LolaVisit-AceCafe-BeaulieuMuseum
Discussion
A few months ago I was invited to get a personal tour at the Huntingdon based hitech Lola factory. I combined this with last tuesdaynights Ace Cafe Classic Car meet and stretched it with a days visit at the wonderfull Beaulieu Motormuseum.
I invited a few palls, will tell the stories and show the snaps to share with you PH-lot. Enjoy!
Early rise, huge cofee, a quick EasyJet and a call with M3J and before I knew it I was up to my ears in automotive delight. John fetched me and drove up to the Pink Elefant's near Stansted to join the rest of the bunch. Great to meet some old friends (Wayne, Andy, Phil, John) and a new face (Darab). After a quick chat I hopped in Wayne mighty 460 Cid engined RAM Cob and we convoyed to H'don.
John leading our pack in his immaculate and fine E46 M3. Followed by Andy in his hardtopped - beautifull piece of work that - and thunderous 350 Cid Chevy powered Dax Cob. The red vert is Darab's rare 944 Porker turbo, a quick one that!
The M is a silent and very comfy traveller. Hitting the throtle makes serious progress accompanied by the finest 6pot scream. We had to guess the revs 'cause the counter was out. We did hit 7 allright.
Not much congestion on our way. I checked my cellphone every now and then and found a call from BossCerbera. Since the Cob is loud and the wind adds a bit of sound too we had to text. He had a few cars in his way but arrived only about 30 mins later to join the tour.
We could park our beasties in front of the Lola factory. While I was unmessing my hair - OMG! - Wayne explains his PERFECT Cob to Andy and John.
Big Holley Dominator sits on 7.7 litres of pure Yank madness. Nice 4 speed toploader copes well with the Ford collosal torquenumbers. Lifting means Houwitser quality backfires. There is nothing like it. My pick of the bunch easy. Well done Wayne, don't you change too much on this stunner.
We were visitors allright, ready to have a look inside.
Next: meet the group and inside Lola's.
I invited a few palls, will tell the stories and show the snaps to share with you PH-lot. Enjoy!
Early rise, huge cofee, a quick EasyJet and a call with M3J and before I knew it I was up to my ears in automotive delight. John fetched me and drove up to the Pink Elefant's near Stansted to join the rest of the bunch. Great to meet some old friends (Wayne, Andy, Phil, John) and a new face (Darab). After a quick chat I hopped in Wayne mighty 460 Cid engined RAM Cob and we convoyed to H'don.
John leading our pack in his immaculate and fine E46 M3. Followed by Andy in his hardtopped - beautifull piece of work that - and thunderous 350 Cid Chevy powered Dax Cob. The red vert is Darab's rare 944 Porker turbo, a quick one that!
The M is a silent and very comfy traveller. Hitting the throtle makes serious progress accompanied by the finest 6pot scream. We had to guess the revs 'cause the counter was out. We did hit 7 allright.
Not much congestion on our way. I checked my cellphone every now and then and found a call from BossCerbera. Since the Cob is loud and the wind adds a bit of sound too we had to text. He had a few cars in his way but arrived only about 30 mins later to join the tour.
We could park our beasties in front of the Lola factory. While I was unmessing my hair - OMG! - Wayne explains his PERFECT Cob to Andy and John.
Big Holley Dominator sits on 7.7 litres of pure Yank madness. Nice 4 speed toploader copes well with the Ford collosal torquenumbers. Lifting means Houwitser quality backfires. There is nothing like it. My pick of the bunch easy. Well done Wayne, don't you change too much on this stunner.
We were visitors allright, ready to have a look inside.
Next: meet the group and inside Lola's.
Wayne & Cob, sound guy and by christ what a car!! 
i was one of the lucky nutters invited to join Al & his bunch of chosen merry men on the Lola tour too, being a native of the area i'd passed the place plenty of times (only KFC in the county i know is just a stones throw up the road!
) but i was unaware of how big, hi tech or top secret the place was!
it was a real honour and a privelege to tag along with you Albert and it was super to meet Dan (a top guy who also provided the way that i got there...) Phil, Wayne, Bosscerb et all, top bunch of guys the lot of 'em!
i could only make the Lola trip unfortunately, so i'll look forward to seeing the Ace and Beaulieu snaps too, but i'll certainly be happy to post my snaps from Lola too, we were only allowed to photo the 3 cars in the reception/lobby type area, i'll get to them in a little bit...
