Elite in Retro Cars magazine

General Elite, Eclat and Excel discussions.

Moderator: Board Moderators

StrokerBoy
Verified Poster
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 19:40
Location: Yorkshire
Contact:

Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by StrokerBoy »

Current (Jan 2015) issue of Retro Cars magazine has a red Elite on the cover. Not sure what I think about it yet - it's great to see one in the press, and another car has been saved, but I'm not a fan of the 'slammed' look. :cry: But I've not read the feature yet so I'll reserve judgement. WH Smiths usually stocks it, not sure about anywhere else.

Image

Simpatico
Senior Poster
Posts: 1264
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 21:44
Model: Esprit

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Simpatico »

Any positive press has to be good news 8) if it means a younger/different generation thinks the car doesn't just belong to old crustys it will ensure its survival after we have gone.
I am an EX owner; I have ceased to be

User avatar
Hawaiis0
Senior Poster
Posts: 4130
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Hawaiis0 »

It's on pneumatic shocks so the ride is variable, and was on our stand at the NEC last year.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

User avatar
fueltheburn
Senior Poster
Posts: 1891
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 23:04
Model: SE
Colour: Suzuki Yellow
Year: 1987
Location: Ellon, Aberdeenshire

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by fueltheburn »

I applaud him for using an elite for a scene where "moderns" dominate.
Charlie deserves the praise forthcoming for getting a rough elite back on the road to a decent standard and not languishing in a hedge where most seem to reside these days.

richardw
Moderator
Posts: 2224
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 15:06
Model: Elite S2.2 Automatic
Colour: Essex Blue
Year: 1981
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by richardw »

Like the look or not, Charlie/Luke has been able to do more than anyone else to get more coverage of and recognition for the Elite. I congratulate him!

Richard
Image

Disco Stew
Junior Poster
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 13:14
Model: SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1986
Location: Holmfirth

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Disco Stew »

I've been following this build on Retro Rides since day one and I love it. Maybe it is because I am new to Lotus and not so much of a dyed in the wool enthusiast but I can't see why anyone would be upset by it. It isn't too long ago that these cars weren't really worth a great deal and this will help them get the recognition they deserve.
The only downside I can see is that, coming from a long history of aircooled VWs, the cool factor does inflate prices (also known as 'scene tax').

Simpatico
Senior Poster
Posts: 1264
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 21:44
Model: Esprit

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Simpatico »

At the end of the day it's only real difference is ride height (switchable on demand). The rest of his restoration is pretty spot on for any model. The interior trim for example is not totally original but entirely in period appropriate. If this car offends anyone I would suggest it's them that has the problem. :wink:
I am an EX owner; I have ceased to be

User avatar
alanbell
Senior Poster
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2012 19:08

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by alanbell »

what upsets me is not what somebody does to one rare car but somebody using two rare, restorable cars to make one hybrid. if we want firms like lotus bits to continue to be involved with our cars then it is a case of the more the merrier.

User avatar
Tanz
Senior Poster
Posts: 2071
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 22:05
Model: SE
Colour: Calypso Red
Year: 1988
Location: Wolverhampton

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Tanz »

Hawaiis0 wrote:It's on pneumatic shocks so the ride is variable, and was on our stand at the NEC last year.
This one...

Image
Cheers, Phil
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!

Emmerg
Senior Poster
Posts: 260
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 18:39
Model: Elite S2.2
Colour: Calypso Red
Year: 1982
Location: Dorking, Surrey

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Emmerg »

I love it. Great quality and looks the mutts nuts. Hats off to him
Guy

StrokerBoy
Verified Poster
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 19:40
Location: Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by StrokerBoy »

Well I've just read all 42 pages of the build thread on Retro Rides (sorry boss, I'll do some work in a minute). Amazing stuff, I'm totally in awe of anyone who can visualise exactly what they want and then make it happen with their own hands, documenting it all in an interesting, entertaining and honest way. 8)

Personally I still don't like the slammed look (or whitewalls) but I'm not a purist and it's a good thing that we're all different. Hats off to him for a stunning result, most people must think it's a spacecraft cruising down the high street... :D

Disco Stew
Junior Poster
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 13:14
Model: SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1986
Location: Holmfirth

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Disco Stew »

I've just had a message from Charlie/Luke, the builder of this fine Elite. He doesn't have an account for this forum but wants to pass on thanks for the positive comments and feedback for his car.

User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by amarshall »

Disco Stew wrote: He doesn't have an account for this forum .
That needs to be sorted... :D
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!

richardw
Moderator
Posts: 2224
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 15:06
Model: Elite S2.2 Automatic
Colour: Essex Blue
Year: 1981
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by richardw »

amarshall wrote:
Disco Stew wrote: He doesn't have an account for this forum .
That needs to be sorted... :D
He may be arriving soon!
Image

User avatar
Lotus-e-Clan
Senior Poster
Posts: 4454
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 13:25
Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
Colour: Not Blue or Green
Year: 1989
Location: Swaledale

Re: Elite in Retro Cars magazine

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

F A B!

Love the white walls & slammed look.
Love the SS windscreen trim of the Elite -picked-up nicely by the wheels.

And of course black bumpers are 100% better than body colour - and red and black is super cool!
Peter K

Post Reply