

I bought the car in January. There were a few bits and bobs I knew needed doing. Nothing serious, just enough to keep me entertained with my new hobby. So I set about putting those things right first:
- The fuel tank had a crack in the neck. The fault was subject to a recall in the 90's but I guess my car spent far too much time off the road to get it done. So tank was replaced with a brand new one.
- Fixed a number of the dash light bulbs
- Upgraded the front brakes to HiSpec.
- Fixed the drivers window - with the help of JC (Brit car nut) and Clemo.
- Service: New spark plugs, changed oil & oil filter, new air filter
The MOT only just passed in Jan. Hazard switch had to be fiddled with and emissions weren't great. Also at this point the car was stuttering under heavy acceleration or load.
- Fixed temperamental hazard warning light. Turned out the bracket behind the switch was broken so I moved it to a spot with a blank switch and it now works.
- Reading up on here I thought the emissions may be down to the 20+year old O2 sensor. So I set about trying to remove the current one trying everything including a Turbo torch!
Then back to fiddling and improving:
- Replaced all four speaker and the gastly silver cd head unit with a black modern unit.
- Fitted an immobiliser
- Removed all the wax on the car. Then applied Gtechniq Exo and Crystal Serum. Love this stuff. really does protect the car and is super easy to clean.
- Replaced the open foam underfelt with closed foam.
- Switched the driver and passenger seats - to share out the wear and tear.
Went to Castle Coombe not having replaced the O2 sensor. Pinky also pointed me to my faulty heater valve.
- Replaced the rusted heater valve with a new rubber V40 one. Also found the heater wasn't plugged in!
- Finally removed and replaced the O2 sensor. Phew! Nothing like the pride of doing a tricky task yourself and not giving in and calling in the professionals.
- Fitted a CTek dash socket so I can keep the car battery conditioned and ready to go. Also removed a number of old unused wires from the transmission tunnel.
- Bought and fitted a wind deflector
Went to Lotus 70th.
- Yesterday I got round to fitting new coil packs which has resolved the stutter. Drives like new now.
List of things still to do:
- When I turn off the Windscreen wipers they don't return to their starting position.
- My coolant reservoir is only attached by a single bolt (+ a cable tie to give it some temporary support). It did originally have a strap that went round it but that has perished over time. So need to do something there...
- Some of the Lotus wheel centres are scratched up and could do with replacing.
- My stereo turns itself off on occasion when driving over bumpy roads.
- Rear lights mist up. So need to take those out, dry off and reseal.
- Voltage, oil and boost gauges mist up. I've drilled holes in the top of them but not cured it

- The bonnet stay is on the right of the bonnet and doesn't support it properly. I originally thought that was perhaps a prototype part. I've noticed holes in the front of the engine bay so I'm not quite sure now. I have a broom that works really well for now but need to work out what to do.
- Drivers a-piller is a bit rough near the top.
- Short shift
- Any recommendations for floor mats please? My lotus ones constantly get caught up in my feet when driving.
At Lotus 70th I had a discussion with David Monument, the first owner of the car, and found out a few bits on the car aren't original. So mulling over what to do...
- Do I refit the original orange indicator lenses
- Do I fit a yellow and green lotus badge on the bonnet. It has a black one currently which looks really nice but the first owner said it didnt leave the factory with it.
- First owner also said he replaced the SE wheels with S2 wheels...which I had thought was done by the factory.