Erik V. Berg wrote:
> Matt, where are you located?
Indiana.
> It depends what you want in the long term. Your Spridget (or, have you
> considered a Spitfire / GT6?) could be nearly as interesting as a 7, if
> you are willing to put enough work into it. Spitfires can be made into
> extremely potent devices, using surprisingly low bucks, if you are
> creative. (Cue Chris K.?)
I find the idea of a Spitfire appealing. It is similarly lightweight as
my Spridget, with (as I recall) "normal" dampers, a dual A-arm front
suspension, IRS (I think?), a crossflow head, etc. Engine access in a
Spit makes me drool. However, there is much less out there on tuning the
Spit motor than there is on the good ol' A-series. I suppose the basics
are all the same.
> If you know that you won't ever be satisfied until you get a 7,
> consider building up one of the 7 replicas (but obviously, don't do
> this if you ever need to go racing... none of the organizations here in
> the States will admit you.) It is something that you could invest in
> over several years, while you are in the process of building it.
It's not the "look" of a 7 that appeals to me, but the concept. The
minimalism and elegance. The realisation that doors aren't necessary on
sportscars. A Light Car Company Rocket appeals to me too. However, I
would like to keep racing options open, so building a Westfield or
whatever probably wouldn't work.
> An Elite or Eclat is a completely different proposition.... much more
> different from a 7, than a Spridget or Spitfire is from a 7, in my
> humble estimation. Don't get a Lotus just because it says Lotus on the
> badge. You might discover that it isn't really what you needed or
> wanted.
You're probably right. I've decide not to do this sort of thing,
especially after re-reading my Lotus Buyer's Guide last night and seeing
that the Anguish Factor for Elite/Eclat (on a scale of 1-10) is 9. Oi.
And I don't think the 4-seaters would make me happy.
Thanks for the guidance...
--
<mml@pobox.com> Matt Liggett
'60 Mini, '70 Midget, '89 SAAB 900t SPG
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