Club Lotus Mag
Discussion
Anybody had this quarters Club Lotus Mag? Got mine yesterday. Esprit's on the front and a tribute inside.
What a load of rubbish.
The Esprit is given only one full page of poorly composed ext. The article flows the concept upto the S2. Then that's it. A few other bits here and there. But more about the Elise as usual.
You would have thought Club Lotus could have give up most of the mag considering the Esprits History and the fact it's topping production. Let's hope when the last Esprit rolls off he line. They'll put a little more effort in. If they don't, they won't be getting my membership next year.
Long Live the Esprit
Kato
www.lotusespritworld.co.uk
>>> Edited by katolotus on Tuesday 4th February 14:48
What a load of rubbish.
The Esprit is given only one full page of poorly composed ext. The article flows the concept upto the S2. Then that's it. A few other bits here and there. But more about the Elise as usual.
You would have thought Club Lotus could have give up most of the mag considering the Esprits History and the fact it's topping production. Let's hope when the last Esprit rolls off he line. They'll put a little more effort in. If they don't, they won't be getting my membership next year.
Long Live the Esprit
Kato
www.lotusespritworld.co.uk
>>> Edited by katolotus on Tuesday 4th February 14:48
This is a copy of the email I've sent to Club HQ. What do you all think?
kato
Mr Arnold,
As a Club Lotus member (on two occasions) since 1997, I have received many club magazines over the years and wasn't happy to see a Vauxhall on the front of the last magazine. I know you've let VX owners join (which I see as pointless), but putting a Vauxhall on the Cover of Club Lotus just isn't on. I know Lotus builds the VX, as I have visited the production line. But that doesn't make it a lotus. Will you be offering the Club open to Proton owners, as this seems to be the direction the Club is going.
This isn't the main point of my email. I have just received my latest copy of the Club Magazine. On seeing the cover I was looking forward to reading all about the Esprit, the backbone of Lotus over the last 30 years. With production coming to any end, its time to celebrate the Esprit as it passes into history.
Looking closely at the cover, the first signs that all was not well was the title hidden at the bottom left ''THE ESPRIT IS DEAD - WHAT NEXT?''. It should have read ''THE ESPRIT IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE ESPRIT'' at worst. Now is not the time to ask what's next. The last Esprit hasn't even rolled of the production line yet! Now is the time to celebrate the long history of the Esprit. Thing got worse as I opened the magazine.
First 3 pages full of ads, then a large picture of a racing Elise. Then your Editorial which again seems to focus on what's next. The Kings doctor may have been called, and the King maybe dying, but he's not dead yet. Although you seem to be hovering with a pillow to smother what life's left and waiting to find somebody for that new haircut and suit fitting.
As for the death of the Esprit, it has never sold in volume, and was eventually killed off by US legislation as the V8 will not meet the spec for 2004, nor will the windscreen and roof. Added to the fact of a lack of transaxles and the cost needed to source and fit a newly designed one. The Esprit has become uneconomical which signaled the end. As for the V8 engine, I doubt it's much use as a new car engine due to legislation and the cost involved counts it out for any other purposes.
Page 6 has a large Elan article and a strange picture and Text about waving goodbye to the Esprit. Surely this space could have been used more wisely and still incorporating this item, albeit a lot smaller.
Ads on pages 7 and 8. A Grand Prix item on page 9, which I'm sure could have been put back until the next issue considering the F1 season doesn't start until March. Classified on Page 10 (also pg14, 39, 43 and 44). An aircraft item along with some Lotus content on page 11.
More ads on pages 12 and 13. An Esprit Prototype on page 14, but with no real information on it. That takes us to page 16. At last some real Esprit content. Finished making my dinner and sat down to read while eating. Looking forward to reading it while enjoy my dinner. Yet another bad start. ''What a shame there is no M250 as a successor'' Nice way to start a tribute to the Esprit. What is wrong with you? Who mentions the Kings younger dead brother at the beginning of a tribute to the 'not quite dead yet' King. Looks like Club Lotus does!
The rest of the item is disjointed, with some details of the birth of the Esprit, followed by a slagging off of the S1 and the equally hard comments of the S2. I have no doubt of the problems the Esprit suffer in the early days, but a tribute this is not. You even managed to get an ad on the page for the track day. The page ends with a sales slum of the S2. The next page is full of Ads (surprise). Expecting to carry on reading about the Esprit on page 18, all I come across is some articles about advertising with a picture of the 'Bond Esprit'. Including a piece on the Autocar Article which is more than well covered on page 20.
