RE: simonelite501's Lotus Elite 501

[tom]

Cheer up, one day you'll look back on the gbox, front wheel incedent and electrical niggles and think how lucky you were then Keep up the reports, they cheer me up to see I am not the only person mad enough to think a 30 year old GF car is going to be reliable with Lucas electrics....
Tom (1971 Scimitar GTE)

[simonelite501]

Thanks for the moral support, the latest news from the front is that the elusive gearbox parts have been located, checked, fitted and dispatched. A phone call to the gearbox re-fitters in Bristol this morning, comfirmed that the said parts have arrivedand are being fitted as I write. The estimate of "Thursday" turned out to be wildly inaccurate, still, either later today or Monday the car will be back on the road

[simonelite501]

Me and my big mouth! Just arrived home from the local multiplex, Return to Neverland, not brilliant but there again I'm no longer 5, physicaly anyway. Of course being a model citizen, I turned the mobile off for the duration of the performance. On my arrival back at home, I found there had been a message left on the answer phone. Could I call the gearbox repairers before they went home at 4pm. Looked at my watch, 4.10pm, bugger! I have no idea why I need to call, I'm just praying all's well and they just want to tell me when to pick the car up and how much cash to bring, but I have a nasty, niggling thought in the back of my head, that if that was the case the man's voice would have sounded more positive. I now have to worry all weekend. Bugger,Bugger,Bugger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lawrence1]

Hey Simon, Did you know that the Lotus Gearbox had Austin Maxi internals ???
Just in case you didnt ......

[simonelite501]

Yes, I did know about the gearbox. You would be suprised at who's parts bins were raided by Mr Chapman and the guys at Hethel. I am compiling a list of interchangable parts if anyone is interested, mostly for the Elite (Type 75), and I would be interested to hear from anyone with parts to add. If you take a look at my Elite page you'll see that it's up and running again,(How long for is anyone's guess!). We are off to the Club Lotus bash at Donnington this weekend,(Saturday) maybe see you all there!

>> Edited by simonelite501 on Monday 29th April 19:35

[clanger]

Simon

Owned 12 Lotus cars to date inc S1, S2 & S3 (Turbo Esprit) but never had courage to own 501 - too many bad news stories - always hankered after one tho' - I think they look the biz - all the best in keepin it on the road!!!

Cheers Simon

[Simonelite501]

Lifes too short not to, so buy mine, I've just arrived home after having a recon engine fitted, SO! much better,such a great car its a shame it has to go.

[levensnevel]

Simon,

Sad to see that you have parted from your Elite.
But I anxiously await your continueing Dutton Pheaton tells and tales.

Levensnevel