Lotus Drivers Guide

Newsletter issue 71, September 2013

The first words....

Plenty of things to do are the reason for a late publication of this September issue. After a lot of happenings in the Lotus scene, it has now become more quiet I guess. But I still found information that I like to share with you. Lots of model car news, some interesting books and other news. I am sending this newsletter to a couple of hundred enthusiasts every month and I am wondering if it is still bringing you useful news, in these modern times with lots of information reaching you via digital sources. Please let me know, as making this newsletter is taking a lot of time so it is important for me to know if it is still serving a purpose.

Please enjoy reading this newsletter en do not hesitate to give me your comments.

Ronald Ringma

Bulleta RF22 (Evora)

The California based company Bulleta Motors took a Lotus Evora and used this as a starting point to create their new RF22. Next to brands like Caterham, Tesla and Detroit Electric, Bulleta is an other party that made a deal with Lotus in order to use the Lotus technology. Bulleta Motors is a premium manufacturer of exclusive, hand built, exotic supercars. Each Bulleta RF22 is made to the exact specifications of its owner and custom hand fabricated once its owner places their order. No doubt this exclusivity will have its price.

Weight loss is what Bulleta Motors wanted and has achieved by using carbon fiber, you can even order an optional carbon fiber body! Notice the carbon fiber wheels.

Some specifications:

PERFORMANCE

Engine Power 505 HP
Engine Torque 410 ft-lb
0-60 mph 3.6 seconds

ENGINE

All alloy, 3.5 litre DOHC V6 with Bulleta Designed HTV 2300 Supercharger utilizing Eaton Turbine Technology
Mid Engine, transverse, rear wheel drive
Multi-point sequential fuel injection and direct ignition system
Electronic Throttle Control system

TRANSMISSION

6 speed manual with sports ratios
Optional 6 speed automatic with Sport Paddle shifters
BOSCH Electronic Differential Lock [EDL]

BRAKES

Carbon Ceramic Disk Brakes
Servo assisted ventilated discs, 350mm front, 332 mm rear cross drilled
BOSCH tuned ABS system
Hydraulic Brake Assist [HBA]
Electronic Brake Distribution [EBD]
Cornering Brake Control [CBC]
Electronic Dynamic Performance Management [DPM]

WHEELS

All Carbon Fiber Wheels 19" front and 19" rear
Optional Forged Aluminum 20" front and 20" rear wheels
Front Michelin Super Sport 245/40 ZR20
Rear Michelin Super Sport 295/35 ZR20

007 Submarine Esprit sold!

The Esprit that was featured in the movie "The Spy Who Loved me" has been sold at RM Auctions in Battersea for £550,000. Although it did not reach the £675,000-£950,000 guide price, it’s seems to be a very good price for this iconic movie car.

This Esprit is the only fully functioning car that was designed and built for the underwater scene. From the 6 Esprit body shells that are used, this was the only one to become a fully operational ‘submarine’. Built by Perry Oceanographic, Florida. In 1977 the cost to create this car are said to be $100.000 plus.

Evora recall

USA - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published the following information:

Manufacturer: Lotus Cars USA, Inc.

SUMMARY:
Lotus Cars USA, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2011 Evora supercharged vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The engine oil cooler hose may chafe and rupture resulting in oil loss.

CONSEQUENCE:
Engine oil may be ejected onto the road or rear wheels which could cause a reduction in vehicle control and potential engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Engine oil sprayed onto a heat source may also lead to a vehicle fire.

REMEDY:
The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Lotus at 1-770-476-6564. Lotus' campaign number is 2013/03R.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Detroit Electric SP:01 production in The Netherlands

Short history: Detroit Electric started building electric cars in 1907, then took a 74-year break. Now, the company is back with what it calls “the world’s fastest pure-electric production car”, their model SP:01.

Looks familiar, doesn't it? The car is based on the Lotus Elise, just like the Tesla Roadster was.

I guess most Lotus enthusiasts have heard or read about this car, but new is the fact that the The Detroit News reported that production will commence in the fourth quarter of this year in Holland. The location is not yet known, but my suggestion would be ECE (Electric Cars Europe) that has experience with building electric powered Lotus Elises. If you check their website, www.ececars.nl, you will notice that it is already linked tot the Detroit Electric website. And on that website, the European address is the address where you can find ECE...

Detroit Electric faced problems while searching for a location to start production, but this is what CEO Albert Lam (By the way, former CEO of Lotus Engineering) recently told the press: “Our commitment to the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and the United States is as strong as it ever was. While there have been some delays in our plan to start production in Detroit, many vehicle programs experience some form of delay.”

