Couple of months back, NZ Autocar mag took my car to test for a feature in their rag. It’s just been published in the Feb issue so for those of you who are unable to get the NZ Autocar mag (ie. Most of you!) Then I’ve uploaded the article for your viewing pleasure.
Click the image below for full size (Large file)
They got a few facts and things wrong, but on the whole the article wasn’t too bad I thought
The article might seem a bit simplistic, but you have to remember that Lotus never had an official dealer in NZ the entire time the Elise S1 was in production… hence most of the mags here have only ever gotten their hands on the new models of the time, those being various Elise/Exige S2 variants, which as we all know, are rather less “raw” than the S1s… as such, it’s a little bit of a novelty for them I guess to test something from a few years back that’s never really been here… Kyle did seem to like it though… while he bemoaned the harsh nature, he reckoned that as a toy and a weapon for going fast (in the dry at least) there was NOTHING he’d driven as a Journo that’d keep with it when pedalled well… which has certainly been my experience.
Good little article George. Glad you took the plunge cos there was no way i was letting a journo rag my pride and joy after bringing it this far.
all you need to do now is save the dollars and get a new clutch.
Good little article George. Glad you took the plunge cos there was no way i was letting a journo rag my pride and joy after bringing it this far.
all you need to do now is save the dollars and get a new clutch.
Heh… I trust them, and down here htey tend to be a little respectful of rare/valuable cars.
New clutch is on the way and should be here in a week or so, have gone for the mildly uprated AP jobbie as I’ve heard it’s more than up to the VHPD abuse, a step ahead of the OEM one and not some hideously undriveable race-style clutch that’ll wear out in 10 mins.
Will be getting this fitted along with a bunch of stuff in early-mid Feb, including a new cambelt as a precaution after my little front-pulley incident I had. Basically it’ll get a “c-service” plus clutch, and that’ll hopefully see me out the rest of summer Then the big winter restoration/refresh begins!
Sadly didn’t get to the A1, had to work through the weekend. Haven’t seen Clive yet either. HOPEFULLY getting Friday off to visit Taupo for a trackday down there. Richard’s going so hopefully he’ll be bringing the Father out-law with him. Pax are allowed so god willing I’ll be allowed to take Clive for a spin like I did last time he was here when he pax’d with me in the Elise
IF I get there… working 14 hourday tomorrow to ty to meet deadline… hoping I can get enough done to satisfy myself (and theboss) that I deserve a day off! Taupo weather forecast looking good so I’m gonna try… Rear A048s are just about bald so will try to give them a good sendoff before my new ones get here in Feb (half price new A048s!!! WOHOO )
IF I get there… working 14 hourday tomorrow to ty to meet deadline… hoping I can get enough done to satisfy myself (and theboss) that I deserve a day off! Taupo weather forecast looking good so I’m gonna try… Rear A048s are just about bald so will try to give them a good sendoff before my new ones get here in Feb (half price new A048s!!! WOHOO )
Didn’t know about the track day George. Who was it with? As for the huskies Rob sadly i lost my boy just before Xmas to a cruel condition where i had to make the hardest decision of my life. jo and i both soldier on despite the upset.
Didn’t know about the track day George. Who was it with? As for the huskies Rob sadly i lost my boy just before Xmas to a cruel condition where i had to make the hardest decision of my life. jo and i both soldier on despite the upset.
Jez, if you’re keen, there’ll be a spot or two free… Get in touch with Mr Gee, he’s heading down in the morning… if you’ve got nothing better to do, follow him down and take my place on the day, Ben would love to have an Exige there
Didn’t know about the track day George. Who was it with? As for the huskies Rob sadly i lost my boy just before Xmas to a cruel condition where i had to make the hardest decision of my life. jo and i both soldier on despite the upset.
Very sorry to hear this news Jez & Jo, I know how hard this will have hit you.
I’ll happy to send Pesky Minor over this year to see you - he’s driving me nuts, since he passed his driving test a month after his 17th birthday However, you’ll be pleased to know he’s done his first trackday (Oulton) in one of Unkle Russ’s Elises
I didn’t say he was any good, just that he’d done a trackday
Seriously though, considering he’d only driven a Micra (to pass his test) & my Pug 107, he did very well. Howard Hunt was the instructor, who was out with him each session, & he helped the lad tremendously
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