Robert Crooks

Tony, really sorry to hear about your engine problems. Sounds like it could have been worse! Does this leave you car-less for getting down South for the week? Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Dave and I are meeting up at his this morning and heading for the Tudor Rose at 12.00. Hope to see some others there. Paul, we could come across and see your car before going to the Tudor Rose, say about 11ish, if you are around? Steve, we could could also come and meet you before we head back to the Tudor Rose? Let us know if that works for either of you. Robert

Dave, looks like just me and you, although some others may turn up at the Tudor Rose. What do you want to do. I definitely want a trip out in the morning. We could just meet at the Tudor Rose at 12.00, or we could meet a bit earlier and have a run out somewhere. Not sure if Steve was still planning to join us? I will PM him.

My guess is there are quite a few Elige owners that aren't catered for by SELOC. It certainly wasn't a place I chose to hang out when an Elise owner. For me it was just somewhere I went for information. It would be great if you could create an Elise Forum that maintained the values of these Forums.

Tony suggest we leave mine at 7.30 latest. Paul could we stop by yours immediately after we leave St David's to see the beast, on the way to the Horsehoe Pass?

Daft question I expect, but does anybody know where I can get some of the gold roof trim. SJS doesn't have it and have suggested I would need to buy a mile of it to get it made by their silver trim supplier!!!!

Carl That's a shame. Hope you can get that manifold sorted soon so that you are able to get out with us for a full blown (excuse the pun) run. David has confirmed that the Club Lotus guys meet at the Tudor Rose between 12.00 and 13.00. So, subject to any alternative proposals, my proposal is now to do the run in reverse, ie: 08.00 South and North Manchester contingents meet at M56/M6 services 08.15 Leave M56/M6 services 09.00 Arrive at St David's Hotel 09.30 Leave St David's Hotel 10.30 Arrive at Ponderosa Cafe 11.30 Leave Ponderosa Cafe 12.15 Arrive at Tudor Rose, Neston 13.00ish Head for home. I would appreciate any thoughts on this, or alternative proposals. and confirmation of those definitely doing all or part of this run apart from David and I. Robert

OK, based on feedback to my PM, it looks like a North Wales run is generally favoured. We have a number of options. Those that wish to could start at the Tudor Rose at Two Mills near Neston. This is where the local Club Lotus group gather on the last Sunday in each month. This would be a slight detour for those in transit from the East, and would involve travel in the opposite direction to our final destination for those based around Hawarden. However, I understand from David that this group includes a number of Esprit owners who are not currently Forum members, and so apart from meeting other Lotus owners, could be good from a recruitment perspective. David, do you know what time they meet so that we can work out timings? Assuming that not all venture to the Tudor Rose, we could then meet the rest of the crew at St David's Hotel, Ewloe. After a short break there, we would then head for the Ponderosa cafe on the Horseshoe Pass via the A494, A541, B5429, A525 and A542 (or any alternative routes that the locals, ie Steve and Paul prefer). This is a hang out for bikers and sport car drivers and should provide a good opportunity for refreshments and chat. I believe this is around a 35 mile run from St David's. In principle, this might look like: 08.30 South and North Manchester contingents meet at M56/M6 services 09.00 Leave M56/M6 services 10.00 Arrive Tudor Rose 11.00 Leave Tudor Rose 11.30 Arrive St David's Hotel 11.45 Leave St David's Hotel 12.30 Arrive at Ponderosa Cafe 14.00 Head for home or futher afternoon run for those that want to Of course, if we all go to the Tudor Rose, we can miss the stop at St David's and either stay at the Tudor Rose longer, or find a longer route to the Ponderosa Cafe. I am conscious that, for some, this does not involve a lot of driving, and am very open to alternative proposals. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Robert

I got the instrument cluster refitted yesterday. I had to rub down and repaint the black rim round the instruments as this had rusted after standing damp for so long. Of course they are covered by the plastic panel fitted over the cluster. Still, at least I know they are right!

Lovely looking late V8. Anybody on here? Richard (Mancunian), think this might be your car. Have tried to PM you but getting a message your inbox is full.

Dave It would be great if you joined NWEG. I have sent you an invite. We have a run and meeting planned for 27/09. Hope you can join us. Robert

Andrew Welcome. I think the blue car looks very good. I would guess it's just the price which is putting people of. It's a little expensive for a privately sold G car even with the low mileage and apparent condition. But the market does undervalue these cars. I'm nearly 6'3" and could comfortably drive my Turbo Esprit. The pedal box is a little narrow, and there is no room to rest your left foot to the side of the clutch, but you get used to it very quickly. I never had a problem with the steering wheel and my knees, or headroom. Some taller people do and have removed the runners from the seats and bolted them direct to the floor to provide a bit more room. One of the advantages of the HC is that the back rest adjusts so you can get the seat back a little further if you need to. You need to sit in one to be sure, but hopefully you won't have a problem. Good luck.