Wayne's 460 RAM Cob has already been mentioned and i too got to sample that beast as well, on the way to the refreshment venue in St Neots i swapped cars with Al and i hopped in the Cob with Wayne to lead a little convoy across country, what a car, a little cramped and raw, but with power and torque like that who needs creature comforts?!,
this was my first time in any Cob too and what a place to start!
the harnesses were a little tricky to get into initially, but once settled in it was time to hit the road...
which is precisely what we did and then some!
the scenery suddenly went into hyperspeed here!
the sound is worth mentioning too, a brutal V8 blare that pops and properly bangs... like a ruddy great shotgun!
riding shotgun here along my local highstreet in St Neots, another PH'ette is out of shot here unfortunately, but with a 5 strong convoy behind there was no shortage of stares and glances!
the calm after the storm (well earthquake to be more precise really!
) the 460 gently ticks as we headed off for tea and cakes and to check snaps, recount tales etc
i hopped back in with Dan and his fine 350i afterward to be dropped off home, the Cob was shaking the windows and drowning out the 350's RV8 bass!
some builders commented too!
i was one of the lucky nutters invited to join Al & his bunch of chosen merry men on the Lola tour too, being a native of the area i'd passed the place plenty of times (only KFC in the county i know is just a stones throw up the road!
) but i was unaware of how big, hi tech or top secret the place was!it was a real honour and a privelege to tag along with you Albert and it was super to meet Dan (a top guy who also provided the way that i got there...) Phil, Wayne, Bosscerb et all, top bunch of guys the lot of 'em!
i could only make the Lola trip unfortunately, so i'll look forward to seeing the Ace and Beaulieu snaps too, but i'll certainly be happy to post my snaps from Lola too, we were only allowed to photo the 3 cars in the reception/lobby type area, i'll get to them in a little bit...
Wayne's 460 RAM Cob has already been mentioned and i too got to sample that beast as well, on the way to the refreshment venue in St Neots i swapped cars with Al and i hopped in the Cob with Wayne to lead a little convoy across country, what a car, a little cramped and raw, but with power and torque like that who needs creature comforts?!,
this was my first time in any Cob too and what a place to start!
the harnesses were a little tricky to get into initially, but once settled in it was time to hit the road...
which is precisely what we did and then some!
the scenery suddenly went into hyperspeed here!
the sound is worth mentioning too, a brutal V8 blare that pops and properly bangs... like a ruddy great shotgun!
riding shotgun here along my local highstreet in St Neots, another PH'ette is out of shot here unfortunately, but with a 5 strong convoy behind there was no shortage of stares and glances!
the calm after the storm (well earthquake to be more precise really!
) the 460 gently ticks as we headed off for tea and cakes and to check snaps, recount tales etci hopped back in with Dan and his fine 350i afterward to be dropped off home, the Cob was shaking the windows and drowning out the 350's RV8 bass!
some builders commented too!
A, good to see you posting up on this one. Really like your words mate and can't wait to see the rest of your photo's.
Yes it's a e36 not e46 mate
. 7 on the tacho - na more than that mate and grabbing 3rd strongly ! Glad you enjoyed it, even if it was a little bland compared to some of the other company on the day - the silent assassin we'll have to call it. 
No pictures from me i'm afraid, although i did take my camera. I saw plenty of others taking photo's of our group so thought i'd lay off it for once. Would have taken the camera into Lola though if we were allowed - a real Alladins Cave there - make no mistake.
James, was nice to meet you too if only briefly. A shame you couldn't make the Ace - a fantastic place that with petrol in it's veins.
Yes it's a e36 not e46 mate
. 7 on the tacho - na more than that mate and grabbing 3rd strongly ! Glad you enjoyed it, even if it was a little bland compared to some of the other company on the day - the silent assassin we'll have to call it. No pictures from me i'm afraid, although i did take my camera. I saw plenty of others taking photo's of our group so thought i'd lay off it for once.
Would have taken the camera into Lola though if we were allowed - a real Alladins Cave there - make no mistake.James, was nice to meet you too if only briefly. A shame you couldn't make the Ace - a fantastic place that with petrol in it's veins.
It was a lovely day for that drive. Looks like you all had a great outing, as i've said, you would have been most welcome at my house for Tea, Coffee, Jam, Scones and Clotted Cream! Next time
Wishing Lola and all their guys (better than last years great performance) luck at LeMans.
fastcaterham said:
That sounds great, would love to have a private tour or somewhere like the lola factory. Pics are nice too. Thanks for sharing!
