Mustard, Spice or Norfolk
Discussion
Hi Everyone
I am looking to get myself a Mk1 Elise as soon as I manage to get shot of my MGF (long story). I used to drive an MX5 until I had the unfortunate experience of turning it over (another long story).
Anyway, I have never been happy with the MGF as my opinion, never offered the driving experience of the MX5, despite being quicker with the VVC engine. After 3 years MGF ownership, struggling to save for a replacement (started my own business and cash is never there when you need it... darn it!!) I think I have put way enough to get a Mk1 Elise, 111s maybe if I scrounge a little more, or do some fancy exchange for work with a Lotus dealer.
My question, which I hope somebody can help with, is to do with colour. My friend once had a standard Mk1 in titanium, and although I like this colour, I can’t possibly get one in the same colour as what he had. I have pretty much decided that yellow is the way forward. I have been teasing myself something rotten over the last 6 months by reading everything I can on the Elsie, and sucking the Internet dry of pictures, but I still can’t work out if there are different shades of yellow?
Some people refer to the colour as mustard, some Norfolk and some Spice. Is there a difference? Some of the pictures I find look a nice bright metallic English mustard; wares others appear to be - well - positively Dijon.
The other question I have is with the engine. I am well keen on the revy VVC engine, so ideally would like to get a 111s, however a standard motor would be much easier to obtain and leave a little left over for new tires. I do like the ability to blast by people form 60 – 80 and I am a little concerned that the standard model may seam gutless, or at least not a big enough step up from the MG. Any opinions would be welcome.
Insurance doesn’t appear to be too much of a problem for 111s with Tescos, considering I have only just had my 24th birthday, had two accidents and 6 points for speeding in 2001 (very bad year).
I am looking to get myself a Mk1 Elise as soon as I manage to get shot of my MGF (long story). I used to drive an MX5 until I had the unfortunate experience of turning it over (another long story).
Anyway, I have never been happy with the MGF as my opinion, never offered the driving experience of the MX5, despite being quicker with the VVC engine. After 3 years MGF ownership, struggling to save for a replacement (started my own business and cash is never there when you need it... darn it!!) I think I have put way enough to get a Mk1 Elise, 111s maybe if I scrounge a little more, or do some fancy exchange for work with a Lotus dealer.
My question, which I hope somebody can help with, is to do with colour. My friend once had a standard Mk1 in titanium, and although I like this colour, I can’t possibly get one in the same colour as what he had. I have pretty much decided that yellow is the way forward. I have been teasing myself something rotten over the last 6 months by reading everything I can on the Elsie, and sucking the Internet dry of pictures, but I still can’t work out if there are different shades of yellow?
Some people refer to the colour as mustard, some Norfolk and some Spice. Is there a difference? Some of the pictures I find look a nice bright metallic English mustard; wares others appear to be - well - positively Dijon.
The other question I have is with the engine. I am well keen on the revy VVC engine, so ideally would like to get a 111s, however a standard motor would be much easier to obtain and leave a little left over for new tires. I do like the ability to blast by people form 60 – 80 and I am a little concerned that the standard model may seam gutless, or at least not a big enough step up from the MG. Any opinions would be welcome.
Insurance doesn’t appear to be too much of a problem for 111s with Tescos, considering I have only just had my 24th birthday, had two accidents and 6 points for speeding in 2001 (very bad year).
Oh yes - I have seen the S2 colours and I think they are WELL NICE! I have seen your red one and that looks good, however one of my personal favourites is the deep purple.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43114&item=2490697110&rd=1
If I had the money to burn, that would be the car for me.
I am still stuck though. I am only confused with the S1 yellow. I have seen it listed as Metallic in places. Some have called it Norfolk Metallic in their ads, and other just call it Norfolk Mustard, or even spice yellow. Is there are difference?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43114&item=2490697110&rd=1
If I had the money to burn, that would be the car for me.
I am still stuck though. I am only confused with the S1 yellow. I have seen it listed as Metallic in places. Some have called it Norfolk Metallic in their ads, and other just call it Norfolk Mustard, or even spice yellow. Is there are difference?
healandtoe said:
Some people refer to the colour as mustard, some Norfolk and some Spice.