Page 19 is about Elise Racing and Ads (again). Page 20 as mention above is all about the Elise's new engine. A full page, no ads, either commercial or club. Surely this is the coverage the Esprit should expect after 30 years service.
Your increased colour selection follows;
Page 21: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 22: Full Colour Advert
Page 23: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 24: Full Colour Advert
Page 25: Full Colour Advert
Page 26: 'In Memory Lotus Esprit' including an add for the still contentless Team Esprit along with two colour adverts at the bottom.
Page 27: Scottish Weekend and Stoneleigh Winners (no Adverts, no Esprits).
Page 28: Full Colour Advert
Page 29: Full Colour Advert
Page 30: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 31: Full Colour Advert
Page 32: Parts Fair with Black & White pictures????? What is wrong with you. A colour page with no adverts and you print the pictures in Black and White.
What a great colour section. Out of the 8 outer colour pages only one (the front cover) isn't an advert. Out of the 12 page colour section in the centre all but 3 are adverts. I'm so glad that the magazine is getting more and more colour in it. Well worth it (for the advertisers).
Onwards and downwards. Page 33 is all about Elise's, Page 34 is Bits & Pieces, Page 35 covers this years Donington (which I don't know why you want to hold in March when it's raining all day, May is a much better date for owner, but obviously not advertisers), And a advert for an Elise book.
Page 36 is another full of adverts. Page 37 has a few articles I'm sure some are interested in. Page 38 is a full page of your own adverts, which I sure could be smaller. Page 39 is more classified adverts (which I'm sure everybody uses at sometime).
Pages 40 & 41 are half page adverts. Page 42 is for Europa's, but then they don't make that any more, so it should have the same space as the Esprit (Not now, surely). Classified on Pages 43 &44. Pages 45 &46 are full of Adverts. Page 47 is again about Racing Elises, along with an advert for the team. Page 48 has a couple of letters and a Quiz that takes up a third of the page. Is there a point to this Quiz? Does it need to be so big?
Pages 49, 50, 51 & 52 (all colour) are more Adverts.
So out of 52 pages there's only 19 pages of content, with most of those featuring Adverts. I fully understand the need for advertising and that it does come in handy for most people at one point or another. But Club Lotus is becoming a magazine full of Adverts and no content. The content that does make it between the adverts is of poor content and is poorly written. If you insist of so many adverts, then increase the size of the magazine.
As for the Esprit content, which is never particularly good, I can't believe that Club Lotus have made such a mess of covering the end of its production. A disgrace to a great car, and one which Colin Chapman was heavily involved in. I'm sure he's turning in this grave (which I must admit, he must do a lot of).
The excuse of not knowing early enough isn't good enough either. Esprit production has been rumored to be coming to an end since early last year when the 02' was release with rumors of only 50 being made. The Esprit has been rumored to be near it's end for years, so the club should have had plenty of time to sort out a fitting tribute. Maybe you should start the Elise one now!
I have talked to a few Club Lotus members today and they have said the same, if things don't improve quickly, they will not be renewing their membership, as it's not worth even paying for. Team Esprit may be your last chance to stop the club from losing it's Esprit membership. But that task is going to be difficult with Esprit Websites already covering most Esprit needs (which if you'd have contacted, I'm sure could have given you an article good enough for the Esprit. Along with some better pictures and I'm sure you could have offered some advertising space for there trouble).
I'm looking forward to your reply to this long email. Maybe my membership isn't important to the Club as 1 in 10,000 isn't much. But I speak for many more in hoping the club will improve before it loses many members. With the Web and Email growing faster and faster, the Club magazine needs to keep up or it will die. And then maybe you'll receive the same respect the Esprit has been given as it's life draws to a close.
A concern member
Mr I D Peters
10,000 members x £25 = £250,000 = Adverts
kato
Mr Arnold,
As a Club Lotus member (on two occasions) since 1997, I have received many club magazines over the years and wasn't happy to see a Vauxhall on the front of the last magazine. I know you've let VX owners join (which I see as pointless), but putting a Vauxhall on the Cover of Club Lotus just isn't on. I know Lotus builds the VX, as I have visited the production line. But that doesn't make it a lotus. Will you be offering the Club open to Proton owners, as this seems to be the direction the Club is going.