In hindsight, I don't appreciate some things sometimes.Wishing Lola and all their guys (better than last years great performance) luck at LeMans.
Dink must be busy sorting out a few more choice shots so i'll post now about how i got myself to Lola
a few weeks beforehand Albert mentioned the idea of recieving a lift with Dan Rogers (AKA Digga951) in his super tasty 350i Wedge seeing as i am still learning to drive (Digga's car is well known from Al's own review and the TVR 60th Anniv bit on C&SC in which Dans car was featured) of course i jumped at the chance what with me being a huge TVR nut and all and it was arranged that i'd be picked up at my house and take a leisurely blast over to Lola taking in some fine country B roads along the way
bright and early Tuesday morning i heard a familiar rumble (right from the back of my house too!) and was greeted with this outside my front door!,
this was way better than any alarmn clock i'll tell ya!
Dan's a top guy, he showed up a little early, but it gave us the chance to have a good chat about this wonderful car (its an interesting story how Dan acquired it too, check Dinks review!) its a very unique and eye catching Wedge and its driven properly too!
we nosied round the car for a little while and then began the hoon up to Al & co
Dan insists its not quite as well sorted mechanically as it looks externally, but it still runs as sweet as a nut, an effortless cruiser that can be driven through town crawls with confidence (and with the custom fitted fan cooler mod no overheating business too!) and then rip up the B roads with real gutso, followed by that addictive multi layered, rythmic pre cat RV8 banshee wail!
the rip up was enjoyable, fast, yet relaxing too we arrived at Lola with a little time to kill too
sittin' pretty outside Lola, one of the most eyecatching cars there for sure!
after our excellent tour (every dept with some great guides) me and Albert swapped cars for our jaunt back as mentioned above, here Dan & Dink get ready for the somewhat relaxed jaunt back compared to the facewrenching thrill ride i got in the 460 Cob!
after a good blast up, the Wedge got to relax on the Market Square before its journey onward to the Ace
we got to admire its old skool Vitesse derived heart too
many big thanks again to Dan for stopping by to pick me up and drop me off home in the beast, a big
to you good sir!
John, great to meet you too mate, i will make an Ace night one of these days...
Gretch, i'll put in a good word for your services if something similar happens again!maybe you could come along too who knows!
a few weeks beforehand Albert mentioned the idea of recieving a lift with Dan Rogers (AKA Digga951) in his super tasty 350i Wedge seeing as i am still learning to drive (Digga's car is well known from Al's own review and the TVR 60th Anniv bit on C&SC in which Dans car was featured) of course i jumped at the chance what with me being a huge TVR nut and all and it was arranged that i'd be picked up at my house and take a leisurely blast over to Lola taking in some fine country B roads along the way
bright and early Tuesday morning i heard a familiar rumble (right from the back of my house too!) and was greeted with this outside my front door!,
this was way better than any alarmn clock i'll tell ya!
Dan's a top guy, he showed up a little early, but it gave us the chance to have a good chat about this wonderful car (its an interesting story how Dan acquired it too, check Dinks review!) its a very unique and eye catching Wedge and its driven properly too!
we nosied round the car for a little while and then began the hoon up to Al & co
Dan insists its not quite as well sorted mechanically as it looks externally, but it still runs as sweet as a nut, an effortless cruiser that can be driven through town crawls with confidence (and with the custom fitted fan cooler mod no overheating business too!) and then rip up the B roads with real gutso, followed by that addictive multi layered, rythmic pre cat RV8 banshee wail!
the rip up was enjoyable, fast, yet relaxing too we arrived at Lola with a little time to kill too
sittin' pretty outside Lola, one of the most eyecatching cars there for sure!
after our excellent tour (every dept with some great guides) me and Albert swapped cars for our jaunt back as mentioned above, here Dan & Dink get ready for the somewhat relaxed jaunt back compared to the facewrenching thrill ride i got in the 460 Cob!
after a good blast up, the Wedge got to relax on the Market Square before its journey onward to the Ace
we got to admire its old skool Vitesse derived heart too
many big thanks again to Dan for stopping by to pick me up and drop me off home in the beast, a big
to you good sir!John, great to meet you too mate, i will make an Ace night one of these days...
Gretch, i'll put in a good word for your services if something similar happens again!maybe you could come along too who knows!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 12th June 18:27
You do have a fine way to write it all down James, excellent bits there again.