Yes.
The S1 came in 2 types of yellow. Norfolk Mustard and Spice Yellow.
The difference is that one is a 'flat' yellow colour and the other is a metallic paint.
Lotus did the changeover without much notice or information, so many people don't even know exactly what type they have unless the paint code is checked.
Bye, Arno.
Edited to say: I have to congratulatie you on the choice of colour. The Elise of course just 'has to be yellow'
(guess which colour I have 
) >> Edited by Arno on Wednesday 29th September 13:48
Top Stuff! So getting back to my original post, when do you think the metallic yellow cam in? Would it be fair to say that a 111s would be metallic?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=25897&s=12
The above car looks flat (sorry, shinny, but non metallic), even kind of an orange tint to it.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=27968&s=12
But this one looks bright yellow, which I like a lot.
Yellow… it was how god intended it to be. No I don’t put silver fish on the back of my car.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=25897&s=12
The above car looks flat (sorry, shinny, but non metallic), even kind of an orange tint to it.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=27968&s=12
But this one looks bright yellow, which I like a lot.
Yellow… it was how god intended it to be. No I don’t put silver fish on the back of my car.
I have a metallic yellow one and it's paint code says "B36" which is Norfolk Mustard 'metalic', according to the Lotus Dealer.
To address the 60-80 worry, all i can say is my 111S goes like stink between these and any other 20mph gap you care to mention. Even very quick 90-110! Tops out on the back straight at Goodwood Circuit at 132.
And due to the amazeing cornering speeds you can do, the colour stops people pulling out in front of you on big roundabouts. Cause they see you comin'
To address the 60-80 worry, all i can say is my 111S goes like stink between these and any other 20mph gap you care to mention. Even very quick 90-110! Tops out on the back straight at Goodwood Circuit at 132.
And due to the amazeing cornering speeds you can do, the colour stops people pulling out in front of you on big roundabouts. Cause they see you comin'
Yours looks great in the picture. What year is it? Yellow is defiantly the way to go, being a little extrovert that I am! (Not a show off mind)
I think that I am going to have to pool all of my resources together for a 111s. I like the extra bits like the spoiler, lights, carbon dash etc, and I think I really do want that little bit of extra poke. My mate had himself a Titanium Mk1 for a few months until he couldn’t live with it (typical rep), and he didn’t manage to pull away from me much in my VVC MG. He did drive like a girl mind (sorry ladies, figure of speech)
Got a girl coming to view my MG on Saturday, so it could be good-by for it; fingers crossed? I would like to fork out for the lotus right away, but I have a little sailing strip across the Atlantic planed for November and I’m not quite sure how long I will be away for. I may get a banger and then get my Lotus when I get back. Trouble is - I don’t think I can hang out for a month before I go. Anyway, on the bright side, they may be a little cheaper in Dec / Jan.
I think that I am going to have to pool all of my resources together for a 111s. I like the extra bits like the spoiler, lights, carbon dash etc, and I think I really do want that little bit of extra poke. My mate had himself a Titanium Mk1 for a few months until he couldn’t live with it (typical rep), and he didn’t manage to pull away from me much in my VVC MG. He did drive like a girl mind (sorry ladies, figure of speech)
Got a girl coming to view my MG on Saturday, so it could be good-by for it; fingers crossed? I would like to fork out for the lotus right away, but I have a little sailing strip across the Atlantic planed for November and I’m not quite sure how long I will be away for. I may get a banger and then get my Lotus when I get back. Trouble is - I don’t think I can hang out for a month before I go. Anyway, on the bright side, they may be a little cheaper in Dec / Jan.
Hey Chaps
I'm not so sure about the difference between a slightly modified S1 & the S1 111S in terms of performance. Don't get me wrong, the VVC engine is very smooth and it's flexability higher up the rev range is excellent, all this with the close ratio box makes it have a real edge over a standard S1. But a S1 with a few mods (like me) you should expect to see 135BHP as a minimum. I know some people want to keep their cars standard and that's a personal choice, but my S1 will soon be pushing out Approx 160 BHP with not a great deal of money spent. I priced up both standard S1's and 111s and for the price difference at the time (£2.5 - £3K) I could make my S1 into a real monster.