This isn't the main point of my email. I have just received my latest copy of the Club Magazine. On seeing the cover I was looking forward to reading all about the Esprit, the backbone of Lotus over the last 30 years. With production coming to any end, its time to celebrate the Esprit as it passes into history.
Looking closely at the cover, the first signs that all was not well was the title hidden at the bottom left ''THE ESPRIT IS DEAD - WHAT NEXT?''. It should have read ''THE ESPRIT IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE ESPRIT'' at worst. Now is not the time to ask what's next. The last Esprit hasn't even rolled of the production line yet! Now is the time to celebrate the long history of the Esprit. Thing got worse as I opened the magazine.
First 3 pages full of ads, then a large picture of a racing Elise. Then your Editorial which again seems to focus on what's next. The Kings doctor may have been called, and the King maybe dying, but he's not dead yet. Although you seem to be hovering with a pillow to smother what life's left and waiting to find somebody for that new haircut and suit fitting.
As for the death of the Esprit, it has never sold in volume, and was eventually killed off by US legislation as the V8 will not meet the spec for 2004, nor will the windscreen and roof. Added to the fact of a lack of transaxles and the cost needed to source and fit a newly designed one. The Esprit has become uneconomical which signaled the end. As for the V8 engine, I doubt it's much use as a new car engine due to legislation and the cost involved counts it out for any other purposes.
Page 6 has a large Elan article and a strange picture and Text about waving goodbye to the Esprit. Surely this space could have been used more wisely and still incorporating this item, albeit a lot smaller.
Ads on pages 7 and 8. A Grand Prix item on page 9, which I'm sure could have been put back until the next issue considering the F1 season doesn't start until March. Classified on Page 10 (also pg14, 39, 43 and 44). An aircraft item along with some Lotus content on page 11.
More ads on pages 12 and 13. An Esprit Prototype on page 14, but with no real information on it. That takes us to page 16. At last some real Esprit content. Finished making my dinner and sat down to read while eating. Looking forward to reading it while enjoy my dinner. Yet another bad start. ''What a shame there is no M250 as a successor'' Nice way to start a tribute to the Esprit. What is wrong with you? Who mentions the Kings younger dead brother at the beginning of a tribute to the 'not quite dead yet' King. Looks like Club Lotus does!
The rest of the item is disjointed, with some details of the birth of the Esprit, followed by a slagging off of the S1 and the equally hard comments of the S2. I have no doubt of the problems the Esprit suffer in the early days, but a tribute this is not. You even managed to get an ad on the page for the track day. The page ends with a sales slum of the S2. The next page is full of Ads (surprise). Expecting to carry on reading about the Esprit on page 18, all I come across is some articles about advertising with a picture of the 'Bond Esprit'. Including a piece on the Autocar Article which is more than well covered on page 20.
Page 19 is about Elise Racing and Ads (again). Page 20 as mention above is all about the Elise's new engine. A full page, no ads, either commercial or club. Surely this is the coverage the Esprit should expect after 30 years service.
Your increased colour selection follows;
Page 21: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 22: Full Colour Advert
Page 23: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 24: Full Colour Advert
Page 25: Full Colour Advert
Page 26: 'In Memory Lotus Esprit' including an add for the still contentless Team Esprit along with two colour adverts at the bottom.
Page 27: Scottish Weekend and Stoneleigh Winners (no Adverts, no Esprits).
Page 28: Full Colour Advert
Page 29: Full Colour Advert
Page 30: Full of Colour Adverts
Page 31: Full Colour Advert
Page 32: Parts Fair with Black & White pictures????? What is wrong with you. A colour page with no adverts and you print the pictures in Black and White.
What a great colour section. Out of the 8 outer colour pages only one (the front cover) isn't an advert. Out of the 12 page colour section in the centre all but 3 are adverts. I'm so glad that the magazine is getting more and more colour in it. Well worth it (for the advertisers).
Onwards and downwards. Page 33 is all about Elise's, Page 34 is Bits & Pieces, Page 35 covers this years Donington (which I don't know why you want to hold in March when it's raining all day, May is a much better date for owner, but obviously not advertisers), And a advert for an Elise book.
Page 36 is another full of adverts. Page 37 has a few articles I'm sure some are interested in. Page 38 is a full page of your own adverts, which I sure could be smaller. Page 39 is more classified adverts (which I'm sure everybody uses at sometime).
