Hello, my name is Klaus and I’m from Germany. I’m registered at exiges.com for some time already but did never manage to introduce myself.
I’m interested in Lotus cars since a long time and started my career with a Europa S1 restoration project which was a tough one.
Currently I’m driving an Elise S2 111S and added an Exige S1 last year. I’m a fan of closed sports cars and the hardtop of my Elise never comes off even on the hottest summer days.
So looking for the Elise-platform based coupe was the logical step. Although I like the shape of the Toyota powered Exige S2 I prefer the earlier, lighter, original Rover powered S1.
And I like cars where their owners tend to talk about chassis numbers
I bought my Chrome Orange S1 #467 from Marten who started a kind of restoration/de-trackify project but decided to part with it.
It was acquired by him via exiges.com in 2014 from user Gulfb. The car has seen heavy track usage in its early life and needs some work.
I’m glad that the car is still with its VHPD engine.
The two pictures show the car on arrival at my garage.
Great stuff, welcome along. Keep,us up to date with progress and add plenty of pics. We like pics, as you will doubtless discover.
Where in Germany are you?
Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m located near Cologne in Germany not too far from the Nürburgring (80km) and Spa (100km).
My car and yours jonnyfox could really be twins. Your restoration thread is really interesting and full of valuable details. Marten has started to remove AC system like you did.
So I’ll have to complete this work and install a non-AC dashboard and and heater system. The wiring loom has been heavily modified by the PO for track usage too but Marten put a NOS non-AC loom with the car which just needs to be installed.
Since I’ve never driven my car yet I’m planing to get it as quickly as possible on the road and then switch to a rolling restoration mode. At least this is the plan
But I’m always in danger to slip into a full ‘jonnyfox-style-nut-and-bolt’ restoration project. While stripping the interior I fixed the footwell corrosion (POR15, etc.), overhauled the pedals with new bushes from igus, upgraded the throttle cable, etc.
And once the the seats were out of the car they could do with a fresh up. Doing so I discovered that at least the driver seat belt shows signs of wear. Does anybody know where I can get a new Schroth ASM belt but including the ‘Safety Devices’ badge?
I’ve contacted Safety Devices but they do not deliver Schroth belts any more. Can I just remove the existing badge from the old belt and sew it to a new one?
I’ve also opened a photobucket account to deliver some pics:
Benja, thanks for the invitation. Visiting Spa is always a good idea. But, to be honest, I never had a track day and I won’t do my first one in Spa.
What do you think: will it be possible to enter the inner race track area by car as a visitor only?
Let’s see if I get the car on the street up to this date. I’d like to but it will be tough.
Yes you can and it would be great to meet you. Being part of exiges.com isn’t just about track driving, come say hi it’s as much about friendship than anything else
it’s nice to see you on the board, good luck with finishing and improving the car, i sort of started with
Maybe i can persuade you to come to Spa so we can have a test drive in the V6
Velkomen. ( I think thats how you spell it)
During your restoration pay special attention to corrosion as Mr Lotus did very corrosion protection even in the most obvious places…check everywhere that moisture can lodge as it will have done and the dreded C word will have started.
Good luck and keep us posted on progress.
Thanks for the (probably norwegian?) welcome, Mr. Bean. The corrosion on my car is not too bad.
Up to now I only found the typical footwell corrosion which I fixed. A reason could be that the car has been used mainly on track where there is no salt.
Hi Marten, nice to meet you here. You’re car has finally come to the right place .
I’d like to go to Spa but I’m afraid the Exige won’t be ready up to this date.
Maybe I go with my Elise once I fixed what looks like a beginning head gasket failure.