I've 4 more snaps to go for tonight, the rest - 150 plus - will have to wait for there's loads of work to do over here.
Dans looker here. As said he fetched James and a big thumbsup for that.
Transmitter Man Phil's Beemer turbodiesel on the left. His gorgeous DT Longchamp later at the Ace cafe.
A few minutes after our arrival Sinclair parked his Alfa and joined the group in chitchatting cars.
FLTR: Phil, Darab, John, Sinclair, Andy, Wayne enjoying Andy Cob's upholstery.
Sinc's thinking: "Now would that be more reliable than my Cerb I wonder?"
The hardtop makes the Dax stand out lovely. Old Skool turbo 944 in the only proper colour for it, IMO.
More saturday.
I've 4 more snaps to go for tonight, the rest - 150 plus - will have to wait for there's loads of work to do over here.
Dans looker here. As said he fetched James and a big thumbsup for that.
Transmitter Man Phil's Beemer turbodiesel on the left. His gorgeous DT Longchamp later at the Ace cafe.
A few minutes after our arrival Sinclair parked his Alfa and joined the group in chitchatting cars.
FLTR: Phil, Darab, John, Sinclair, Andy, Wayne enjoying Andy Cob's upholstery.
Sinc's thinking: "Now would that be more reliable than my Cerb I wonder?"
The hardtop makes the Dax stand out lovely. Old Skool turbo 944 in the only proper colour for it, IMO.
More saturday.
dinkel said:
13 degrees C and yes, rain.
We'll see: I won't let weather forecasts ruin my weekendDry weather will just be so much nicer for the kids: they want to visit Plopsa Coo (Dinkel knows what I'm talking about)
We will be staying at La Maison des Senteurs, shame there's no place for us there in september...
dinkel said:
Not much congestion on our way. I checked my cellphone every now and then and found a call from BossCerbera. Since the Cob is loud and the wind adds a bit of sound too we had to text. He had a few cars in his way but arrived only about 30 mins later to join the tour.
Hmmm.... Had quite a drive getting to Huntingdon. Cerbera was the right tool for the job..... Good to see you Dink, really enjoyed the Lola tour!
bosscerbera said:
Hmmm.... Had quite a drive getting to Huntingdon. Cerbera was the right tool for the job.....
Good to see you Dink, really enjoyed the Lola tour!
Cheers, I bet you did, food for thought I guess. A very well sorted system and all managed very well. Good to see you Dink, really enjoyed the Lola tour!
The 4.5 sounded brilliant BTW, good to see some mud on it too
The cookie-pic turned out wel: "Do you get the whole car on the picture?"
I love Monty Python
Klassiekerrally said:
We will be staying at La Maison des Senteurs, shame there's no place for us there in september...
We will envy all with our stay in the castle mate. 
Looks like you all had a fantastic day - How did one go about getting in on this tour then? Would have loved to tag along especially as Lola are only down the road from me?
James - did Digga show you his portfolio of work he did to get that 350i into the state it is currently in? The man deserves a medal for the work he's put into it!!
James - did Digga show you his portfolio of work he did to get that 350i into the state it is currently in? The man deserves a medal for the work he's put into it!!
Zippee said:
James - did Digga show you his portfolio of work he did to get that 350i into the state it is currently in? The man deserves a medal for the work he's put into it!!
he did indeed, incredible stuff, that car has been completely transformed!he still insists its not quite perfect yet tho', but IMO its still a good solid example
BTW, been a while!heres a few more shots of the other cars that came along,
few more snaps of The Stoats distinctive hard roofed Dax 427, the assembled rabble had cleared off by the time me and Dan rumbled in!
passing folk would have definetely known something special was going on, there were 4 tasty cars lined up outside innitially which also included Darabs rare 944 Turbo 'Vert
resplendant in Guards Red, easily one of the best Pork hues IMO
altho' we couldn't peruse over it until the tour had ended, the car coalition outside was soon joined by another slab of delicious Blackpool rock,
splattered with bugs and all the other grimy detritus you get after a spirited drive, BossCerbera joined us with his splendid Imperial Blue 4.5
a car i had seen gracing these pages many times, but this was the first time i had seen it in person, a very tasteful example, the SP12 wheels finish it off great IMO, they fit in with the lines of a Cerbera particularly well too
was good to also say hello to you too Phil, i said it there and i'll say it again, jeez thats a mighty fine selection of cars you have!
i'll finish my lot off soon...
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