Got my son a Lotus for christmas

[Matt-watts]

I brought my 11 year old son Jake a Lotus Excel for christmas.

 

He had spent so long helping me with my cars in the garage over the last 5 years, going to every Lotus show and has been on about how great it would be to own an Excel.

 

I thought I would post up his reaction (total surprise) on Chrismas morning when he got his fist Lotus !

 

 

 

Matt

Edited January 6, 2013 by Matt-watts

[vintaylor]

That's an awesome gift! Wish my dad bought me a lotus when I was 11

[andydclements]

Now that's a great Christmas present. You have to get the car to the same standard as the Esprit you've done.

[Moxie]

Matt,

When I'm done editing the Esprit S1 documentary, I'll set aside the footage I have of Colin Spooner going on at length about how the Excel was his favorite Lotus. He was really passionate about it. Anyway, might be something cool to go with the car.

- Matt

[gghc87]

What a billiant gift Matt, look forward to reading about the restoration

[Iconic Ride]

And will we be seeing young Jake's commentary  in the "Introductions" thread soon?

 

That is one happy camper, Matt.

[Bee]

You are 'officially' the best dad ever! 

[Bibs]

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

Amazing! 

[04ESPRIT]

Fantastic!

I was expecting some picture of a Hot Wheels 1:10000 scale model as something of a joke.

Great stuff, and I'm looking forward to seeing the progression towards raodworthy!

Derik

[GavinT]

Well, you can't beat that.  Lovely to see, thanks for sharing Matt.

[73JPS]

Very nice!

[ramjet]

Awesome!

 

Kudos.

[obione]

What a brilliant present and surprise

[Kimbers]

I want you as my dad! What a great gift and it'll keep giving as he works on it in anticipation of driving it!

 

Nice one Matt!

[TBD]

I want you as my dad! What a great gift and it'll keep giving as he works on it in anticipation of driving it!

 

Nice one Matt!

Of all the Lotus-Fans who could be asking for a new dad!

[chandrew]

WHAT A DAD (I won't be showing my son this thread).

[Simon350S]

That's awesome...!

[Mr_John111]

I too think its awesome and a cool present and wish that all those years ago my parents had bought me a lotus for Xmas!

But....

I also think without intending to be it is a very cruel thing to do. The poor lad will spend the next 5-6 years restoring it and then either have to sell it or sit on it unused in the garage for another 5-10 years.

My son is currently driving his first car a 1.1 Peugeot worth about £500 and his insurance is over £2000. That's when he is a learner. If he passed his test tomorrow his insurance would jump up to £4800. I'm sure if he approached any insurance company and said he wanted to insure a 2.2 lotus excel they would laugh at him or make the premium tens of £000s.

But if like me he gets most pleasure out of fixing cars rather than driving them, it's still a very generous and cool thing to do.

Well done Dad!

John

[Snoopy1969]

Hi Matt - well done - great surprise and awesome idea!

(also I recognize that your dog didn´t want the restauration to be complete before a drive out as she/he jumps on the passenger seat to get the party started! - of course it must be a british dog trained for RHD....)

 

[Bibs]

Fame!

 

http://es.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/el-impresionante-regalo-de-navidad-de-un-chaval-britanico/

[slewthy]

What a present.

 

But, you have set the bar high - imagine what he will get his kids when the time comes!!

[Günter]

and the next question is:

..will he get now parts to restore the thing ..every christmass & birthday ?

-or how is the way it goes within the next years, compared to this level of cristmass present

 

At least, it is good to spend his type of pocket-money on this, instead of fastfood

[Texas v8 Eclat]

Matt that's a great gift! Can you adopt me?

[NedaSay]

Ok this is the stuff little boys dreams are made off... I almost did choke.  And it looks like it could be on the road any day now! 

And the engine bay looked awesomely bonkers!!!!