Final piece of the puzzle

[elaverick]

After almost a year of Lotus ownership, 4 new injectors and a MOT worry over emissions I’ve finally obtained the last thing that’s being stopping me really enjoying my Lotus...

I now have a full driving license. Passed this afternoon with a small smattering of minors. So if you see a LMY J plate pootling around Bristol give me a wave.

[Giniw]

Congratulations!!
(and be careful until you get more practice )

[Kathryn]

Well done!

I’m going to the Balloon Fiesta on Sunday, so there will be another Elan in town!

[Saltire]

But never mind pottering around Bristol - try a couple of trips into Gloucestershire and Wiltshire once you’re familiar with the car. Lots of Elan-friendly roads over here

[simonbuk]

So your first car is a Lotus ?!

Fair play to you !!

[elaverick]

Thanks everyone.
Giniw: Yeah at some point I plan to do a pass plus and an advanced course, but I just want to build some general experience first.
Kathryn: Enjoy the balloon fiesta, it’s alway a great sight, I think they’ve been having difficulty getting launched so far but I think today is lookingva little more steady. I shall keep an eye out for your car. There’s also a Silk red somewhere in Bristol but I’m yet to see it this year.
Saltire: We used to live in Longlevens, and you’re right the Gloucestershire countryside is very pretty. Well worth an explore once I’ve built some confidence.
Simon: First car I’ll actually be driving. But for a new driver I’ve already owned a Fiesta, an A3 and we also have an A5 for sensible family duties... but the Lotus was the impetus to finally get on and get the test sorted. It’s just too much fun to leave it sitting undriven.

[clemo]

Enjoy .
https://www.myphotopuzzle.co.uk/photo-p ... PcQAvD_BwE

[lotusflasherman]

Giniw: Yeah at some point I plan to do a pass plus and an advanced course, but I just want to build some general experience first.

That's a good attitude ..

I passed my test 50 years ago in Barnet and was fortunate to have an instructor way ahead of his time. He had been a Police Instructor and while learning he gave me a copy of 'Roadcraft, The Police Drivers' Manual' to read and apply. Very few instructors take you on the open road and teach you how to overtake safely and even fewer spend an hour after you have passed to take you on the M10 & M1 motorways and show you what to do . His final words were "I've taught you to pass the test, now you learn to drive.."

I would strongly recommend the current edition of Roadcraft for how to drive safely on public roads and Paul Frere's Sports Car and Competition Driving for the dynamics of high speed cars.
I tried The Institute of Advanced Motorists course but the guy wanted me to tell him everything I was seeing and doing and I found it more distracting than talking on a hands free phone... and in an urban area just bloody dangerous!

M100 is a lovely car to drive but some don't like it. Tony Rudd said in his autobiography.. "For me, a Lotus has to be coaxed and caressed into giving its best. The Elan tended to be a car that any fool could drive, unless you did something really stupid."

Enjoy ...

[Saltire]

Roadcraft is (still) excellent. It’s amazing to think it was first written over 60 years ago - and now it’s even available in Kindle format. I’m also IAM, and a commentary is no longer mandatory, though it is “recommended”. IAM can get you an insurance discount too - beneficial if you’re relatively young (unlike me ) I’m also a member of HPC,where the training, conducted by retired police drivers, is excellent (better than IAM, IMHO).

Whatever you choose, you never stop gaining in experience. I passed my test in April 1973, and I’ve lost count of the number of occasions since where I could say “I learned about driving from that”

[Bern]

I've seen a Calypso red parked in Whitchurch.

I have often taken the Elan through Bristol, though not recently - I've not driven it for a couple of months!

I recommend Dundry Hill and the hill that goes up past Tyntesfield to Failand for some nice up hill corners

And congratulations!