More information and images can be found here, http://www.detroit-electric.com

Lotus Cars opens flagship showroom in Singapore

Lotus announced the official opening of the new Lotus Flagship Showroom in Singapore, strategically located right in the heart of the city. In conjunction with the opening, Lotus also unveiled the Exige S, Elise and Evora to the Singaporean public.

The 4,400 sq ft Showroom was officiated by the Chairman of Group Lotus , YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, who was accompanied by the Chairman of Richburg Motors Singapore, Mr Eric Wong.

Also present at the event were His Excellency Mr Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner to Singapore and YBhg Dato' Lukman Ibrahim, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

Lotus Singapore will operate in partnership with Richburg Motors, who also represent Lotus in Hong Kong, allowing opportunity for a synergy between the two markets.

Lotus Esprit Stamp

Some of Britain’s best-known classic cars are featuring in a special run of 10 stamps launched by the Royal Mail on the 13th of August. Photographed by C&SC's James Mann, the classics are split into two themes celebrating the country’s motor manufacturing: Thoroughbreds and Workhorses. The former will include cars such as the Jaguar E-type, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Aston Martin DB5, MG MGB, Morgan Plus 8 and the Lotus Esprit. The Workhorses, meanwhile, are vehicles such as the Morris Minor Van, Austin FX4 black cab, Ford Anglia 105E and Land-Rover Defender 110.

Design: Why Not Associates
Stamp format and size: Landscape 60mm x 21mm

(images: Royal Mail)

Modelcars

This version of the Spark Lotus Type 18 was already announced in 2012 and now it has been produced and can be found in your specialist shop; 1:43 scale, 1960 Jim Hall USA GP.
		On the left you can see an image of the new Lotus E21 1:43 kit that is produced by Tameo. It was announced earlier but this is the first image that I can show you.
Studio 27 has recently produced this carbon look set of decals, that can be used to make the Tamiya Lotus Type 99 model (1:20) look more realistic
		This new 1:18 Lotus Mark XI by Spark may be in the shops just before Christmas (I hope my wife reads this...). This is an image from Spark, showing a preproduction model.
Some time ago Oxford Diecast did announce their new Lotus Elan Plus 2 models. This time I can show you the 1:43 scale miniatures, these will be in the shops very soon now!

And here is the new Lotus Excel 1:43 model by Spark, it looks like a model that is ready for production so we can expect this item to be in the shops soon.
		On the left you can see the new (expected soon) Lotus Type 30 model, representing the car that Jim Clark drove on Riverside in 1964. Another variation of this model by Spark, 1:43 scale.
Spark is about to release two more versions of their 1:43 scale Lotus Type 18;
1960 British GP, Innes Ireland		1961 Monaco GP, Stirling Moss
The Japanese Planex company is known for making limited edition runs that are based on existing model cars. Her is an example, the Lotus Europa Special that was used by Ronnie Peterson during the Silverstone Grand Prix in 1973. Based on the 1:43 Spark model, limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Notice the man himself behind the wheel and the logo on the front.
Another new 1:43 model that will be available in the Planex Collection is this Lotus Type 78 as used by Gunnar Nilsson during the 1977 Belgian Grand Prix. Based on the Spark model. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide
		Recent Planex issues include this Lotus Type 72 E, Ronnie Peterson winner of the 1973 Austrian Grand Prix, also based on the 1:43 Spark model. Limited to 1000 pieces worldwide.
...and this Lotus Type 72 E, Emerson Fittipaldi, pole postion 1973 Austrian Grand Prix, also based on the 1:43 Spark model. Limited to 1000 pieces worldwide.
		...and this 1974 Type 76 presentation car with Ronnie Peterson is also a Planex (re)creation. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, 1:43
The Lotus Type 56 Turbine, the car that was driven by Graham Hill on Indianapolis in 1968, has now been released by TrueScale Miniatures, 1:18.
		The Corgi 1:43 Evora models are now available in the shops, on the left you can see the Evora S GP Special Edition
And also from Corgi, the first 1:43 E20 model is now in the shops. On the right you can see the 2013 showcar. The showcars differ from the 2013 race cars in that they are the previous season's shape finished in the team's new livery.
		Spark has announced a 1:18 resin model of the #7 Lotus E21 which Kimi Räikkönen drove to victory in the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.
And Spark has also announced a 1:18 resin model of the #8 Lotus E21 which Romain Grosjean drove in the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.
.		By the end of this year, release date is said to be 31 December 2013, Tomica will present their new 1:64 scale diecast Lotus Evora GTE. I have seen images of a green, a white and a yellow version
Here is a new Lotus Type E21 1:20 scale kit made by E.Jan. E.Jan produces Very well made resin & metal kits, similar in quality to Studio 27. Also an increasing range of accessories including excellent figures and other items to make diorama scenes. Made in Japan.
		On the left I can show you the new 1:43 Lotus Type E21 models that are announced by Spark, both the Räikönnen and Grosjean versions. Not yet in the shops, but I guess these should arrive very soon now.
And here are the Lotus Type E21 Scalextric 1:32 slotcar versions:
Räikönnen	Grosjean		Valsecchi
This model is the 1:18 Lotus Type 33 that Spark has announced for release later this year, driver Graham Hill, 1967

