm

Kimbers my father always said, " buy the best you can afford ". He also said, " never step on a pregnant alligator ". Both pieces of wisdom have served me well in life. I do not go thrashing down a 12,000ft mountain like a friend of mine does in the Rockies. However I do a lot of woods and urban streets. Full frame suspension seems to work well in both environments. Another look at my rack for the Esprit