Evora GTE Registry

[TheKevlarKid]

8 hours ago, bingoking said:

I believe that Rimstock are very protective of the paint codes for these wheels and won't give Lotus the codes. 

I don't think it's so much the code that is the problem, not with the silver wheels anyway. It's more to do with ratio of paint they use. The silver wheels are painted black first then the silver is applied afterwards. Depending on how much silver you put down will give different shading effects. 

I've tried to match a single wheel before and it's nigh on impossible to get right, you end up not enough silver or too much. I ended up doing two so the side of the car matched.

They do a re-furb service but ive never used it, don't think they do repairs though only re-painting.

[21gg]

Gav, they wouldnt give me the paint code for the wheels when I asked, they said to ask lotus, lotus mototrsport didnt know.

 

[TBD]

I imagine  Rimstock won't talk to end customers, but matching the paint is rarely an issue today. Good shops use a spectral analyzer to get the right color. 

But, as Gav said the rims are silver over black, a process called "platinizing". Its very difficult to get that trying to match a single wheel. 

[Bravo73]

1 hour ago, TheKevlarKid said:

They do a re-furb service but ive never used it, don't think they do repairs though only re-painting.

They do offer a refurb/restoration service: http://www.rimstock.co.uk/content/restoration

I've had an OEM Aston (manufactured by Rimstock) set refurbed in the past. They came back 'good as new'. 

[aerobat]

On 8/11/2016 at 10:56, aerobat said:

Yes, that is my car.   I ordered the carbon fibre body kit directly from Germany.   It's been quite the ordeal.  We have not been impressed with the process at all.    Some of the problems have had to do with the significant time differences between your side of the world and mine.   The other frustration has been the reluctant willingness to sell me parts, but a stubborn near-refusal to provide any assistance or information in the build.   But obviously body parts are available (or can be manufactured), and it is my wish that Thomas will have a rebuild in short order, and will still be able to enjoy #11 as it's meant to.

Just an update that progress is still occurring, but oh so slowly.   The ECU has been re-flashed with the Komo-Tec 460 HP upgrade, chargecooler installer, pipes run, and headers installed.  The front clam has been finished and primed, headlights and DRLs installed.   GTE wheels are being shipped.   The rear clam has been sent to a body shop for finishing.   The exposed carbon fibre bits will be gloss coated.  Final assembly and full body wrap are a way off still, but now seem to be in sight.

[aerobat]

Here is just one more example of what I've had to deal with since February.   I ordered a set of four new GTE wheels from Lotus.   This is what they shipped.

[Trevsked]

That's what's known as special delivery :-)

[Arregueti]

Consider yourself lucky. Only one in every thousand wheels is golden. I think it is an invitation to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

Hopefully humor helps.

[aerobat]

Thanks guys ..... it just boggles the mind .....

[TheKevlarKid]

Mrs Curtis, it's you husbands life or your case of Wonka bars!

[adfer]

I'm surprised they supplied you at all. 

What are real GTE owners going to do if all the unique parts have been sold off to people making GTE copies?

[Colin G]

This was something that worried me when I considered buying your old black GTE before going for the 400, if anything happened to it down the line, would it be repairable? I would imagine the parts stock is quite low as Lotus aren't even great at keeping stock for current cars, so if there are much more unfortunate incidents like TBD's car, how long will it last.

[TheKevlarKid]

That's what your insurance covers you for surely? If it can't be repaired because the parts aren't available anymore then it will get written off and you get paid out. I presume everyone is on an agreed value policy? 

I can't see it happening though to be fair. The only Lotus bespoke parts on the gte's are the wheels, the front wishbones, 2 front damper spacer blocks and the 2 steering tie rod extenders. Everything else mechanical is stock evora. The body work is, and always has been available for everyone to buy from Mansory, along with the original centre lock wheels.

The only real problem I see for immediate future supply is the new type of wheel. I bet there were no more than 25sets made to start with and if they want anymore they need to order another 25 sets which is never going to happen... Everything else, the wishbones and spacer blocks can be made easily enough in small batches if you have the drawing for them.

There are companies who will make one-off and small runs of custom offset forged wheels ,with the more sets you buy the cheaper they become. If th wheels are so preciuos then order a new set and take the originals off for best.

 

[aerobat]

Thanks.   To be honest, I really can't see a big market for creating many GTE copies.  The hassle is too large, not to mention the expense.  The carbon fibre body kit was not available to me (or we couldn't find out about it in North America), so it was fabricated new for me.   If I was a parts supplier, I would not be happy keeping inventory around "in case" somebody might need to buy parts someday.   From a business point of view, sell it while you can.   If more are needed in the future, enough money can always talk somebody into manufacturing new wheels.

[21gg]

So who bought the drls off ebay? Care to document them with some pictures etc to help identify them?

Gav 

[TheKevlarKid]

Finally got round to starting a little project I thought up last year (and while we're on the subject of gte wheels...).

I've made myself a pair of coffee tables for the man-cave from the original centre lock wheels that came off the red gte. I'm just waiting for the safety glass to arrive to go on top and I'm going to get the discs used as the base painted as they're rusted up somewhat.

I couldn't think of any other use for them other than scrap value (which would be peanuts), it's not like they're of use to anyone else for anything... I've still got the 20" rears to make use of if anyone has any cool ideas what to do with them? Thought about making a large wall clock or two and selling one of them??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2016 by TheKevlarKid

[Snoopy1969]

@TheKevlarKid Stunning table, but the idea of the wall clock is even better! Normally I am not the "Merchandise type of guy" but this sort of wall clock would be really intresting (no, but without a Picture of DB at the 12.... ;-)

[TheKevlarKid]

Lol, DB's head on the minute hand would be funny! Who should we have on the hour hand? Swizz beatz?

[French Frie]

il looks great, and I may be interested in such an item ... if I can afford , since the entire GTE is out of reach !

[domguy]

Fellow GTE owners, now LMS has closed where will you be taking your car for its service?  As most of the 20 cars will now be out of warranty I'm thinking a specialist like Analogue Automotive or Lakeside Engineering.  Thoughts?

[Trevsked]

Mine as always will be going to Bell & Colvill. Not sure why you would want to not have a main dealer service history with a GTE?

 

Trevor.

[Hangar 111]

Hey Dom - hope the car is going well?

The advantage of using an authorised service centre is that they still have full technical support from the factory to deal with any GTE-isms.

Dave

[21gg]

Mine has been looked after by Oakmere/CN, as the factory was a long way for me to go just for a service. It also helps they had one of their own. Always recived a good service.

Gav

[TBD]

Unfortunately GTE #11 will not rise again.

As some know, we have been in struggle with the leasing company, which saw the accident as a chance for windfall profits. They terminated the contract to cash in the insurance payment and have sold the car as scrap. The car was picked up last Friday.

You can all imanige how devasted I am and as you can expect, we are taking legal actions. Unfortunately none of that will bring back this great GTE with its unique history.

I might add a warning for all German readers on PVA Leasing. Never, ever do any businesss with them!

[BigErch]

sad news:(