Just bought a very cheap Westfield off fleabay to throw around the track. Its in great nick - just needed a good service and is ready to go - Oulton Park 30/09 here we come!

You certainly don't mess around Wayne. I hope you keep this momentum going, and keep posting very regularly with lots of photos. It will be fascinating to see this project evolve.

I agree Paul. I think they look good on a white car, particularly with the other modifications you are making. Looking forward to some full car pictures with the new wheels and tail lights fitted!

It hasn't been on the road for about 10 years, but the old gentleman I bought it from had been restoring it mechanically until he became too ill to complete it. The chassis had been stripped and painted, the engine, brakes and suspension rebuilt, and a new rack installed. So once the interior is complete and we have completed the install of the body on the chassis, and connected everything up, it should be relatively simple to get it back on the road. I hope so anyway. Robert

Is that from the Professionals? That is so cool. Haven't seen those pics before. Was never totally sold on the colour, but I am now.

Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement. The leather was covered in mold. It took weeks to clean it thoroughly, and then I had it reconnolised, which involves a number of processes, including recolouring. I haven't fitted rear lap belts at this stage, but I may do so as the car progresses further. It is relatively simple to remove the rear seats and side panels to do this. The dash wasn't as bad as expected, even putting it back, which I really feared. Putting it back and connecting everything up took less than an hour! I did replace the windscreen wiper motor, but the dash had to come out anyway to clean it properly. The paintwork isn't bad, but it had a pretty poor respray about 5 years ago which isn't even in the original Lotus copper. There are no apparent gel coat cracks, so it probably just needs flatting and painting. Will post some more pictures when I have finished the interior and fitted the refurbished Speedlines. Robert

Not Esprit related I know, but as some of you know, I have been spending some time restoring an Eclat Riviera over the last few months. I had always fancied a restoration project, and when a seriously mistreated but cheap Eclat was offered to me in May, I couldn't resist it. I have almost abandoned it several times, but I am now starting to refit the interior, and feeling reasonably proud of my progress. Once the interior is finished, the body requires some tidying up and then it has to come of the chassis to be refelted, and then refitted and everything reconnected. Some photos below show what I inherited, and the progress made.

That's a shame, but enjoy the flight. You would certainly be welcome at any or all of the EMEG, NMEG or NWEG meets.

Welcome Andrew. So pleased to see you here. You'll find no shortage of banter, and loads of support and help. Hope you and Mandy will also make it to the Frolic next month.

Adam I have just had a 1982 Lotus Eclat interior re-Connolised by some ex-Connolly guys. They confirmed exactly what you said. When originally cured, dyed etc, the leather would have had some colouration (dirt?) left in the grain so that this was visible through the finish. At the time, this was preferred to give the leather a more authentic appearance. Modern leather tends to look a bit less natural in my opinion, but that's the finish most people prefer these days. In the reconnolising process, the have managed to retain some of the grain colour so that the leather retains some appearance of age. Don't ask me how. The ex-Connolly guys who have now done two of my cars trade as Leathercare Rennovations here in the UK. They are very helpful, and I am sure would not mind you calling them to get some advice. I suggest you speak to Steve on +44 1925 851621. Feel free to mention my name. Robert

Just got two tickets to take my son to see his first game at Old Trafford on Saturday. It's his 6th Birthday.

I appreciate I have previously sent you a PM about this, but thought we should also post this as a topic. It would be great to get a good contingent of NWEGers down to Hethel for this. It promises to be an excellent weekend. David Walters and I are intending to travel down Saturday morning and back Sunday evening. Please list below if you will be going, whether with us or independently: 1 Robert Crooks 2 David Walters

Paul Wow. Can't wait to see them on the car. Robert

It was great to meet Paul and his family and Carl today. Shame you couldn't join us for the day Carl, but I really appreciate you making the effort to come and see us first thing this morning. I hope we can get a larger group together on 27/09. It was also great to meet up with Graham and Alex from NMEG and Mark from EMEG at the Rudyard Hotel. Tatton was good on a warm but cloudy day. Here are a few pics. The last 2 are of the us leaving the Rudyard Hotel after lunch. The Noble belongs to Graham Crook. Robert