Robert Crooks

Graham, Alex and Tony It was great to see you today. We shall definitely have to do that road back from Buxton to Bosley later in the year when it is dry! Awesome. We were also joined by my coleague, Gary, in his lovely white Exige - a future TLF member I hope. Another colleague, Graham, joined use for lunch in his Westfield. See a few photos below. Shame we couldn't hang around long enough to meet up with Gareth from CLOG, but we should try to do that on another Sunday. I am going to post up some proposed dates for meetings for the next few months shortly. Robert

Alex We are meeting at the Swettenham Arms, Swettenham at 11.00. Very glad you are going to make it mate. Robert

Certainly Tony. I'll work out a set off time and come and pick you up. Text you tomorrow. A friend of mine is probably going to meet us at the the Swettenham Arms in his Westfield, and possibly also one in an Exige.

That sounds right. That'll give us an hour for lunch. If the roads are icy, we can go directly south towards Leek rather than head for the higher ground Buxton way.

I was thinking of a circuit from Swettenham to Buxton to Leek to Swettenham which would take about 1.5 hours. It would be lovely to take in Ashbourne, and stop there for a coffee, but that's more like 2 to 2.5 hours. But very open to alternative suggestions. I guess the weather may also be a factor.

Gareth from CLOG tells me they get there between 13.30 and 14.00 and have a few drinks and chat. Do you guys (and any others from TLF who want to join us) want to meet a bit earlier and have some lunch there? We could even meet mid-morning and have a run out into the peaks before lunch. Open to suggestions. Robert

That's terrible new Dave. My condolences to you and your family.

David I think you sent me an email earlier, but believe I accidentally deleted it. If you can resend it, I will happily answer your questions. I apparently can't send you a message through the Forum. Robert

My 82 Eclat Riviera passed its MOT for the first time in 12 years. It's amazing to think that, once taxed, I will be driving it this weekend!

There are two nice Lotus pieces in the latest issue of Octane. Jay Leno's article is about the 60s/70s Lotus Elan and Lotus more generally and is written in glowing terms. There is also a feature on the 25 greatest automotive competitive rivalries. At number 2 is Colin Chapman vs The World, a tribute to Chapman's genius and pioneering spirit. Both good reads imho.

How are you doing Richard? Can you join us at the Settenham Arms on 07/02? Robert

Thanks for all your comments. I think it looks lovely in green, but I am also concerned about visibility. Many with green ones have found they have had to add a yellow stripe to make them visible, and I don't want to have to do that. I am trying to find out the original colour. At some stage it has also been lime green, but we can't tell yet whether that was a previous repaint or the original colour. It wasn't a standard original colour in 1966, but I understand it would have been possible to have it as a special option. I think it's more likely that somebody has done a lime over white 'sprint' respray in its past. However, lime green is definitely not a colour for me as a repaint colour. Assuming the original colour wasn't lime green, burnt sand, carnival red or wedgewood blue, I might just be tempted to go back to it. I'm kinda hoping it was white though based on the photo above. I too think it's stunning. Further comments very welcome. Alex, any time mate. Are you going to be able to join us for the NMEG/NWEG meet on 07/02? Robert

I am trying to decide what colour to repaint my 1966 Elan S3 FHC restoration project. It is currently in non-original pale blue (see first photo below). However, I want it to be in an original colour for the year. I am led to believe the choice is BRG, Cirrus White, French Blue, Wedgewood Blue, Carnival Red, Burnt Sand or Lotus Yellow. I have included photos of cars (not all Elans) in these colours also. I am tending towards white but I would really appreciate your thoughts on this as I am far from decided. Look forward to your comments.

It will be great to see all you NMEGers. Added to the calendar.

Guys We seem to be struggling to get any real critical mass to NW England meets. So on the basis that we are now TLF rather than LEF, I had been thinking it might be good to hook up with one of the other regional Lotus groups. Coincidentally, Gareth (theelanman), who coordinates the Cheshire Lotus Owners Group, got in touch a few days ago to say hi and invite me to one of their meets. So I propose that we meet up with them on Sunday 7 February at the Swettenham Arms, Swettenham, near Holmes Chapel. They regularly meet there on the first Sunday in the month. For those of in the North of the region, we could perhaps meet somewhere and travel there as a group. It's certainly a very nice run down to Holmes Chapel from the Stockport area where I am based. Can NWEGers indicate their interest in attending this meet in the usual way. Thanks and hope to see as many of you as possible on 07/02: 1. Robert

1. Laura (Saturday night dinner required) 2. Bibs (Saturday night dinner required) 3. Paul - Rocket63 ( Saturday night dinner required) 4. Sarah (Saturday night dinner required) 5. Yasuo (Friday & saturday night dinner required) 6. Martyn (Saturday night dinner required 7. Robert Crooks (Sat night dinner req)

Roddy I agree, that is a stunning Eclat Riviera. I have one in copperfire ala "Who dares wins" that we started for the first time in 10 years this week after a mechanical and interior restoration. Should be MOT'd next week. However, the PO gave it a poor respray. It needs a proper respray to complete the project, but I'm not sure I'm prepared to spend the money on it. I bought it as a project and I think I may perhaps have taken it as far as I want to. Your pictures, showing how good they can look, has certainly made me think though. Robert

Matt I use the Auto Glym Fast Glass spray (not cream), which I think is awesome. Robert

What has most surprised me is how cheap it is to buy parts for it compared to an Esprit. I suppose they have been classics for longer and there is possibly a more established non-original spares market, but I just bought a whole new replacement centre console for

Thanks mate. Just before Christmas. It's another car I got offered through my mechanic at a good price that I coudn't resist. Here she is immediately after collection. Has been mechanically restored, including a QED engine rebuild, but need a new interior and paint.

We'll be starting the engine on the Eclat next week once the new starter and fuel pump lands. It's then off for its first MOT in over 10 years. Still needs paint, but that will have to wait until later in the year. Just about to start on the interior of a 66 S3 Elan FHC. Can post some picture of my new project if anybody interested.

We had about 12 inches yesterday, but only a light further dusting today. Took me 3 hours this morning to clear the drive sufficient to get the cars out. That's the third time since just before Christmas that I've had to dig them out!

What with the weather and lots of family stuff, have ended up with little opportunity to do anything over the Christmas period, and the forecast is not that great over the next few days. However, weather permitting, does anybody fancy a trip out on Sunday 3 January? If the weather is poor, we could meet somewhere for lunch, possibly around Knutsford way. If the weather is good, we could have a run out either before or after lunch. Thoughts?

Thanks Secret Santa for my Esprit wallet, key fob and S1 model. Very cool.