Pages 40 & 41 are half page adverts. Page 42 is for Europa's, but then they don't make that any more, so it should have the same space as the Esprit (Not now, surely). Classified on Pages 43 &44. Pages 45 &46 are full of Adverts. Page 47 is again about Racing Elises, along with an advert for the team. Page 48 has a couple of letters and a Quiz that takes up a third of the page. Is there a point to this Quiz? Does it need to be so big?
Pages 49, 50, 51 & 52 (all colour) are more Adverts.
So out of 52 pages there's only 19 pages of content, with most of those featuring Adverts. I fully understand the need for advertising and that it does come in handy for most people at one point or another. But Club Lotus is becoming a magazine full of Adverts and no content. The content that does make it between the adverts is of poor content and is poorly written. If you insist of so many adverts, then increase the size of the magazine.
As for the Esprit content, which is never particularly good, I can't believe that Club Lotus have made such a mess of covering the end of its production. A disgrace to a great car, and one which Colin Chapman was heavily involved in. I'm sure he's turning in this grave (which I must admit, he must do a lot of).
The excuse of not knowing early enough isn't good enough either. Esprit production has been rumored to be coming to an end since early last year when the 02' was release with rumors of only 50 being made. The Esprit has been rumored to be near it's end for years, so the club should have had plenty of time to sort out a fitting tribute. Maybe you should start the Elise one now!
I have talked to a few Club Lotus members today and they have said the same, if things don't improve quickly, they will not be renewing their membership, as it's not worth even paying for. Team Esprit may be your last chance to stop the club from losing it's Esprit membership. But that task is going to be difficult with Esprit Websites already covering most Esprit needs (which if you'd have contacted, I'm sure could have given you an article good enough for the Esprit. Along with some better pictures and I'm sure you could have offered some advertising space for there trouble).
I'm looking forward to your reply to this long email. Maybe my membership isn't important to the Club as 1 in 10,000 isn't much. But I speak for many more in hoping the club will improve before it loses many members. With the Web and Email growing faster and faster, the Club magazine needs to keep up or it will die. And then maybe you'll receive the same respect the Esprit has been given as it's life draws to a close.
A concern member
Mr I D Peters
10,000 members x £25 = £250,000 = Adverts
I agree 100% with Kato. Here's the email I sent them, I can't wait for their reply.
Adrian
---------------------------------------------------
Subject : Club Magazine Content
Dear Mr Arnold
I have been a Lotus owner and a member of Club Lotus for around 7 years but over the last few issues of the Club magazine it has deteriorated into nothing more than pages and pages of adverts. The latest offering ( Issue 1, 2003 ), runs as follows :
Page 1 – Front Cover
Page 2- Advert
Page 3 – Advert
Page 4 – Advert
Page 5 – Editorial Page
Page 6 – Elan article
Page 7 – Adverts
Page 8 – Advert
Page 9 – F1 article
Page 10 – Classifieds
Page 11 – Salon article
Page 12 – Advert
Page 13 – Advert
Page 14 – Classifieds
Page 15 – Texaco Race Cars article
Page 16 - Esprit article
Page 17 – Adverts
Page 18 – Sales drive article
Page 19 – New Team Article
Page 20 – Article, most of the page is a reprint from Autocar
Page 21 – Adverts
Page 22 – Adverts
Page 23 – Adverts
Page 24 – Adverts
Page 25 – Adverts
Page 26 – Esprit pictures
Page 27 - Scottish weekend pictures
Page 28 – Advert
Page 29 – Advert
Page 30 – Advert
Page 31 – Advert
Page 32 – Parts Fair
Page 33 – Competition
Page 34 – Bits & Pieces
Page 35 – Donington
Page 36 – Adverts
Page 37 – Miscellany
Page 38 – Adverts for Club Lotus Events
Page 39 – Classified
Page 40 – Adverts
Page 41 – Adverts
Page 42 – Banks Europa
Page 43 – Classified
Page 44 – Classified
Page 45 – Adverts
Page 46 – Adverts
Page 47 – Sport Championship 2002
Page 48 – The one that got away
Page 49 – Advert
Page 50 – Advert
Page 51 – Advert
Page 52 – Advert
So, in total, out of 52 pages, there are only actually 19 pages that are not advertisements. That means that only 37% of the magazine contains non advertising material.
