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C A B lotus lines R C L U OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE EVERGREEN LOTUS CAR CLUB November-December 2011

From the Chairman’s Desktop by doug jackson

As the weather winds down seriously toward fall and winter and you possibly begin to think about maybe putting your Lotus car (or cars) into the garage for cold weather storage, I hope you all enjoyed them as much as you could during the warmer weather. Of course, this time of year makes me and other people think about possible projects you might like to accomplish on one or more cars that you own which you can’t easily do while you’re using them for out-on-the-road fun.

I know that there are a number of There was an interesting mix of cars ELCC members who have several and people who took part in this tour, cars that might be classified as including ELCC-members Jess & Eddie “Projects” and the cooler and often Marker who drove their 1991 Lotus times wetter months during the fall, Elan. There was one additional Lotus winter and early spring here in the in attendance, a very nice looking Pacific Northwest is the perfect time black 2005 Elise which was driven by to put on a pot of coffee, turn up the a person who doesn’t belong to our heat in your garage or shop a little club, but may join. I gave him one of bit and work on these things. our newly printed Membership Forms.

This past spring and summer were I hope you really enjoy this issue of filled with many opportunities to Lotus Lines because several of our exercise your and I hope members have stepped forward and that you took part in as may of these written some very interesting articles. activities as you wanted to. There still are a few things that our club And, as an aside, while reading has planned for you during the last a special UK published Classics couple of months of the year, things was organized by the Kirkland Concours Monthly Magazine called “50 Years such as: the “First Thursday” get together d’Elegance people. This was an activity of the Jaguar E-Type”, the author makes an on November 3rd; a two-club drive in- that began at the LeMay Auto Club in Fife interesting reference in the chapter that the-country with the local DeLorean Car (right next to Tacoma) and after some talks about a 1968 E-Type Plus 2 model’s road Club on Saturday, November 12th, and; welcoming coffee and donuts and a short handling characteristics while driving the the ELCC Holiday Party sometime early in “Driver’s Meeting”, we wandered around the twisty sections of a so called B-road in that December... more about these things soon! countryside for a couple of hours on some “Lotus owners would have nothing to fear enjoyable roads before arriving at Griot’s from the big Jag in such scenarios.” Nice! One of the most recent automotive activities Garage in South Tacoma for a hosted that my wife and I took part in was the lunch and tour of Richard Griot’s private Enjoy your Lotus cars as much as you can “Tour d’Jour” on September 9th which collection of cars. during these cooler months. | ll A Second LOTUS LINES IS THE OFFICIAL by don christopher NEWSLETTER OF THE EVERGREEN I wasn’t looking for a second Lotus Seven. I was looking for new tires for the Lotus Seven I bought from David Caley almost a LOTUS CAR CLUB. decade ago now. After I sent a request for 145R13 tires source to the ELCC newslist, several members responded including Dan Opinions expressed in Lotus Lines are those Morrison, whom I hadn’t heard from in about eight years. This eventually led to meeting him in person at the Bellevue ABFM, of the author and do not necessarily represent where he told Andre Samson and me that he had just bought a Lotus Seven off Craigslist LA and that the seller had a second those of the ELCC or its officers. Use all technical information at your own risk. Please rotary-engine-powered Seven for sale. submit all articles, artwork, and photographs to the Editor. All other official business should be directed to the Chairman. Other Lotus clubs are welcome to use the material printed in Lotus Lines, provided that the ELCC, Lotus Lines and the author are duly credited. The ELCC is not affiliated with and does not represent Lotus Cars Ltd., Group Lotus, , or any Lotus related organization.

Membership in the ELCC is $25/year, with the membership year starting in January, and is prorated in three month increments. Two thoughts immediately and simul- the same trailer that the seller said had many holes where original parts would Membership includes a club roster and a taneously passed through my mind and been used to move the car between race have been bolted. Then we started looking subscription to Lotus Lines. Andre’s. First, the rotary-Seven is probably tacks for years and the same trailer on at the frame, chassis and engine numbers. the infamous Gallagher Seven that Andre which it had been parked in LA for the The frame number (probably the most im- Contact us: owed for a while years ago (Stay Away from past two decades. An all-black Seven on a portant for identifying an original Seven) EVERGREEN LOTUS CAR CLUB it! — the reasons require a separate article). rusty trailer heading north on the I-5 in LA was in the correct place and stamped P.O. Box 40481 Second, there’s no way these are original traffic. It must have been quite a sight. with the correct font and sequence. It Bellevue, WA 98015-4481 Lotus Sevens. The cars aren’t particularly matched the range for the chassis number. www.elcc.org expensive, but they are rare and there After the car arrived in Seattle, Dan let me “Hmmm. I’ll be damned. It’s an original is no chance whatsoever that two would see it early on a Saturday morning at one Seven.” We did some basic testing in the The ELCC Officers are elected bi-annually appear for sale from one Craiglist seller of his garages. Dan has several garages, of garage. There were still fluids in most of and currently those officers are: for those prices. They had to be Caterhams which I got to visit three that morning. I the places that fluids should be. The en- or some other clone. But Dan was willing stopped counting cars after about 25. The gine turned. Wow — that’s a race-prepped Chairman: DOUG JACKSON to gamble that they were genuine. Based Seven was tucked into a corner of garage Twin Cam stuffed in there and some frame phone » (206) 300-9130 only on a few tiny photos and an hour-long #2. It looked like the right shape for a Lo- braces that looked like what Gallagher of e-mail » [email protected] telephone call, he had already had bought tus Seven (the clones all tend to have weird the rotary-engined-Seven fame would have Membership: ALAN PERRY one and it was its way to Seattle. angles in the body or fiberglass) but was added for stiffening an auto-crosser Seven. phone » (206) 855-9464 painted black nose to back and in a dark e-mail » [email protected] The Seven was towed from LA to Seattle corner. Very menacing looking. Standing “And you paid how much, Dan?!?! Wow. Treasurer: ANDY KECK on the back of a home-made 1960’s trailer, over it, I could see many original parts and You got a deal.” “And you want how much phone » (206) 390-3870 e-mail » [email protected]

Editor: GRAD CONN e-mail » [email protected] fly lotus Web Master: DON CHRISTOPHER e-mail » [email protected]

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lotus lines » november-december 2011 3 for a re-sell?” “Hmmm. That’s still a good modified SB2012 to stiffen the frame for Seven book. The pictures are in the same ORP is a fun track and devotees should put V6 results in a very capable vehicle. used cars at the dealership, hear the latest deal.” “But it’s going to cost a lot to get it better cornering. The Twin Cam was added chapter where the Gallagher rotary-engine it on their Short List; however, it is not the The addition of a supercharger to the S news from Lotus and Lotus Cup USA and back running and road-legal — the wind- for more power and speed, thus losing the Sevens are shown. It looks like SB2012 was place for your first Track Day. model pushes it to a whole new level! visit with fellow Lotus enthusiasts for screen, lights, wooden steering wheel, original 116E Cosworth engine forever. in Gallagher’s shop in 1979 or so having its several hours. All in all a great evening!! are all missing and will be expensive to But the car still had its original gearbox, extra frame tubes fitted when Ortenburger PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY Although the track was damp in the replace. After all, they only made about frame, most body skins, petrol tank, and visited to take photos for his book. OPEN TRACK DAY morning, and wet after lunch, it dried Chris is covering most of the details about a thousand of them and that was almost enough other parts that it is still a very quickly and the day was without the Sunday but I would like to add one thing. The weekend of September 24-25 was half-a-century ago.” “What’s that? Those genuine Seven. I originally thought it was just a beat-up potential drama provided by a wet Carl from Lotus Cars brought two Evora scheduled as the first Lotus Cup Race at parts came with the car and are at your former race-car Seven at a good price, and surface. In the Lotus run-group, the S cars for test drives on Sunday and I Portland International Raceway but the other garage.” “Hmmm. Let me make I’ve talked to both the seller and Jim Gal- therefore a candidate for restoration back most excitement was generated by had the opportunity to drive the red one event was cancelled a few weeks earlier some calls.” And the Seven, chassis SB2012, lagher about the car. They even sent me to original specs. But most of the modifica- a supercharged Exige that regularly (see photo) for a couple of laps around and replaced with a High Performance was in my garage next to the Caley Seven, some 1970’s racing programs listing their tions are important parts of the car’s his- negotiated turn 2 on three wheels. The Portland International Raceway. All I can Driving Event. SB2096, a few nights later. cars and race results. The Lotus Seven tory. So I’m just going to clean it up, add major “pit action” was provided by say is WOW!!! Very Impressive. Registrar has blessed the car as SB2012 and the road-legal parts like lights, raise it off Radium Auto as they tuned their custom This event was a combination Lotus Cup It turns out the seller in LA is a well-known filled in some more history. Perhaps the the ground by more than the current 1.5", Elise turbo installation between sessions. As a member of the Evergreen Lotus Car and Hooked-on-Driving HPDE plus two West Coast auto-crosser. He’d owned the most important discovery about the car is and call it good. The Twin Cam will stay. Club (ELCC) and President of Club Lotus half-hour Evora Demo sessions hosted by two Sevens since about 1968. Jim Gallagher that it is pictured on several pages of Dennis But most of the black paint has to go. | ll Summer’s end, a hot dry day in Central Northwest (CLNW) based in Portland, OR, Lotus of Portland and Park Place. Four run was a racing partner and good friend. Jim Ortenburger’s 1981 Legend of the Lotus Oregon plus intermittent rain and wind I would like to put a plug in for a couple groups (including a separate session for in Portland, not perfect but a lot of fun! of CLNW Events. We hold two Track Days a Lotus cars) and these demo drives resulted year on the Friday of Memorial and Labor in a long day, only four 20 minute sessions THE LOTUS CUP USA WELCOME PARTY Day weekends at Portland International Summer’s End in Oregon, 2011 in an 8 hour day. Raceway (PIR) and would Welcome any by chris curtin + mark velky I attended the Lotus Cup USA Welcome ELCC Member. You can see the CLNW With an 80% chance of precipitation Party on Saturday night at the newly website for more details (www.clnw.org). With summer drawing to a close, I realized that opportunities for a dry Track Day forecast, I headed to the track early Sunday remodeled Lotus of Portland. Our hosts would soon end so jumped at the chance to join Proformance Racing School at morning on my GY GS-D3 street tires. were Steve and Art from Lotus of Portland. Lotus Cup USA plans to hold a full race Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley, Oregon on the way to the Lotus Cup Track Day Also in attendance were Robbie and Brian weekend in the Pacific Northwest next at Portland International Raceway two days later. The first surprise was finding only two NA from Lotus Cup USA, Carl from Lotus Cars year and it would be fantastic if both cars, an Evora and my 2005 Elise, among and about 10 plus other Lotus enthusiasts. Clubs get behind this and give it our full OREGON RACEWAY PARK OPEN TRACK DAY of six or seven laps of follow-the-leader to the 8-10 entrants in the Lotus group. Which I think was a good turnout. support, then hopefully it will become a learn the correct line. Then the instructor Resigned to eating dust all day, I hoped to Snacks were provided, a Sushi platter and Based at Pacific Raceways, Proformance good workout and are ready for the dust bin. regular Event on their schedule. | ll jumped in and we were off for a thirty be faster than the NA Evora. The second beverages adult and otherwise. Everyone had organized three days at this new There were a total of three Lotus cars, two minute session of intense coaching. With surprise was that the Evora is a very fast got a chance to check out all the new and track in the wheat fields of central Oregon Exiges and one Elise. Other interesting only 27 cars in two run groups we had lots car, even when normally aspirated (NA), and I signed up for the first day of Fall, a cars included an Ariel Atom, a 450 HP of track time to learn the line and gain as I was unable to keep up. Without any cloudless, low-80’s day, with unusually street-legal Ultima, and a pair of GT-Rs. confidence in the blind corners and those firsthand knowledge, I had assumed light winds. I paid the extra fee for an The GT-R is very fast, weighs over 3900 that needed to be taken “flat”. As many of that the extra 1100 pounds of the Evora instructor because this is a very technical pounds, and needs serious brakes; one the turns are built into the side of rolling (compared to the Elise) would seriously track and experienced guidance seemed of them used water injection into the hills, they are unlike any track I have seen limit its performance. However, the wider like a good way to get started. The first center of the front rotors to drop the rotor before and it took all day to finally string track, wider tires and torque of the 3.5L session was for newbies only, consisting temperature by 150-200°C. together a smooth lap. The A048’s got a

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4 lotus lines » november-december 2011 lotus lines » november-december 2011 5 hennessey venom gt | Described as the world’s fastest car, only five models are produced each year. Each one is hand- built over six months by a small team of expert craftsman at a cost of one million dollars each. — www.venomgt.com I wanted Randall to go over it from bump- team again (Lotus Racing in 2010, Team Copperstate Rally 1000 | part 1 er to bumper to make sure it was ready to F1 Ramblings Lotus in 2011) in connection with his by jess marker do a 1000 mile rally, which we had already by robert vets Caterham cars. signed up for; The 2000 Copperstate 1000 David Caley’s experience running a vintage rally in his Lotus Seven sounded like With a solid performance in Japan, in Arizona in April. The naming row aside, both teams still a lot fun, so when I retired in the fall of 1999, we decided to get a vintage car and Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing served as different grades of back markers try it. I had always admired the and of course, had heard the tales of He found a number of issues with the demonstrated that they weren’t just through the season. Neither Kovalainin its legendary handling and performance. We decided that would be a great car to car. The rear sag was caused by weak rear keen to win the World Championships, nor Trulli mustered a memorable run in vintage rallies. So we started looking for one. springs and the rubber cones that the they were intent to crush the performance in the Team Lotus rides, at “Chapman Strut” fits into were delaminated. competition. In April, it was clear that least none that got any media attention These were replaced. The trim around the that I saw. There was talk that the car was Ultimately, if you’re looking for an Elite, said, “what do you think?” I said I liked it this was not likely to be competitive Mike Ostrov in the bay area is the guru and she replied that if you’re going to get One of the first things I did was take it doors was incorrect, which he replaced, as improved, but they made no progress on year but it was really over in Belgium to contact. A call to Mike, who always has an Elite you won’t find a better one, so we down to Randall Fehr, an acknowledged was the trim around the bumpers. It didn’t moving the team into the mid pack. Well, the time to talk about Elites… he has five turned around and bought it. Elite expert. As we drove up to his shop, have seat belts, so those were installed. where the Red Bull chassis proved there there is always next year. or six of them… and he told me about the first thing he said was it sits too low in We had a fire extinguisher installed. wasn’t a track on the circuit where it three or four that would meet our needs. When we showed up to drive it home, I ar- the back. Hmmm. wasn’t dominate. That said it has still The Group Lotus sponsored lads at the I wasn’t looking for a project, but a solid, rived with a new 15 inch steering wheel. I There was some indication that the resto- been an entertaining season to watch. Renault team did fairly well in the mid ration may have been somewhat cosmetic, pack fighting with Mercedes and the likes. reliable (yes a reliable Lotus) Elite that put it on and started it up. I later changed Randall had completed a total restoration Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton would be ready to use. He said one of the that wheel for a different wheel as used on Maury Montag’s Elite and was just clean it, paint it, and put it back on. Before the start of the season, Robert have been giving it their all making for best available was about a mile from our on later Elites. I had not driven the car finishing up David Caley’s beautiful Elite Kubica gave up his seat after a nasty rally good racing with Jensen Button making house! Richard Griot was selling his ’60 before buying it and was not ready for the restoration so he was a natural for making We bought a trailer to haul the Elite in, a car accident mangled his hand; Nick Elite S2. I called Richard at Griot’s Garage, clutch action. A rather stiff spring and I sure the car was up to snuff. nice 20 foot Wells Cargo complete with a the English proud with smooth driving, Heidfeld managed to get his ride. Despite which was in Fife at the time, and he said eased it out gently, finally near the top of winch. We packed up the Tahoe and took staying out trouble, and keeping it on consistently trumping the Russian Vitaly come on down. We went down to his shop the travel it grabbed hold, and I killed it. A This car was an absolutely stock Series 2 off, a week ahead of the start of the rally. the road; Good Job Ole’ Chap! Petrov, Heidfeld was yanked at Spa to yield and he showed us this beautiful, stunning, restart and second try we were off. It had a Elite. Richard had the car restored by a Getting there turned out to be a lot of fun, the seat to the young Bruno Senna. One periwinkle blue, red interior little Elite, very loud exhaust, sporty some might call shop in California. It had just 61 miles on and very scenic. An obvious route included Our two Lotus teams didn’t give us much might imagine that Group Lotus is looking parked on a red carpet. It looked like a it, with a really bad over run when coming it since the restoration about 6 years ear- a stop in Las Vegas, by way of Boise, Jack- to talk about as their most competitive for big things in the future with the Red shining sparkling gem. off the gas. And… no sync on the first gear. lier. It was used mostly as a prop to display pot, and Ely. Then across Boulder Dam; streaks occurred in the English courts. Bull powertrains and a Senna at the wheel. Luckily it has quite low gearing, so if it’s Griot’s Garage products in their catalog. through Kingman to Phoenix. The courts ruled that the Malaysian We looked it over; I got in it and found moving at all, you don’t really need to get These cars could be bought from the fac- team of Tony Fernandes does hold the Though this year’s championship was the large 16 inch wooden steering wheel into first. Actually, the first drive home tory with almost anything the new owner To be continued... | ll legal right to the “Team Lotus” name never really in question and both our was not going to make it easy to get in and had me wondering about the suitability might want, from a nice road car to a full and roundel, but could not use the Lotus teams didn’t give us much to pull out of. We discussed the price. One thing of the car for the purpose I’d bought it for. blown race car. Mine was so stock it didn’t word “Lotus” alone. Meanwhile, Group for, the racing has been entertaining. If anyone who has ever done business with It seemed rather cramped, uncomfortable even (and still doesn’t) have a heater in it, Lotus can also use the word “Lotus” in Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull are intent to me quickly finds out. If I like something, it and noisy. although the heater switch is installed. A their team. So, Team Lotus, in British challenge the Michael Schumacher-Ferrari is obvious and arriving at a price is a rela- single carburetor on the Climax engine, Racing Green, and Renault-Lotus, in the records the next few years could get fairly tively painless, fast experience. I’m used to We had it home in time to proudly show and a single down pipe exhaust producing Johnny Player Special black and gold, are routine up front. Hopefully the likes of paying “airline discount” which is usually it off at the 1999 Evergreen Lotus Car Club 75 deep breathing horsepower wrapped up both legit. All the same, it appears that McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and maybe retail plus 10 percent. We left saying we’d Christmas party which we hosted. in one of the most beautiful body shapes Fernandes came to some agreement even our own Renault-Lotus can keep it think about it, and as we left, my wife ever designed. with Group Lotus and may rename the interesting either way. | ll

“Simplicate, then add lightness.”

8 lotus lines » november-december 2011 lotus lines » november-december 2011 9 join team elcc 2011 event calendar WE’RE LOOKING FOR A NEW CLUB The following are driving and spectator events that may be of interest to owners of British TREASURER AND WEB MASTER! cars. ELCC events are indicated below. For more details of any event, please visit our online calendar at www.elcc.org/events.asp. GR ER EE For those of you who V N E have a desire to be more November directly involved in the C A B R C L U Evergreen Lotus Car Club 3 ELCC Monthly Get-Together elcc and have an interest Smarty Pants, Seattle, WA in handling the money issues and/or the web site presence we have, there 12 Two-Club Drive-in-the-Country elcc is an immediate opening for you right DMC Northwest, Bellevue, WA now. Please get in touch with the club Chairman Doug Jackson either by sending tbd Seattle International Car Show him an e-mail or giving him a call. Seattle, WA the back page December tbd Annual Holiday Party elcc (Location TBD) a b c d e the classifieds f g h i 2000 CATERHAM SUPERLIGHT “R” Superlight Package: Wide track front j k l m n suspension, stiffer front roll-bar, 4-pot front brakes with 10" vented rotors, 4-point seat answer key belt, quick release steering wheel. A. S1(1976-1979) Dealer Options: Crotch straps, complete B. Tesla Roadster (2008) Tonneau cover, boot cover, fresh air heater, C. Mk1 (1963-1966) honeycomb fuel tank protection, fuel safe D. Lotus Seven S1 (1957-1960) race tank, windscreen with wipers. $36,000. E. (1974) Contact Mike Muckle at (360) 468-2629 or F. (1962-1975) [email protected]. G. S1 (1996-2001) H. Lotus Elite S1 (1958-1963) 1985 ESPRIT FOR SALE, BRG/Gold, 61,500 I. Special (1973-1974) miles, $11,500. Contact Robert T. Ewens at J. Lotus Esprit (2013) (509) 447-3344 or P.O. Box 1556, Newport K. S1 (1956-1958) WA 99156-1556. L. S (2006) M. Lotus Elite (2014) The Classifieds are free for ELCC members, and pricing for non-members is available N. DeLorean DMC-12 (1981-1982) on request. For adding or removing advertisements, please send them via email to [email protected] or by calling (206) 686-7326 by the 10th of each month.

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