lets see your Lotus(s)!
Discussion
Tuna
Most 1960/70's cars were unreliable - todays Lotus are no more relible than the early cars were, they're certainly NOT today's everyday 'tintop' reliable. So your argument is invalid IMO
If you think the elise isn't fat and heavy then you need to try a 60's lotus 7, as Rene7 said he's driven his 7 since 1970, any other car is gonna feel overweight! I'd suggest his comment's regarding the elise to be valid. Of course to anyone else who hasn't driven a 60's lotus the elise probably feels nimble & awesome, particularly if you've only ever driven sad OTT on weight FWD Hatches. OOI only FWD car ever to get close to a 60's Lotus is a Mk1 Mini cooper 'S' it weighs less than 600kg with 75 BHP and is a fabulous car to drive with the Lotus spirit
Of course you can say the early Lotus were basic cars, but hey they were intended to be be Thrashed, not driven sedately whilst cossetting the driver who's texting or talking on a mobile - a radio,heater etc,etc merely takes away from the raw driving experience. I guess that's why people still use motorbikes, which gives a rider a similar raw experience whilst travelling quickly
Thankfully Lotus are not for everyone, not everyone is prepared to forego all the comforts whilst driving, I never use the hood/sidescreens on my 7 for example which makes Rain an interesting experience sadly never to be tried on a modern 'saloon' or 'coupe' Lotus
I have a Q - How often do you use any of the current Lotii's top speed - I'd suggest NEVER [which makes having such a high top speed useless], the heavyweight nature of the current cars has to be Humped around on each drive - In comparison the Lightweight dynamics of a 60's/70's lotus is enjoyed everytime you drive it - just think about that for awhile
Rene7
I agree with you on the 70's elite - the door close lines were truly apalling and it was a slug when compared to ALL its predecessors, Whatever was CC thinking ??
Of course All elite & later Lotii have to be compared with the GT type cars of that era [NOT REAL SPORTSCARS] - porshe etc probably fell over laughing when they saw it, sadly Colin C lost his street cred overnight IMO. That's why 60/70's lotii are so £valuable and Elite et al are worth Sweet FA
Most 1960/70's cars were unreliable - todays Lotus are no more relible than the early cars were, they're certainly NOT today's everyday 'tintop' reliable. So your argument is invalid IMO
If you think the elise isn't fat and heavy then you need to try a 60's lotus 7, as Rene7 said he's driven his 7 since 1970, any other car is gonna feel overweight! I'd suggest his comment's regarding the elise to be valid. Of course to anyone else who hasn't driven a 60's lotus the elise probably feels nimble & awesome, particularly if you've only ever driven sad OTT on weight FWD Hatches. OOI only FWD car ever to get close to a 60's Lotus is a Mk1 Mini cooper 'S' it weighs less than 600kg with 75 BHP and is a fabulous car to drive with the Lotus spirit
Of course you can say the early Lotus were basic cars, but hey they were intended to be be Thrashed, not driven sedately whilst cossetting the driver who's texting or talking on a mobile - a radio,heater etc,etc merely takes away from the raw driving experience. I guess that's why people still use motorbikes, which gives a rider a similar raw experience whilst travelling quickly
Thankfully Lotus are not for everyone, not everyone is prepared to forego all the comforts whilst driving, I never use the hood/sidescreens on my 7 for example which makes Rain an interesting experience
sadly never to be tried on a modern 'saloon' or 'coupe' LotusI have a Q - How often do you use any of the current Lotii's top speed - I'd suggest NEVER [which makes having such a high top speed useless], the heavyweight nature of the current cars has to be Humped around on each drive - In comparison the Lightweight dynamics of a 60's/70's lotus is enjoyed everytime you drive it - just think about that for awhile
Rene7
I agree with you on the 70's elite - the door close lines were truly apalling and it was a slug when compared to ALL its predecessors, Whatever was CC thinking ??
Of course All elite & later Lotii have to be compared with the GT type cars of that era [NOT REAL SPORTSCARS] - porshe etc probably fell over laughing when they saw it, sadly Colin C lost his street cred overnight IMO. That's why 60/70's lotii are so £valuable and Elite et al are worth Sweet FA
Todays tin tops are reliable... mmm I just came over from another thread...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Check out the reliability of ‘todays tin tops’
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Check out the reliability of ‘todays tin tops’
Breadvan72 said:
Elites, Eclats and early Excels are indeed a faff. Late Excels are practical daily drivers. I have not owned an Esprit - I reckon it would be a faff but would still love one - maybe a middle period non turbo. I have owned two Europas and an Elan Plus Two - faff. But the faff is fun. Loads of thrills usually sensational.
Faff or not, I hanker after exactly the same vintage of Esprit. Perhaps the purest realisation of any Giugiaro design to make it into mass (well more than a few) production.Fancy going halvies on one? It could keep your XJS company and I could pop my dralon flares one every now and again and pop up for a drive.
[quote=S47]Tuna
Most 1960/70's cars were unreliable - todays Lotus are no more relible than the early cars were, they're certainly NOT today's everyday 'tintop' reliable. So your argument is invalid IMO
If you think the elise isn't fat and heavy then you need to try a 60's lotus 7, as Rene7 said he's driven his 7 since 1970, any other car is gonna feel overweight! I'd suggest his comment's regarding the elise to be valid. Of course to anyone else who hasn't driven a 60's lotus the elise probably feels nimble & awesome, particularly if you've only ever driven sad OTT on weight FWD Hatches. OOI only FWD car ever to get close to a 60's Lotus is a Mk1 Mini cooper 'S' it weighs less than 600kg with 75 BHP and is a fabulous car to drive with the Lotus spirit
Of course you can say the early Lotus were basic cars, but hey they were intended to be be Thrashed, not driven sedately whilst cossetting the driver who's texting or talking on a mobile - a radio,heater etc,etc merely takes away from the raw driving experience. I guess that's why people still use motorbikes, which gives a rider a similar raw experience whilst travelling quickly
Thankfully Lotus are not for everyone, not everyone is prepared to forego all the comforts whilst driving, I never use the hood/sidescreens on my 7 for example which makes Rain an interesting experience sadly never to be tried on a modern 'saloon' or 'coupe' Lotus
I have a Q - How often do you use any of the current Lotii's top speed - I'd suggest NEVER [which makes having such a high top speed useless], the heavyweight nature of the current cars has to be Humped around on each drive - In comparison the Lightweight dynamics of a 60's/70's lotus is enjoyed everytime you drive it - just think about that for awhile
HI S47
I need to email you about a post of yours a few years back, I cannot email you viaPistonheads, would you mind emailing me so I can respond.
Most 1960/70's cars were unreliable - todays Lotus are no more relible than the early cars were, they're certainly NOT today's everyday 'tintop' reliable. So your argument is invalid IMO
If you think the elise isn't fat and heavy then you need to try a 60's lotus 7, as Rene7 said he's driven his 7 since 1970, any other car is gonna feel overweight! I'd suggest his comment's regarding the elise to be valid. Of course to anyone else who hasn't driven a 60's lotus the elise probably feels nimble & awesome, particularly if you've only ever driven sad OTT on weight FWD Hatches. OOI only FWD car ever to get close to a 60's Lotus is a Mk1 Mini cooper 'S' it weighs less than 600kg with 75 BHP and is a fabulous car to drive with the Lotus spirit
Of course you can say the early Lotus were basic cars, but hey they were intended to be be Thrashed, not driven sedately whilst cossetting the driver who's texting or talking on a mobile - a radio,heater etc,etc merely takes away from the raw driving experience. I guess that's why people still use motorbikes, which gives a rider a similar raw experience whilst travelling quickly
Thankfully Lotus are not for everyone, not everyone is prepared to forego all the comforts whilst driving, I never use the hood/sidescreens on my 7 for example which makes Rain an interesting experience
sadly never to be tried on a modern 'saloon' or 'coupe' LotusI have a Q - How often do you use any of the current Lotii's top speed - I'd suggest NEVER [which makes having such a high top speed useless], the heavyweight nature of the current cars has to be Humped around on each drive - In comparison the Lightweight dynamics of a 60's/70's lotus is enjoyed everytime you drive it - just think about that for awhile
HI S47
I need to email you about a post of yours a few years back, I cannot email you viaPistonheads, would you mind emailing me so I can respond.
dontlookdown said:
Breadvan72 said:
Elites, Eclats and early Excels are indeed a faff. Late Excels are practical daily drivers. I have not owned an Esprit - I reckon it would be a faff but would still love one - maybe a middle period non turbo. I have owned two Europas and an Elan Plus Two - faff. But the faff is fun. Loads of thrills usually sensational.
Faff or not, I hanker after exactly the same vintage of Esprit. Perhaps the purest realisation of any Giugiaro design to make it into mass (well more than a few) production.Fancy going halvies on one? It could keep your XJS company and I could pop my dralon flares one every now and again and pop up for a drive.
Thorburn said:
Bebee, was about to ask if you were stood next to me taking that shot, but looking again it is the one I took and Thumbsnap has just messed up the colours with compression.
Was a good trip.
Yes James, you took a great pic, not sure about the colours and compression, I think I was talking to Cedric while you were snapping away, I'd love a full res of it or any you have of the day, a memorable weekend trip thanks to Mr Hipperson and co.Was a good trip.
You even caught a bird flying over the museum.
Edited by Bebee on Wednesday 3rd January 13:06
Bebee said:
Yes James, you took a great pic, not sure about the colours and compression, I think I was talking to Cedric while you were snapping away, I'd love a full res of it or any you have of the day, a memorable weekend trip thanks to Mr Hipperson and co.
You even caught a bird flying over the museum.
Ping me your email and I'll stick em on Dropbox. You even caught a bird flying over the museum.
Edited by Bebee on Wednesday 3rd January 13:06
Edit: Or add me as a friend on Flickr and you can download the originals from the album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thorburnj/albums/721...
Edited by Thorburn on Thursday 4th January 09:09
Thorburn said:
Bebee said:
Yes James, you took a great pic, not sure about the colours and compression, I think I was talking to Cedric while you were snapping away, I'd love a full res of it or any you have of the day, a memorable weekend trip thanks to Mr Hipperson and co.
You even caught a bird flying over the museum.
Ping me your email and I'll stick em on Dropbox. You even caught a bird flying over the museum.
Edited by Bebee on Wednesday 3rd January 13:06
Edit: Or add me as a friend on Flickr and you can download the originals from the album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thorburnj/albums/721...
Edited by Thorburn on Thursday 4th January 09:09
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