I used to look forward to receiving my Club Magazine but now it’s hardly worthwhile, it’s just pages and pages of adverts and many of the articles contain little Lotus news and content.
To conclude, I can only say that if the content of your magazine does not substantially improve over the next couple of issues, I will be forced to cancel my subscrption. I also feel that given 10,000 subscrptions at £25 a time, giving you £250,000 income a year, you can produce something more worthwhile.
I look forward to hearing any comments on the above points you may have.
Yours sincerely
Adrian Mugridge
Membership Number : 17529
Adrian
---------------------------------------------------
Subject : Club Magazine Content
Dear Mr Arnold
I have been a Lotus owner and a member of Club Lotus for around 7 years but over the last few issues of the Club magazine it has deteriorated into nothing more than pages and pages of adverts. The latest offering ( Issue 1, 2003 ), runs as follows :
Page 1 – Front Cover
Page 2- Advert
Page 3 – Advert
Page 4 – Advert
Page 5 – Editorial Page
Page 6 – Elan article
Page 7 – Adverts
Page 8 – Advert
Page 9 – F1 article
Page 10 – Classifieds
Page 11 – Salon article
Page 12 – Advert
Page 13 – Advert
Page 14 – Classifieds
Page 15 – Texaco Race Cars article
Page 16 - Esprit article
Page 17 – Adverts
Page 18 – Sales drive article
Page 19 – New Team Article
Page 20 – Article, most of the page is a reprint from Autocar
Page 21 – Adverts
Page 22 – Adverts
Page 23 – Adverts
Page 24 – Adverts
Page 25 – Adverts
Page 26 – Esprit pictures
Page 27 - Scottish weekend pictures
Page 28 – Advert
Page 29 – Advert
Page 30 – Advert
Page 31 – Advert
Page 32 – Parts Fair
Page 33 – Competition
Page 34 – Bits & Pieces
Page 35 – Donington
Page 36 – Adverts
Page 37 – Miscellany
Page 38 – Adverts for Club Lotus Events
Page 39 – Classified
Page 40 – Adverts
Page 41 – Adverts
Page 42 – Banks Europa
Page 43 – Classified
Page 44 – Classified
Page 45 – Adverts
Page 46 – Adverts
Page 47 – Sport Championship 2002
Page 48 – The one that got away
Page 49 – Advert
Page 50 – Advert
Page 51 – Advert
Page 52 – Advert
So, in total, out of 52 pages, there are only actually 19 pages that are not advertisements. That means that only 37% of the magazine contains non advertising material.
I used to look forward to receiving my Club Magazine but now it’s hardly worthwhile, it’s just pages and pages of adverts and many of the articles contain little Lotus news and content.
To conclude, I can only say that if the content of your magazine does not substantially improve over the next couple of issues, I will be forced to cancel my subscrption. I also feel that given 10,000 subscrptions at £25 a time, giving you £250,000 income a year, you can produce something more worthwhile.
I look forward to hearing any comments on the above points you may have.
Yours sincerely
Adrian Mugridge
Membership Number : 17529
adrianmugridge said: How much ???!!!!???? That's about £60, or nearly £10 extra *per issue* to post it to the US. That's outrageous.
Yeah its alot of money, but I wanted good information. They dont offer anything worthwhile in the states. If they do I dont know about it. So I went straight to the source.
Hi,
I cannot speak directly to the issue of Club Lotus' Mag, but I believe that there is a skism in the Lotus ranks between pre-Esprit model owners and Esprit owners. This may be manifest in the lack of respect accorded the Esprit in this publication.
It's almost imperceptible, but it's as if the Esprit is not considered a 'true' Lotus by some. There is some merit to this line of thought.
All previous Lotus models were much smaller, less powered and arguably more hard scrabble than the Esprit. Additionally, all previous models were much more involved in racing than the Esprit has ever been.
To many, the Esprit is an Audacious, Fat,
'Boulevard Cruiser' by comparison, and a heresy from the original concepts of Lotus, which was small, light, giving it the ability to go like stink, normally aspirated street racer. Many percieve the Esprit as a kinda 'Gold Chain Guy's' car.
We all, of course, believe otherwise, but I'm afraid that the perception lingers and is very real. There are many Elite, Elan, Seven and Europa owners who may even be content to see the Esprit line being dropped, but who favor the Elise in droves. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE.
