Voodoo Blue 350

[JimmyB]

Hi folks. Introducing myself as I have just paid a deposit on a 350. Hopefully collecting in the coming weeks. 
 

It’s Voodoo Blue, which I believe is a Porsche colour. Not sure if there are other 350’s out there in the same colour? It also have a lovely spec…

Alcantara, Cruise, A/C, carpets, blue colour pack, stereo amp, carbon sills, carbon access panel, carbon seats, aim dash, ORE cup holder, plus Alias sills and induction kit still in their boxes. 

Very excited to be back in a Lotus! 

[Bibs]

Very nice, that's a great looking car and very well specced too

 

[Paul_D]

Congratulations.

Lovely car - colour and spec are great.

[Toqcars]

Nice spec 👍 Please make sure to post the update when the sills and induction kit is mounted 😉

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

That's Steve's car, in Daytona blue 👍 Was a lovely example the last time I saw it on the IoW. 

[JimmyB]

Yes it is! And you’re right, it is Daytona. I spoke with the original owner and he confirmed that. Not sure why Lotus Silverstone listed it as Voodoo when they sold it in 2020!

 

Fantastic pics. I don’t suppose you have any more?

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

I didn't take them, a friend did. If you have Facebook or Instagram, Rob Schaverien took them. He'd be more than happy to send them over👍

[JimmyB]

So after almost a 2 month wait I was finally able to collect my 350, on a perfect Spring too too. 
 

It was an easy 550 mile cruise back to the Scottish Highlands (averaged a calculated 33mpg if anyone is interested!). 

I am delighted with it. It is Daytona Blue, Lotus Silverstone strangely listed it as Voodoo Blue which it is not. It looks even better in the metal and gets compliments from everyone. 
 

It’s raw, fast, and even better than I was expected. There’s nothing quite like it. I also can’t believe how small it looks next to my 240! 
 

Plans are to gradually work my way round it getting it properly detailed. I have already fitted a genuine carbon handbrake handle and a black fuel surround. An engine plate from Alias is on the way. I’ll also need to sort out the front plate as it’s huge, ugly and only partly attached. 
 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by JimmyB

[Rambo]

Very nice 👍

When it comes to service time, who are you going to use way up in Highlands?

[JimmyB]

1 minute ago, Rambo said:

Very nice 👍

When it comes to service time, who are you going to use way up in Highlands?

Good question. I’m not aware of anyone up here who would be up for the job, so likely a trip down to Craig in Edinburgh. 

[JimmyB]

18 hours ago, Rambo said:

Very nice 👍

When it comes to service time, who are you going to use way up in Highlands?

Just been speaking to a chap up here with a 410. He has recommended Blitz Motorsport in Nairn. 

On another note… normal weather resumes.

 

 

[KennyN]

1 hour ago, JimmyB said:

On another note… normal weather resumes.

No rush to try out the soft top

[JimmyB]

11 minutes ago, KennyN said:

No rush to try out the soft top

No, but thank you! I can’t wait to get it on when it’s a *little* warmer…!

[JimmyB]

 

Could be a longer wait than I’d hoped 😅

[JimmyB]

Some small visual improvements today. Firstly an engine plate from Alias to replace the faded plastic part. Then I replaced the 4 rusted bolts under the access panel with stainless versions. I could see the bolts through the mesh so it was bothering me. 
 

I’m now mid way through a machine polish to get the paint up to standard, and will follow up with a nice later or two of wax when I’m done. 

[JamieF]

5 minutes ago, JimmyB said:

Some small visual improvements today. Firstly an engine plate from Alias to replace the faded plastic part. Then I replaced the 4 rusted bolts under the access panel with stainless versions. I could see the bolts through the mesh so it was bothering me. 
 

I’m now mid way through a machine polish to get the paint up to standard, and will follow up with a nice later or two of wax when I’m done. 

I’ve just ordered those exact same bolts as one has started to rust too!!

[JimmyB]

1 minute ago, JamieF said:

I’ve just ordered those exact same bolts as one has started to rust too!!

Haha! I could have sent you some as I got a pack of 10 😆

[JamieF]

24 minutes ago, JimmyB said:

Haha! I could have sent you some as I got a pack of 10 😆

I’m replacing a few, I’m putting black ones in the spoiler side plates instead of the silver ones that are on it currently. Thanks though! 

[JimmyB]

Continuing with the machine polishing this morning. I’m by no means a pro but I’m happy with how it’s looking. Just the doors left to go. 

I also rolled it out to fit the soft top whilst the weather was good. 

[JimmyB]

Not the most interesting of updates but the latter part might be of use to someone at some point. 
 

first, I fitted a private plate. I’ve always like short plates on cars and the standard plate looked enormous hanging to the front of the car. 
 

Next up, the latch on the boot wasn’t catching properly and was requiring too much of a shove to close it. I tried some adjustment to find it was struggling to open. Then the handle in the cabin gave way…

From what I have read online there are a few different variants of the handle. In my 2018 it is on the passenger side, which I believe was moved to the drivers side on later cars. I have the ‘upgraded’ lever with a metal plate that reinforced the bit where the wire sits. From looking at the lever is it seems the wire pulled out the side and has snapped off part of the plastic.   

The lever is a part from an old Jag - the bonnet release. Part number hnc2560ad.  I have ordered a replacement but as you can see there are actually two grooves with only one being used in its application here. I was wary about trying this side whilst the boot was still stiff, so I used pliers to pull the cable in the cabin and make adjustments. In terms of adjustments to the latch this is what I learnt… loosen off the large brass nut at the top of the pin. I actually used a plumbing spanner for this as it was over the 20mm range of my regular spanners. Once loose you can turn the pin with a flat head screwdriver at on the end of the pin. I found my pin needed to be moved out so that it was longer and therefore caught easier, so one turn anti clockwise did the job and make the cable far easier to pull. Also, the pin must be orientated correctly with the flat sides facing directly to the front and rear of the car. 

I then reinstalled the lever (just 2 bolts) with the wire in the second slot. Although the wire is now sitting at a bit of an angle it’s working perfectly. I have the replacement on its way so will just keep it as a spare incase I need it. 
 

 

Edited April 18, 2022 by JimmyB
Adding lever part number