Books and video

The Lotus 14 Technical Analyses and manual Addendum

By Dutch author Kees Houtzagers, expected Autumn 2013. No image yet, I will show you a picture as soon as I can make one. After many years of hard work, this book by a Dutch author is almost finished now. Lots of (technical) background information covering the Lotus Type 14. 210 x 210 mm, 275 pp

Colin Chapman, The comic-strip biography

This all-colour hardback tells Chapman's story in comic-strip form, with the focus on motor racing and in particular Lotus's Formula 1 achievements. Beautifully drawn and historically accurate, this brilliant book will enlighten and charm motorsport enthusiasts in equal measure. Hardback, 300 x 230mm, 144 pages, 1020 color illustrations.

Earlier we did see the three French books, also translated into Dutch. This is the English version combining all three books into one.

A 'must have' for the Lotus enthusiast!

A History of White Metal Transport Modelling

Not a Lotus book, but I believe this may be interesting for the collectors and/or builders of model cars.

A Who's Who in the Industry

This book is written by well-known experts, Ray Strutt and David Wright, and represents many years hard work, assembling the personal stories of over 160 pattern makers, mould makers, casters, builders, producers and retailers.

From the pioneers of the late 1950s to the large scale producers of later years, they track the fortunes of the white metal industry.

They have selected many colour pictures never seen before from a store of over 600 images.

Ray and David bring 60 years of collecting experience to the task, and this brand new, 280-page book will be truly absorbing for anyone remotely interested in knowing how the white metal hobby came together.

The History of Resin Transport Modelling

A Who's Who in the Industry

Following the very successful publication of "A History of White Metal Transport Modelling", David Wright has responded to popular demand, seeking the other half of the international model story - the resin world.

"The History of Resin Transport Modelling" is therefore the companion volume, and David has sought out over 170 contributors, this time many from France, Italy, Netherlands and eastern European countries, who between them portray a colourful picture of how resin kits were first developed, and transformed into current day miniatures. Producers from Japan and Australia, Russia and Romania, together with the USA and UK make this book a truly international reference work.

A versatile medium such as resin has taken David's research into slot racing, military and armour, as well as heavy haulage, buses, land speed record and racing cars.

David has adopted a similar format to the first book, with chapters on each group of producers, a timeline appendix, and a focus firmly on the people behind the models. This time, Ray Strutt, organiser of the ModeleX exhibitions, has written the foreword. Amazingly, the book is 268 pages long, the same as the white metal book,

The Magnificent Seven - 3rd edition

Getting behind the wheel of a Caterham Seven is one of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable for a keen driver. The third edition of this well-respected and informative book includes details of the models produced in the six years since the second edition was published, and gives a full model listing, specification and driving impressions for each of the Lotus and Caterham Sevens, together with a guide to purchase and restoration, a summary of the main developments, and useful contacts.
Further to the various versions of the Lotus-built Seven, and more than 60 models produced under the Caterham identity.

In 1973, the company then owned by Graham Nearn took over the manufacturing rights from Lotus and has carried on developing this back-to-basics sports car ever since. Detailed coverage of each of the cars, from the original Lotus Seven S1 Ford through to the Caterham 50th anniversary models. A timeline of main developments chassis, engine, transmission, suspension. Caterham kits and race cars. Fully updated to include models produced since 2007, including Superlight Sigma, Axon Automotive, X330, Superlight R500, RS Levante, CDX Limited Edition, Superlight R300, Roadsport 175, CSR 175, Lambretta Special Edition, Roadsport 125 Monaco, Supersport, Team Lotus Special Edition Seven, Sp/300.R Guidance on purchase and restoration. Useful contacts factory, clubs, agents, specialists, motorsport and tuning.