RE: Lotus Exige S1: PH Carpool
Discussion
Lovely write up...and loved the pic next to the lardy Cayman. But please don't sell it, if you have to sell something, sell the 997 - they're 10 a penny.
If you sell this I guarantee you will regret it - and having it's original K Series will only make it more desirable.
Had one myself in 2003, I think it was. I sold it to buy a Motorsport Elise with a 2.0 JUDD K Series, which I also sold. BIG MISTAKE
Here she is.....
If you sell this I guarantee you will regret it - and having it's original K Series will only make it more desirable.
Had one myself in 2003, I think it was. I sold it to buy a Motorsport Elise with a 2.0 JUDD K Series, which I also sold. BIG MISTAKE
Here she is.....
I have one been completely rebuilt engine gearbox and re sprayed to make it new all original except dampers. Just as its finished I am moving to US so will be selling. PM me if interested.
Even sourced orginal stickers and rear engine cover. This will be as near to a new factory car as is possible
Even sourced orginal stickers and rear engine cover. This will be as near to a new factory car as is possible
I'm liking all the love for the vhpd, my caterham vvc is currently undergoing some mods, dva head with solid cam and jenveys. Forged bottom end bar the crank and set to become 200bhp+. Not a cheap exercise but there was no way I was going to duratec or sigma engines. Driven the 260 2.3 cosworth duratec 7 on many occasions but you won't ever see me swapping out to one any time soon. Came very close to trying the Elise on many occasions but drove the caterham first and I just can't sell it. Killed two vvc engines now but it is wet sumped and mounted the wrong way in the 7. This article has made the prospect of its return mouth watering. Thanks for that
Great article, forum comments and fantastic photos.
Closely allied to the wonderful Exige, I’m an Elise fan.
And as for the tales of sadness after selling......
I bought a supercharged 111R to replace my S1.
But couldn’t part with the S1. So after two years of dual ownership the 111R has gone.
Missing it already....
Closely allied to the wonderful Exige, I’m an Elise fan.
And as for the tales of sadness after selling......
I bought a supercharged 111R to replace my S1.
But couldn’t part with the S1. So after two years of dual ownership the 111R has gone.
Missing it already....
Edited by Sion111R on Tuesday 10th April 19:52
giveitfish said:
Andy - you mentioned petrol smells? I used to have the same. My Elise is more or less the same age as your Exige and the petrol filler pipes had degenerated to the point of leaking from age. I went from a slight smell of petrol one year to it literally pouring on the floor at the pump the following year.
If you don't get a hiss of pressure equalization when you remove the cap then you probably need new pipes fitting.
Mine no longer smells of petrol, but exhaust fumes when the roof is on and windows open is another thing entirely and seems unavoidable!
I changed all the petrol pipes (and tank) and now petrol smell free If you don't get a hiss of pressure equalization when you remove the cap then you probably need new pipes fitting.
Mine no longer smells of petrol, but exhaust fumes when the roof is on and windows open is another thing entirely and seems unavoidable!
“Brilliant that a few folk knew Mike as well - he was such a great guy and his passing was so sad. I'm not sure I'm such a worthy owner but I am trying. His registration M250MGS stayed on the car for about 18 months after I bought the car - it then reverted to its original X48UOM, which I rather like too. I have pondered trying to get hold of 447EXG but never pursued it. Mike then put M250MGS on his laser blue Evora. I'm afraid I don't know whether it stayed in the family after he died. “
Andy, this is a wonderful article. Mike Stripe was my dear father, and it’s wonderful to read such lovely words about the man I was so proud to have as my dad. Im also extremely pleased to report that the Evora is still very much in the family! My brother is now the official owner, and we are all fortunate enough to be able to drive her on a regular basis. I can also confirm that the plate M250 MGS is firmly attributed to the Evora now! Yes - Dad did have a deposit down on the M250, hence the number plate. Now that number plate remains part of his legacy, and boy, am I proud to drive around in the Evora sporting that very plate!
He would have, no doubt, absolutely loved to have seen what you’ve done with the car, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to know that the car is as well
loved and looked after as any legacy of the greatest man I know should be. If you’re ever in the Midlands, I know a few folk who would appreciate a ride.
Andy, this is a wonderful article. Mike Stripe was my dear father, and it’s wonderful to read such lovely words about the man I was so proud to have as my dad. Im also extremely pleased to report that the Evora is still very much in the family! My brother is now the official owner, and we are all fortunate enough to be able to drive her on a regular basis. I can also confirm that the plate M250 MGS is firmly attributed to the Evora now! Yes - Dad did have a deposit down on the M250, hence the number plate. Now that number plate remains part of his legacy, and boy, am I proud to drive around in the Evora sporting that very plate!