Current state of tune:
Hurricane induction Kit - £170
52mm Throttle Body - £140
De-Cat Pipe - £30
Stainless exhaust - £285
Superchip (Previous owner) - £300ish
From this I got my motor on the rollers and it was pushing out 137BHP and all costing £925. all of the kit was fitted by myself, but all really easy to complete.
Next stage of tuning:
Piper BP270 cams & Verniers
Emerald ECU
Some work to the head (as yet undecided)
Just the cams & ECU should push the 137BHP up to 155BHP approx - and I think that is being a little conservitive.
Lastly - tuning of the VVC. It can be tuned like any other K series, bolt on items are just the same as the non VVC varient, but when it come to real power you are limited by the VVC set-up. All that said you can still manage 170BHP with some head mods, and some bolt on items.
Anyway - Good Luck
I'm not so sure about the difference between a slightly modified S1 & the S1 111S in terms of performance. Don't get me wrong, the VVC engine is very smooth and it's flexability higher up the rev range is excellent, all this with the close ratio box makes it have a real edge over a standard S1. But a S1 with a few mods (like me) you should expect to see 135BHP as a minimum. I know some people want to keep their cars standard and that's a personal choice, but my S1 will soon be pushing out Approx 160 BHP with not a great deal of money spent. I priced up both standard S1's and 111s and for the price difference at the time (£2.5 - £3K) I could make my S1 into a real monster.
Current state of tune:
Hurricane induction Kit - £170
52mm Throttle Body - £140
De-Cat Pipe - £30
Stainless exhaust - £285
Superchip (Previous owner) - £300ish
From this I got my motor on the rollers and it was pushing out 137BHP and all costing £925. all of the kit was fitted by myself, but all really easy to complete.
Next stage of tuning:
Piper BP270 cams & Verniers
Emerald ECU
Some work to the head (as yet undecided)
Just the cams & ECU should push the 137BHP up to 155BHP approx - and I think that is being a little conservitive.
Lastly - tuning of the VVC. It can be tuned like any other K series, bolt on items are just the same as the non VVC varient, but when it come to real power you are limited by the VVC set-up. All that said you can still manage 170BHP with some head mods, and some bolt on items.
Anyway - Good Luck
I think I can answer your 'yellow' question ... I think you'll find they are all Norfolk Mustard, it's just that Lotus went from solid to metallic at about the late 98 year model. I have a 99 111s, Norfolk Mustard (B36) and very definitely metallic. Not sure but I think 'spice' is a figment of the imagination.
Ah that sounds good! I am hoping to get a 1999 model if I can.
I don’t think I can away with any serious mods with the Tesco Insurance. I have to keep Tesco happy as they only want £1550 for me on a 111s; all other insurance companies want me to cough up about 2.5K.
“Every Little Helps”
Can anybody tell me which year Lotus started sticking down rubber mats? My friends 98 model had bare alloy foot wells and I loved to clean them up with metal polish and make them sparkle.
I don’t think I can away with any serious mods with the Tesco Insurance. I have to keep Tesco happy as they only want £1550 for me on a 111s; all other insurance companies want me to cough up about 2.5K.
“Every Little Helps”
Can anybody tell me which year Lotus started sticking down rubber mats? My friends 98 model had bare alloy foot wells and I loved to clean them up with metal polish and make them sparkle.
I think you'll find they all had the black adhesive mats, but would imagine they can be removed, bet it would look nice all polished up but perhaps a hard job to keep looking really nice ... post a pic if you can??
Sorry to hear about the insurance though ... don't worry though, it gets easier, when you're an old f_rt like me ... down to £340 with the ncd etc.
>> Edited by stevie111s on Thursday 30th September 13:50
Sorry to hear about the insurance though ... don't worry though, it gets easier, when you're an old f_rt like me ... down to £340 with the ncd etc.
>> Edited by stevie111s on Thursday 30th September 13:50
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff