Hello! Winter seemed to arrive a couple of weeks ago, and with it a general reluctance to go into the garage to face the music – in my case the need to replace the starter motor on the Elan. This situation is aggravated by the need to spend a few weekends up on the Gold Coast finishing Gidget, the Austin Healey 100/4 we are preparing for the Peking to Paris rally – which starts in 363 days as I write this – GULP!
We are preparing for our next Club Night (well, strictly speaking our first of the year!) on 25th July, when we are visiting Carbonix, an innovative carbon fibre production facility run by one of our members, Dario Valenza. The eagle eyes will recognise the address as it is where Simply Sports Cars were located prior to their current home.
Speaking of whom, the next SSC LOTD is taking place next month on 14th July and if you’ve never been to one of their events you should! Have a look here.
We are fast approaching the busy time of the year, so I hope all your plans to fettle and finish off projects are well underway. I just dropped the sump off the Elite to freshen up the big end bearings – there’s a bit of wear there but nothing untoward. As mentioned, the Elan needs some love in the electrics department. And the Eleven is due back from Suspension Concepts soon having had the ruler run over all the suspension components. I’m looking forward to getting her back to the track soon.
Looking out a bit further August will see us at SMSP for both the Morgan round of the CSCA and the following day the Shannons Day – 10 places are available – first in best dressed – drop a line to Evan Jones (contact details on the second page) for yours. August will also see Giles and me in Alice Springs with Gidget for her inaugural rally – the Central Outback Trial – I’ll be interested to see how we go. Then in September we’ll have the AGM and (hopefully!) Eggs B.
On a different note, it’s good to see a significant increase in the number of transactions in Lotus cars, whether old or newer, and whether through Simply Sports Cars, our website, Carsales or Aussie Elises. All the signs point to something of a resurgence in the brand’s fortunes here which is most encouraging – and in no small part due to SSC’s unstinting efforts. By the way, if you are in Melbourne pop into the new showrooms in Southbank – very smart!
Right, better get this to Tom, so keep safe, upright and on the black stuff and I hope to see you soon!
Pip pip,
Ashton