He would have, no doubt, absolutely loved to have seen what you’ve done with the car, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to know that the car is as well
loved and looked after as any legacy of the greatest man I know should be. If you’re ever in the Midlands, I know a few folk who would appreciate a ride.
Edited by Theicechick on Tuesday 10th April 22:44
Very cool story, very cool car and great to hear it being used as intended!
There isn't much to add to the above account as an owner of one of these amazing little machines, summed up brilliantly.
I have to pinch myself each time I open the garage door and see it there looking ready for a race track. I took the plunge in a moment of madness but for me it was that shape, that raw driving experience that captivated me. I'm so glad I went with the heart rules decision to get one.
It's very interesting to hear of owners past and present that have access to and driven or owned many other exotics, many far more capabable, faster and more expensive machinery yet still there is that certain something, I guess that little bit of magic or is it that real rawness bred from race car DNA that is sorely missed. Trying to replicate that feeling it seems is a rare thing indeed.
Massive thumbs up from me for the car and the story
There isn't much to add to the above account as an owner of one of these amazing little machines, summed up brilliantly.
I have to pinch myself each time I open the garage door and see it there looking ready for a race track. I took the plunge in a moment of madness but for me it was that shape, that raw driving experience that captivated me. I'm so glad I went with the heart rules decision to get one.
It's very interesting to hear of owners past and present that have access to and driven or owned many other exotics, many far more capabable, faster and more expensive machinery yet still there is that certain something, I guess that little bit of magic or is it that real rawness bred from race car DNA that is sorely missed. Trying to replicate that feeling it seems is a rare thing indeed.
Massive thumbs up from me for the car and the story
Edited by Evoman on Thursday 12th April 10:43
Edited by Evoman on Thursday 12th April 10:44
Edited by Evoman on Monday 16th April 18:06
What a great write up, and great to see the son of Mike getting in touch - lovely to read.
These are rightfully quite a bit of money these days. The reality is there is nothing really like them, and there will never be again.
I am fortunate enough to have a Motosport Elise that has gone through many iterations. I think at max it was pushing 260 through the K Series and sadly it just became both cost prohibitive and uncompetitive against newer Lottuses with the supercharged Toyota lump. We switched to Duratec, which improved performance but did upset the balance a little. You also can't beat the induction noise of the K Seres. You're right, it's like a '90s Super Tourer.
Here's our baby; it has a Hewland sequential with paddleshift, central seat, quantums... it's quick! Sadly, it's been mothballed a few years now; need to get it back out.
These are rightfully quite a bit of money these days. The reality is there is nothing really like them, and there will never be again.
I am fortunate enough to have a Motosport Elise that has gone through many iterations. I think at max it was pushing 260 through the K Series and sadly it just became both cost prohibitive and uncompetitive against newer Lottuses with the supercharged Toyota lump. We switched to Duratec, which improved performance but did upset the balance a little. You also can't beat the induction noise of the K Seres. You're right, it's like a '90s Super Tourer.
Here's our baby; it has a Hewland sequential with paddleshift, central seat, quantums... it's quick! Sadly, it's been mothballed a few years now; need to get it back out.
hondansx said:
What a great write up, and great to see the son of Mike getting in touch - lovely to read.
Close! But actually I'm his daughter! :-D My mum, a 65 year old Grandmother, also drives the Evora. She's a regular at the LDC breakfast meets. You could say Dad's love of motoring and lotus legacy has rubbed off on his family somewhat. It's wonderful and very humbling to read such fond words of my Dad.Here's myself, my brother, and my dad with his 1981 Elite series II. Also still in the family! She was off the road for a few years, but pleased to say she's now back up and running and on the road. Many many happy motoring family memories.
Not only do I drive the Evora but I drove the Exige, Mike encouraged me to do so and I even took it to the NEC in Nov 2001 because my wonderful husband was delayed at work so I had to drive the Exige on to the LDC stand! We used to take both the Elite and Exige to various shows. I usually drove the one that wasn't likely to give trouble! Not sure that many grandmothers have driven an Exige but then my husband was an exceptional man who encouraged me to drive his cars. So good to read the article. The MGS spirit lives on.
Beauty is highly subjective, but I must challenge your opinion of the Exige's looks as the best of all Lotus cars. I'd award that to the original Elite (1957-63), with its pure lines and perfect balance, uncluttered by wings, extensions, scoops, and the other design distractions that bedevil so many modern cars.
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