I cannot speak directly to the issue of Club Lotus' Mag, but I believe that there is a skism in the Lotus ranks between pre-Esprit model owners and Esprit owners. This may be manifest in the lack of respect accorded the Esprit in this publication.
It's almost imperceptible, but it's as if the Esprit is not considered a 'true' Lotus by some. There is some merit to this line of thought.
All previous Lotus models were much smaller, less powered and arguably more hard scrabble than the Esprit. Additionally, all previous models were much more involved in racing than the Esprit has ever been.
To many, the Esprit is an Audacious, Fat,
'Boulevard Cruiser' by comparison, and a heresy from the original concepts of Lotus, which was small, light, giving it the ability to go like stink, normally aspirated street racer. Many percieve the Esprit as a kinda 'Gold Chain Guy's' car.
We all, of course, believe otherwise, but I'm afraid that the perception lingers and is very real. There are many Elite, Elan, Seven and Europa owners who may even be content to see the Esprit line being dropped, but who favor the Elise in droves. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE.
lotusguy said: Hi,
I cannot speak directly to the issue of Club Lotus' Mag, but I believe that there is a skism in the Lotus ranks between pre-Esprit model owners and Esprit owners. This may be manifest in the lack of respect accorded the Esprit in this publication.
It's almost imperceptible, but it's as if the Esprit is not considered a 'true' Lotus by some. There is some merit to this line of thought.
All previous Lotus models were much smaller, less powered and arguably more hard scrabble than the Esprit. Additionally, all previous models were much more involved in racing than the Esprit has ever been.
To many, the Esprit is an Audacious, Fat,
'Boulevard Cruiser' by comparison, and a heresy from the original concepts of Lotus, which was small, light, giving it the ability to go like stink, normally aspirated street racer. Many percieve the Esprit as a kinda 'Gold Chain Guy's' car.
We all, of course, believe otherwise, but I'm afraid that the perception lingers and is very real. There are many Elite, Elan, Seven and Europa owners who may even be content to see the Esprit line being dropped, but who favor the Elise in droves. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE.
The Esprit to me IS Lotus in my eyes. I guess this is so since I fell in love with that model, and the fact it was pretty much the only model of Lotus in the U.S. at the time besides the Elan which I only saw 2 in my own life.
Graham Arnold did a great job of promoting the original Elan during his days at Lotus.
The magazine does have a bias to the Elan, which is probably considered to be the definitive Lotus, certainly in Europe.
The Excel also gets considerable coverage, but then Arnold owns one and plainly has a high regard for them.
I get the impression that Club Lotus is a personal labour of love for Graham Arnold and I guess that we should be grateful for his efforts, not just during his time running Club Lotus, but more particularly for his time at Lotus, without which the company may not have survived long enough to produce the Esprit.
This web site is without doubt a more useful and enjoyable resource for the Esprit enthusiast, but I will continue to subscribe to Club Lotus, if for no other reason that the club membership resulted in a very competitive insurance deal.
If the latest issue of the club rag was meant to do justice to the legacy of the Esprit, then it singularly fails to do so, but I continue to respect Arnold's efforts nonetheless.
In this age of information technology there is probably no need for the formality of Club Lotus, but I guess that we would all be poorer if it ceased to exist.
We don't need an obituary in the club magazine. The popularity of this site alone shows how much the car means to so many of us.
Pat 87TurboHC
The magazine does have a bias to the Elan, which is probably considered to be the definitive Lotus, certainly in Europe.
The Excel also gets considerable coverage, but then Arnold owns one and plainly has a high regard for them.
I get the impression that Club Lotus is a personal labour of love for Graham Arnold and I guess that we should be grateful for his efforts, not just during his time running Club Lotus, but more particularly for his time at Lotus, without which the company may not have survived long enough to produce the Esprit.
This web site is without doubt a more useful and enjoyable resource for the Esprit enthusiast, but I will continue to subscribe to Club Lotus, if for no other reason that the club membership resulted in a very competitive insurance deal.
If the latest issue of the club rag was meant to do justice to the legacy of the Esprit, then it singularly fails to do so, but I continue to respect Arnold's efforts nonetheless.
In this age of information technology there is probably no need for the formality of Club Lotus, but I guess that we would all be poorer if it ceased to exist.
We don't need an obituary in the club magazine. The popularity of this site alone shows how much the car means to so many of us.
Pat 87TurboHC
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