Robert Crooks

My Evora LE

I will be there for the Saturday night and Sunday, but won't get there till Sat evening. 1&2 - Bibs & Laura - Camping. 3 - Jonathan - Camping. 4 - Andyclements - local 5 - Dave Ward - local 6 - Newts (+1 ?) - local 7 - Backmarker - Hotel 8 - Kimbers - local 9&10 - Mark & Jane (definitely not local) 11&12 Dave & Megan 13 - Dave & Son 14&15 - Paul & Sarah 16 - Robert - Camping

Happy Birthday mate. Sorry to hear about the burst pipe. Robert

How soon do they need it? My S3 FHC is about a month away from completion.

Hopo I am planning to do the same, although I will be supporting the premier team in Manchester. Happy to share the experience and some friendly banter. Robert

I was thinking of leaving about 7.30 to get there between 9.30 and 10.00. Does this work for you?

Is anybody from the North West going down to Malvern this weekend? I am planning to travel down early Saturday morning, stay overnight and then travel back early Sun. If anybody else is going down and wants to to hook up on either leg to travel together, let me know. Robert

Tony Not going to be able to make it tomorrow. Think we'll have to leave it til Malvern in 3 weeks. Robert

Tony Is your V8 fixed? When are you thinking about going down to CN's. I could do something in the morning? Robert

I think it's stunning in a timeless way, like the Esprit. IMHO, it's a shape that will look good in 20 years, long after the current trends in design will look passé.

They aren't painted, therefore there isn't a paint code. There is a gold metal trim that is covered with a "plastic" coating. If you simply try to paint this I doubt you'll get a good finish or that it will be lasting. It is very difficult to replicate the original gold finish. However, when Surface & Design did my full respray, after lots of different attempts, they came up with a process to refinish the silver trims to a lasting gold colour. They look totally original. I would recommend that you talk to Andrew there on 01253 595800.

Mat what happened with the water pump? Robert

Craig Yes I got that response from SJS. So I bought silver and the guys at Surface & Design in Blackpool refinished it in gold when they did my respray. It looks perfect. If you speak to Andrew there, I am sure he will explain what they did. I am sure they could repeat the process for you. Robert

i would suggest on 21 March we hook up with the NMEGers again for the following trip. 21st March 2010 This month we're off to the seaside. Well the sun was shining today, so why not? The plan is to start off from the usual starting place at the Gingerbread Man Pub in Market Drayton at !0.30am ( meet at 10am) before making our way via Whitchurch and Chester to West Kirby. We should be there for noon, park up along the sea front and then wander into to town to grab a bag of chips ( or whatever takes your fancy ) All are welcome, whether you're from the North Midlands or not. I note SuperDaveLotus has already signed up for this. Any other NWEGers up for it? We will need to work out hook up places. 1 Robert Crooks

Anybody on here? Spotted on the M56 going westbound yesterday about 15.30.

For an April meet, I was going to suggest the Lotus show at Malvern on the weekend of 17/18 April. I am intending to travel down early on 17th, stay over and head back on the afternoon of the 18th. Anybody else planing to go on either day, or for the weekend? 1 Robert Crooks (17/18 April) For March, I suggest we have a run out somewhere local on Sunday 21 March. I can't do the 7th, and the 14th is Mother's day, so 21st looks like a better bet. Would welcome suggestions for a destination. Happy to head over towards north Wales or north of Manchester into Lancashire. I think the Lakes is probably a bit too far though for a Sunday trip. At some stage I'd like to do a trip down through Buxton to Asbourne for lunch. Please list if this date works for you and if you have any preferences for destination. 1 Robert Crooks Robert

No it isn't proportional to road speed. Yes, I think it must be a constant speed electrical motor. Just weird that it isnt there immediately on start up and initial drive, it cuts in after a few minutes and then stops when car is fully warm.

I have a tapping noise. It isn't there on cold start, but arrives a minute of two after starting. It then disappears when the engine is at full temperature. It's there on acceleration, but disappears on a trailing throttle. It is at a constant speed, ie it doesn't increase as engine revolutions increase. Any thoughts?

Bibs, it does generally, but the Eclat was always just a project to practice on. I've taken it as far as I want to. It has the potential to be a beautiful car, just not for me. Some recent pics.

Lol. But it would be kind of cool.

There was no section in the "For sale" section for this, so I have posted here for now. I have decided to part with my 82 Eclat Riviera. I was effectively given it as a restoration project by the elderly PO. The body had been off the chassis for about 10 years, and the interior was damp and covered with mould. This has now been cleaned and reconnolised. The brakes, suspension and steering have all been refurbished, and the top end of the engine was rebuilt by the PO. It is a replacement engine, but I also have the original. The body is now back on the chassis, and everything connected up. It passed it's MOT 10 days ago, and it drives very nicely indeed.It was an original copperfire car (identical car to that driven by Lewis Collins in Who dares Wins), but the PO had it repainted in a non-Lotus original copper colour. It's not a great paint job - quite a bit of orange peeling, and some of the "edges" are not very good. From a distance is looks good, but could do with a repaint. There is absolutely no star cracking anywhere.I am posting here to gauge any interest before putting on eBay/PistonheadsReply or PM me if you are interested. I can post or send photos if anybody is.Robert

Likewise, we already have 3-4 inches and still snowing heavily. Glad I got the Esprit out for a quick spin yesterday!

I would say, as a car to drive for pleasure rather than outright performance, my S2 beats my former TE and SE, and my current V8. It drives so well and feels so right. You can feel the relative lightness in the steering and handling. When I drove it back from the NEC in November at night up the A roads through Ashbourne and Buxton, I just couldn't stop grinning. Best 2 hours I've ever spent in a car. I would really encourage you not to break it. There must be a buyer for such a project if you don't feel able to complete it yourself. I'm almost tempted.

Thanks for all your best wishes. I've had a super day.

Maybe. Watch this space