Which classic?
Discussion
I know this is an Elise/Exige forum, but the other day at Hethel got me thinking ... if you could have any classic Lotus which would you have? Mine's an S1 Esprit, white with cream interior, like this one:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lotus-esprit-s1/394...
Saw one like this in the car park at the open day - gorgeous.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lotus-esprit-s1/394...
Saw one like this in the car park at the open day - gorgeous.
Interesting how some cars become 'classics' i.e. keep or increase their value like the original Elites and 60s Elans, but others don't and are now worth hardly anything, like 70s/80s Elites/Eclats. Also some particular models become sought after whilst others are not. Surprised how cheap some of those early Esprits are now, although I know that getting one of those is like wanding into a minefield blindfold...
Marvindodgers said:
nononono!! That's grossly over-priced for a fake Sprint running Stromberg carburettors!kambites said:
Original (type-14?) Elite for me I think. Or maybe a Type-49 as a track car 
It is funny that this topic arrives now as I was thinking the same last week when I asked the price of this '67 type 49 (www.vdvgrant.be)I emailed the dealer..........price is 150.000 euros.
I keep my elise.
FYI, I had a '88 esprit before to take the elise and let me tell you that build quality of Lotus cars before the '90 was very, very ...poor.
I understand the motivation with such a nice brand to look for a classic but I have seen a lot of money spended and still the value of the car was going down.
kambites said:
...Besides, they look far better in lime green over white
#Agreed. Lime green (the actual colour is called 'Pistachio') over white looks great on the Sprint. Would have been my first choice, if I could have found a mint condition FHC Sprint in those colours, but the only one I came across in decent condition had been fitted with a sunroof, which I didn't like.
bher said:
...let me tell you that the build quality of Lotus cars before the '90 was very, very ...poor.
I have to say that is quite correct. And the further you go back, the worse the build quality is. The '60's Elan is one of the nicest sports cars to drive ever (better even than the Elise, IMO), but it's a constant labour of love keeping the things running reliably. It can be done, but don't expect to just lock it away in the garage between runs with no care and attention. I'd love a Type 14 Elite or a 'Le Mans' Eleven, but I can't really justfy the cost on something that would be so time consuming to maintain and see such limited use.
Type 14 for me without a doubt... in either Lotus Yellow (like my father's old one) or the Metallic grey two-tone like the original show-car was... gorgeous, unique and a real piece of history 
Shame he sold it in the early '70s 
(picture's just the best I could find)
Although slightly O/T I've already got my non-Lotus classic sorted... in my legacy, my father's E-type Jag.
And as-seen at the LoT tour of NZ trackday at Manfeild (going fast, sideways and generally being driven as it should be!)
Shame he sold it in the early '70s (picture's just the best I could find)Although slightly O/T I've already got my non-Lotus classic sorted... in my legacy, my father's E-type Jag.
And as-seen at the LoT tour of NZ trackday at Manfeild (going fast, sideways and generally being driven as it should be!)
Edited by Esprit on Tuesday 25th September 13:58
L100NYY said:
Would have to be one of these
Yeah I love those Elevens as well - shame there wasn't one there at Hethel on Sunday. Wonder how much one of those would set you back? There is always the Westfield version (now back in production I believe) but that's not really a 'classic'. Fifth gear did a piece on it:http://uk.video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=108695276...
Some design similarities between the original Eleven and the 2-Eleven I reckon, must be deliberate.
I agree with L100NNY's choices, Thing is I have owned some of them.
If I knew how to upload pics to here then I would show them. Amongst the Lotus badged and engined cars I have had are:
Mk 1 Lotus Cortina, sold for £310.00 !!!!
Mk 2 Cortina Lotus.
Escort Twin Cam.
1983 Sunbeam Lotus (Last but one ever registered) in Moonstone with Silver Stripes.
At the present I have a 1969 Elan +2 and a 1999 S1 Elise.
Always wanted a Europa Twin Cam, Still time.
Amongst these I have also had Mexico's, Cortina GT's, 1600E and A 2 Door Uren Savage Cortina, which was a pig in the wet!
If I knew how to upload pics to here then I would show them. Amongst the Lotus badged and engined cars I have had are:
Mk 1 Lotus Cortina, sold for £310.00 !!!!
Mk 2 Cortina Lotus.
Escort Twin Cam.
1983 Sunbeam Lotus (Last but one ever registered) in Moonstone with Silver Stripes.
At the present I have a 1969 Elan +2 and a 1999 S1 Elise.
Always wanted a Europa Twin Cam, Still time.
Amongst these I have also had Mexico's, Cortina GT's, 1600E and A 2 Door Uren Savage Cortina, which was a pig in the wet!
It's back to the 60s for me.
First up, the 1967 Lotus 49B Formula One car:
Secondly, the Lotus Elan, still hailed as one of the world's finest handling cars all these years later and it's tiny, which is great!
Probably the two most unsafe cars in history as well though...
First up, the 1967 Lotus 49B Formula One car:
Secondly, the Lotus Elan, still hailed as one of the world's finest handling cars all these years later and it's tiny, which is great!
Probably the two most unsafe cars in history as well though...
Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 26th September 09:37
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