Random car and/or Lotus related pictures and videos

[Bibs]

 

[ChrisJ]

empty motorways, no speed cameras and traffic police.

 

[Escape]

Out with the old:

and in with the new (which ironically is even older):

The Bagheera did just fine on her goodbye drive and went up the trailer without drama. The M530 was in better shape than I feared. The owner had already freed the brakes, so no fight to get her on the trailer. The engine is turning freely on the starter and we have spark from the coil. She didn't quite fire yet, looks like the distributor cap needs replacing. New one is on order for pick-up tomorrow. Parts should be much easier to source for the Ford 1.7 V4 compared to the Simca 1.3. The 530 also offers considerably more room to work, not too mention sha has a lot less rust. The clutch isn't working, hopefully that's just a hydraulic problem and not the disc stuck on the flywheel as on the Bagheera. But even if that is the case, taking the gearbox off should be a lot less hassle. Feeling optimistic! 😎

To top things of, I've been offered one of the road-ready Djets to borrow for a weekend. 🙂

Filip

PS: Somehow I've managed to take 2 pictures at the Workshop without including any of the 5 resident Lotus. I'll do better next time!

[Arregueti]

Oh, so you moved the Bagheera on, already. I thought you still had work to do on it. Will it stay in Belgium or is it heading back to France?

[Escape]

The Bagheera was in the Workshop for the best part of 6 months, much longer than planned. The idea was that I would get her running and driving and then sell on. The engine was easy enough, but crusty brake lines, stuck calipers and a seriously stuck clutch and suspension meant things dragged on. After her long awaited first drive (in decades probably) last week, I just needed to tweak the brakes a bit more to make sure she could be safely loaded and unloaded on the trailer and do a test drive. Today I took her back to the owners. They will tidy her up a bit more and try and find a buyer. I must admit I was very glad to see her leave, though I'll happily help out if some other technical issue should pop up. We will advertise in France as well as there is a lot more love for Matra over there. Hopefully we will find an enthusiast who is willing to invest the time necessary to take on the rust. The engine is lively enough and the drive comfortable and sprightly. Good fun, but no Lotus. 😉 

The M530 has come back with me under the same conditions. A lot less rust, due to better treatment. On the Bagheera they had first applied a sort of yellow Hammerite to the underside and when that started to go it was covered with a thick black paint, but without addressing the rust first, so it was flaking off in layers.
Working on the Ford V4 in the M530 also rekindled my interest in the TVR, with the  V6 of the same engine, that is looking sad under the carport.

But tomorrow evening priority will be to get a Range Rover Classic started that is undergoing a full restoration. I've rebuilt the engine and refitted it, some missing wiring kept us from starting last week, but that has been sorted in between Matras. Once running and driving that too can go on. The owner will do the interior himself. A first start is always a bit of an occasion, I count on my young assistant for good luck. 🙂 Then maybe we'll have time for the M530 as well.

[Arregueti]

Wow. From strength to strength. 
You will soon need a work planner for your workshop. 😁 From previous posts I thought the Bagheera was yours as an in-kind recognition for your assistance when freeing that warehouse/garage. That says even more about you, if you spent all that time on someone else’s car. Thanks for your thoughts on the car’s abilities, too.

[Escape]

I sure could do with a work planner! Too many projects going on at the same time, which means some stay in a corner for way too long. Like my poor Esprit and the Range Rover... That's one of the advantages of having some help as well. When she comes over, I'm forced to have a good think about what to do, so as to make the most of the help available.

I briefly entertained the idea of keeping the Bagheera, but soon decided against it. When she gets sold, I will receive part of the profit though. Probably not enough to really cover all the hours it took, but should get a good bit more than the cost of the parts I invested. I'm warming up to the M530, though it's unlikely I'll keep it. Not as long as I have the Jag for open top motoring.

The invitation to come and visit the Workshop still stands of course!

Filip

[Gjk]

You certainly get some very interesting vehicles pass through your workshop Filip. I do enjoy reading your posts. Keep up the good work 👍

[Arregueti]

9 hours ago, Escape said:

The invitation to come and visit the Workshop still stands of course!

That is very kind. I may well abuse your hospitality. I would love to learn to do some basic mechanic stuff in an older car and, as stated above, yours post are inspiring to get into those dark arts. I did try to do some basic mechanical training in Luxembourg but did not find anything.

