Sunday 23rd Sept '07 - Hethel Open Day

[Paul.P]

Wonder if it would be worth replying, mentioning that if Lotus continue with there ' not a lot of support ' for the older models stratedgy, we might not be able to attend in years to come ?

[Doug]

I'd sign that letter! Maybe a few hundred signatures would send a message (a message that they'll only piss off a few hundred people in the world - - - but we have friends )

[Bibs - LEF]

I hope that after my recent discussions with the boss that this attitude will change shortly and a new, more supportive structure will be in place.

Watch this space dudes

[Kimbers]

Frankly i think something like that would have an adverse effect. Lotus are one of a very few Manufacturers who support their older models in any way. Legally they only need to support a car up to 8 years old, maximum.

Ford for example only make parts for 10 years, whereas Lotus can still source parts on the S1 which is 33 years old (though these are getting rarer).

If you are referring to technical support and owner support then part of the problem is in dealers not being willing to work on older cars.

Agreed that over the last 10 years Lotus have not been brilliant at looking after their enthusiasts but the current management is totally different and trying to forge closer ties with all the clubs.

Please take this letter for what it is, a thank you and measure of the Directors respect for you and don't blunt the message with any moaning.

[Specky]

If you had asked me a few months ago who the boss of Lotus was I would of stared blanky....

Even if at Hethel I did have a blonde moment...

It went something like this :-

Dave T... You know WHO that is..

Specky... No, but I just shuck his hand and said hello....

Dave T... Kimbers...

Specky... I wondered what he looked like...




Then I thought, those LEF boys are very freindly... and Why's he signing Gareth's Elan book...





So it just goes to prove the day was an education and even the top man has got everyones best interests at heart...

IMHO Lotus are now re-building Bridges that were burnt decades ago... and rightly so...

Good skills to the big man...

and Kimbers you're not that old looking really...

TTFN

[GeoffSmith]

Young Mr. Kimberley (does anyone else have flashbacks to Grace Brothers?) has some good points. The majority of dealers are probably not interested in older models because it's more difficult and there isn't as much money in it.

Since the Aftersales do at Bristol, there appears to have been some useful dialogue going on and Lotus now know what LEC is all about. It's not going to happen overnight and it's not going to fix everything (A post seals would be a start), but I think that Lotus's current management should be applauded for their change in attitude. We could always do what LEF have done and encourage someone to set up to look after Elans exclusively!

[Kimbers]

Geoff.

The man you need to speak to is Gary Slattery at Lotus. Call 01953 608000 and ask him about them. The story will be told to you, but they have been trying for 2 years now to source A post seals and been unsuccessful so far. A chat with him and possibly a local member lending them a car to use may even help them!

[rip]

A chat with him and possibly a local member lending them a car to use may even help them!

I heard that S2's no 801 & 802 never left Hethel. Is that just a rumour or are they pristine examples which Lotus do not want to ruin by investigating the seals on them?

[dapinky]

Having had many chats with Garry up at the afterparts sale (he probably got fed up with my turning up every day with a new list of stupid questions, and requests for hidden, dusty parts!), he is very 'pro' and knows lots without having to delve into his (considerably full) archive file.

It was he who told us that there were in fact 802 S2's built, and 2 remain at the factory. It is these 2 which have been/are used to develop new parts, and the original A post seals were long ago destroyed when sent away for 're-manufacture', leaving them with 2 cars which leak like most of ours do! (due to the inability of the re-manufacturers to make a good/suitable product).

He asured us of the continuing search for a suitable product, but it is important to remember that Lotus Cars have more to occupy their minds than this one item, and the fact that it isn't forgotten is a step in the right direction.

Again, having seen the response of factory representatives at both the aftersales event, and at Donington, i think there is little doubt that we are not only "Not forgotten", but also there are good relationships being built with the current team.

This is being manifested by the ever-closer ties between LEF and LEC (and others!) and the factory.

Not many other marques can boast such progress.

I'm sure that there are cynics out there who will say that of course the factory were interested in the aftersales event, as it was their way to shift unwanted stock - and i'm sure that this was somewhat of a consideration, however, how many others would have actively refused sales to 'independant dealers' if they only wanted a quick profit, and also allowed LEF & LEC to attend a day early (before the general public).

To me, this shows a great deal of support to the 'historic' models, and their owner 'clubs', whilst still running what is, after all, a business.

[Russc]

I agree, there arn`t too many manafactures who still supply parts to vehicles of this age. I`m currently waiting for parts that are being "finished by hand" from hethel. Granted it`s taken a while but at least i know they are going to turn up at some point!

I was pretty suprised but happy at the thought that they still do "care"

Hopefully the links that are being made now will support us for years to come.

[surfboardfiller]

So do lotus truly support 30 year old cars, or just have some parts left over? Let's be honest!?

If Lotus do decide to re make some parts for our cars, some Wishbones, decent brakes, Bumpers and bushes might be useful as well as seals. If they make brakes first, they will not need so many front bumpers and clam shells!

Mercedes still support cars from the 60's and Audi do well too. If a legal requirement is the only motivation too support the enthusiast, then it truly is a sad day for the industry. An old Lotus car is too good to be trated like an old Ford, not really in the same league are they

I don't know about you lot, but I drive my car almost every day and when it rains it rains on the inside. I doubt anyone at Lotus is suffering from thier leaky m100s or they would not be 'waiting' for a company to sort it out for them, I think they would probably do it themselves. (that's if they still make anything these days)

Rant over.

[surfboardfiller]

Or Lotus could give me permission to make replacement parts and I could invest in some workshop space!
But I guess I have just blown that with my rant

[Specky]

Or Lotus could give me permission to make replacement parts and I could invest in some workshop space!

And Fibreglass Services might get a little upset to...

TTFN

[Paul.P]

I hear what young Mr Kimberley says, & i sincerly hope that his attitude is carried on throughout the whole of the lotus organisation. I have dealt with lotus directly when my car was being restored, & the people i dealt with, namely the bespoke trim ladies & Mel Broome, were more than helpful, but i do have sincere concerns when main dealers tell me that parts are getting in short supply & there doesn't appear to be a lot being done about it, but as a 35yr lotus fan, i really hope they get things sorted !

[GeoffSmith]

Big thank you to Dave Eds for grabbing me a goody bag as I couldn't make it on the day. Cheers Dave.