I've rather been a lurker till now, especialy before buying myself an M100 SE (bought in March 2013) and thereafter, even though I posted some information about where to get Ruote OZ stickers for the wheels...
Did not find time to introduce myself before, sorry for that.
So I'm a French man, born in 1959, living close to paris and working as IP director of a simulation software company. If I mention this, it's because our firm notably has clients in the automotive industry and we even have a former engineer from Lotus cars in our staff (in one of our UK affiliates).
Of course I'm of the generation who just luuuuuvvvvved to see Mc Goohan, Diana Rigg, Linda Thorson driving the cars you know on TV...
One of the main reasons of my addiction to Lotus cars, certainly. This and the fact that when I was a boy I saw Jim Clark winning a F2 race at Rouen-Les Essarts, here in France. First time my dad brought his two sons at a car event ... What a great idea he had!
Jimmy was so close when he got his trophy that I could have asked him to give me his little Esso tiger plush... If only I had talked English ...
Now, on this last subject, it's better now (not perfect, just the level of someone who has been working around 60% of his time in English for 25 years, here and in international law firms such as attorneys and patent attorneys firms) but as for meeting Clark again it may be difficult now...
I've also seen Clive Chapman twice, at Donington and in Paris (at Retromobile exhibition). Met Gerard Cromback as well.
Donington Park? Yes I've been there several times with friends from the French Lotus Club. For the Lotus show of course.
And about my car?
It's a M100 S1, built in november 1990, that I try to maintain in tip top form and as close as possible to the original. And in that perspective, this great forum and many contributors are a great help! Sole exception: I do prefer the Blaupunk New York autoradio to the OEM equipment for its look and functions. I have almost the same (Bremen) in the Elise.
Again, I bought this car in 2013. As for the options, she has Air Conditioning. Wanting something comfortable and reliable. Something that I've seen when it was new (in 1990 I lived close to a reseller, Avenue de Madrid in Neuilly-sur-seine), that I've seen many times in Britanny where a group of Belgians came with their M100 at journeys organized by the French Lotus Club (because I bought an Elise that was delivered to me in 1998, though ordered in december 1996) and something that I've always considered as a beautiful car.
And I discovered that it was very sporty as well, at a degree I could not have suspected!
I adore it! Depending on the mood, the weather, I either take the Elise or the Elan, exception being made to track where I'd rather take the Elise. But the Elan can really be quick on B roads and I even surprised Exige or Elise 111R owners with my blue toy!
Thank you for reading me.
Jean-Michel Piot