I did consider the Matra, further to our exchange of posts, but I would not have any where to store it, and these days it would not see much use with me, being realistic. Maybe, if you struggle to sell it, we can discuss next year, in time for my 50th birthday.  😉

[Escape]

You wouldn't be the first 'apprentice' in the Shop to get hooked for life. 😉 It's not dark arts, it only takes some basic understanding, a good dose of enthusiasm and just giving it a go, step by step.

Last evening I was challenged by my young helper to push on and we did get the M530 running. I still need to clean/ rebuild the fuel pump, but as long as there is fuel in the bowl, the engine purrs. Turned out what she really needed was a good rub on her points. 😛 (the car, not the helper, must not go there!). And the more I look at it, the more impressed I am. A mechanical system for the pop up headlights, activated by a 4th pedal! Adjustable front suspension, coilovers and discs all round, a 2-part bellhousing for easy access to the clutch. If the brakes don't put up too much of a fight, she should be out for a drive real soon!

[C8RKH]

Hey @Arregueti and @Escape, if there is any "free" mechanical training going on then I'm in. I'm very happy to get down and dirty, all greased up. I'll be like a Duracell bunny on speed and even make copious quantities of coffee and bring the good chocolate biscuits with me!

I'd love to be able to get the confidence to do my own mechanical and spannering work. I'll even bring my own tools:

 

[Escape]

You'll have to try harder @C8RKH. I never drink coffee and importing chocolate into Belgium might be frowned upon. 😁

But there is another beverage Scotland is known for and I very much appreciate. 😄 

Of course you'd be more than welcome! I'm giving a 4x4 Workshop for a local classic car club this Sunday. Would be epic to do similar for an international Lotus crowd!

[C8RKH]

Now that sounds like a fine idea!  I have a couple of bottles of the scotch delight I could fit in my holdall.....

If you don't drink coffee how do you stay awake?  I usually start the day with a big pot of tea, then it's the equivalent of 6-8 espressos' before lunch!

[Arregueti]

I thought Andy and me were over stretching your kindness but a TLF day in Leuven sounds good to me! I just need to find a suitable car to join the party now. I don’t think Luxembourg’s beer can compete with yours either. 😀

[Escape]

If there is genuine interest and we can find a date that suits most, I'd be more than happy to organise something. I'm sure the local pub would gladly host our group and I can even throw in a scenic run from the Workshop to the pub for those who want a drive. Including a stop at a local brewery. 🙂 

[Sparky]

I'm in.  It'd be a right laff.  And about time I turned up at yours, Filip.

[Escape]

I was waiting for you to pipe in mate! 👍

Exotics International is eager to welcome you. 😄

[Chillidoggy]

7 hours ago, C8RKH said:

Hey @Arregueti and @Escape, if there is any "free" mechanical training going on then I'm in. I'm very happy to get down and dirty, all greased up. I'll be like a Duracell bunny on speed and even make copious quantities of coffee and bring the good chocolate biscuits with me!

I'd love to be able to get the confidence to do my own mechanical and spannering work. I'll even bring my own tools:

 

You’ll be about as much use as Helmut Marko.

[Escape]

You're probably right Ian. You'd better tag along as well just to keep him out of trouble.

[Chillidoggy]

43 minutes ago, Escape said:

You're probably right Ian. You'd better tag along as well just to keep him out of trouble.

 

I'm not sure my liver will hold up if me an 'im get together.

[Sparky]

I survived, twice.  He ain't all that.

[C8RKH]

23 hours ago, Chillidoggy said:

You’ll be about as much use as Helmut Marko.

So, I'll be of some use then?

I make a mean pot of tea, and am good with a brush at sweeping the mess up (usually because, I created the mess in the first place, granted).

22 hours ago, Chillidoggy said:

 

I'm not sure my liver will hold up if me an 'im get together.

10 months sober so far this year! I'm going to be a cheap date at the works xmas do!

[Sparky]

I'm not getting into a vehicle with you if you're sober.

[Chillidoggy]

 It can't be him, I reckon his account has been hacked.

[Escape]

13 hours ago, C8RKH said:

10 months sober so far this year! I'm going to be a cheap date at the works xmas do!

Are you saying all your posts the past year were written while sober? 😲

😉