Discussion
Encouraged by the "show us your rear end" thread, I'd thought I'd share some photos on my steed.
I've owned the car for some 5 years now, and I've spenmt a great deal on it and a great deal of time driving it! It started off as a Lotus press car in 1998 and was then left in a shed around Hethel for some time. Although manufactured in 1998, it was registered by its first owner in 2004!
He spent time taking on trackdays and upgraded the engine from a standard Rover K-series, to one with 170 bhp & throttle bodies. After a short period the engine either let go or he simply fancied something more reliable, so in went a very early Essex Autosport (nee'Sinclaires) Honda K20 engine, with very low miles.
Developing 197bhp at the wheels and weighing in at around 750kg, the power to weight ratio is rather good. Anyway, the owner decided to set up a chalet business in France and needed the capital, so along I came and bought it, with just 15k on the clock.
During this time I've spent a large sum of money, replacing parts of the early engine conversion and bringing them up to 2011 spec. Not to mention numerous trips to europe with like minded enthusisats all across Europe, Classic Le Mans, Spa, Nurburgring etc, etc.
It's a faithful friend and I've become very attached to it, although I did recently have a brief flirtation with Craig Winters beautiful 81 Porche SC, but decided that I'd miss the Elise too much. In fact my very understanding Co-pilot and wife, said that it was part of the family, so I couldn't sell it. I rather like the wolf in sheeps clothing aspect of the car, as the performance and noise are fantastic and it keeps up with very exiotic machinery.
For all its performance, I would have to admit that it's not quite like driving a standard car, which I would describe as being much "sweeter" to drive and more enjoyable at 5/10's. With the Nitron suspension, agressive geo and upgraded performance, it's not the kind of car I want to drive everyday, but get it on a country road, Alpine pass or race track, it comes alive!
The was completely rebuilt at the back end of 2010, via Back on Track in Guildford, who are a well known Lotus/VX specialist. I decided on a full colour change, from the rather boring titanium and settled for Le Mans Blue, which you see on the limited edition Exige S2. I basically wanted to go with a diferent factory colour.
The results are superb and the colour really does suit the car, well I like it anyway! Hope the uploads work and I'll provide a link to some vids. so you can listen to the old girl at full chat
http://youtu.be/ZWsz3OurTrU
http://youtu.be/Y-FPeKuf5Ps
http://youtu.be/yUR-t7UoqC4
I'll load some better pictures of the new paint scheme later
I've owned the car for some 5 years now, and I've spenmt a great deal on it and a great deal of time driving it! It started off as a Lotus press car in 1998 and was then left in a shed around Hethel for some time. Although manufactured in 1998, it was registered by its first owner in 2004!
He spent time taking on trackdays and upgraded the engine from a standard Rover K-series, to one with 170 bhp & throttle bodies. After a short period the engine either let go or he simply fancied something more reliable, so in went a very early Essex Autosport (nee'Sinclaires) Honda K20 engine, with very low miles.
Developing 197bhp at the wheels and weighing in at around 750kg, the power to weight ratio is rather good. Anyway, the owner decided to set up a chalet business in France and needed the capital, so along I came and bought it, with just 15k on the clock.
During this time I've spent a large sum of money, replacing parts of the early engine conversion and bringing them up to 2011 spec. Not to mention numerous trips to europe with like minded enthusisats all across Europe, Classic Le Mans, Spa, Nurburgring etc, etc.
It's a faithful friend and I've become very attached to it, although I did recently have a brief flirtation with Craig Winters beautiful 81 Porche SC, but decided that I'd miss the Elise too much. In fact my very understanding Co-pilot and wife, said that it was part of the family, so I couldn't sell it. I rather like the wolf in sheeps clothing aspect of the car, as the performance and noise are fantastic and it keeps up with very exiotic machinery.
For all its performance, I would have to admit that it's not quite like driving a standard car, which I would describe as being much "sweeter" to drive and more enjoyable at 5/10's. With the Nitron suspension, agressive geo and upgraded performance, it's not the kind of car I want to drive everyday, but get it on a country road, Alpine pass or race track, it comes alive!
The was completely rebuilt at the back end of 2010, via Back on Track in Guildford, who are a well known Lotus/VX specialist. I decided on a full colour change, from the rather boring titanium and settled for Le Mans Blue, which you see on the limited edition Exige S2. I basically wanted to go with a diferent factory colour.
The results are superb and the colour really does suit the car, well I like it anyway! Hope the uploads work and I'll provide a link to some vids. so you can listen to the old girl at full chat
http://youtu.be/ZWsz3OurTrU
http://youtu.be/Y-FPeKuf5Ps
http://youtu.be/yUR-t7UoqC4
I'll load some better pictures of the new paint scheme later
Edited by 4pot on Thursday 5th January 13:34
Thanks for the feedback chaps. It's a lot of fun to drive and I expect that any who have experienced a Honda in the Vtec zone, you'll know why this conversion is rather popular in Lotus circles. Although there are some supercharged Honda cars running over 300bhp, Audi powered cars running upwards of 270bhp (huge torque! of around 280lbs+) and some Ford 2.0 (180bhp) & 2.3 (200bhp)litre cars, which use the same driveshafts, gearbox etc.
DanDC5, I can gather why you might want to get your hands on one of these. I'm due to have the chain tensioner changed to a Toda one in teh next couple of weeks.The cars mileage 82k, so the unit has done some 75k, with oil changes every 3k, using Silkolene ProR.
Sato, Looking at your prfile picture, I assume you're local? Are you a member of SELOC?
GTAsmallville, I've had a long line of cars, E30 M3's, DC2 Integra, Clio Cups etc, but I've owned Lotuses for over 8 years now, and this car owned for the longest of any car. They're huge fun!
Anyway, I'll provide some more pictures of the car later and perhaps some more details of our adventures together!
DanDC5, I can gather why you might want to get your hands on one of these. I'm due to have the chain tensioner changed to a Toda one in teh next couple of weeks.The cars mileage 82k, so the unit has done some 75k, with oil changes every 3k, using Silkolene ProR.
Sato, Looking at your prfile picture, I assume you're local? Are you a member of SELOC?
GTAsmallville, I've had a long line of cars, E30 M3's, DC2 Integra, Clio Cups etc, but I've owned Lotuses for over 8 years now, and this car owned for the longest of any car. They're huge fun!
Anyway, I'll provide some more pictures of the car later and perhaps some more details of our adventures together!
Edited by 4pot on Thursday 5th January 16:37
Fantastic Elise- good man. Loving the new paintjob. Really like the Exige Cup's from which you got the inspiration. Good to see one fully used and abused and loved. I have used the guys at Back On Track for my VX220 Turbo over the last few years and I could not recommend Stef and the guys highly enough - very friendly, knowledgeable, and reasonably priced. I looked at Elise's when I bought my VX about 3 years ago but chose the VXT due to the power/value. IN the last few years there seems to be a lot more Honda and VAG conversions in the Lotuses. My VXT is in the garage today after being in storage for 6 months as I am about to put it up for sale - needless to say watching your vids is making me want to change my mind
Keep on enjoying it.
Keep on enjoying it.
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