The End

[steveww]

I have recovered after my crash but the Elan is alas a total loss. The investment in the roll cage and 4 four point racing harness saved my life. As you can see from the pictures the cage prevent the front wheels entering the foot wells and taking me off at the knees, I would have bled out before the ambulance got there. The roll hoop stopped the car landing on my head Originality is all well and good but these safety measures are worth it.

As for a replacement I could not face starting from scratch again and my wife insisted on something more comfortable with more luggage space. I still wanted a British sports car so I have bought a Jaguar XJS 4.0 Celebration convertible.

It has been fun owning an Elan for six years and it will always remain one of my favourite cars. I will still be going to classic car events only parking with the Jags now.I hope to meet up with some of you at one of these events, the LotusElan do Net group is the best owners forum on the web.

[Verve]

OH DEAR Steve !!

When & how did this happen .... I was only talking to you at Castle Combe ??!!

Very sorry to hear you`re going .... but glad to hear you are o.k. now .... all the best for the future .... and thanks for all your insights & invaluable knowledge on the one & only Elan : ) .

Paul ( Yellow XAS S4DHC now 5 Speed Sprint ) .

[richgilb]

YIKES!

How did that happen? Looks like a very fast crash....good to hear you are fine. It won't be long before the engine vultures come knocking.

Rich

[alexblack13]

OOOHHH Man....!!! Glad to hear you are ok Steve and that's the main thing. It could have been soooo much worse.

Please stay in touch with us all. I for one will miss 'ostry' looking at me as though I might taste good!

All the best.

Alex B....

[john.p.clegg]

Steve

Congratulations (you're still alive)....you'll be back...it's in the blood..

Good luck
John

P.S. how much do you want for the.....,....,....,...,....,...

[Old English White]

Steeve ,
We allready discuss about security ... You made it right with a roolbar ...
Looking at to your new car , your wife send you a strong message .
But ... It may be pleasant to cruise for a while , but that iron will never react like the Elan , an extention of yourself .
I sold my cat for these reasons .
See you soon , stop smoking , gambling , keep saving money for another Elan before being not able to sit at its wheel !
Christian.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Good luck Steve!

I can appreciate you not wanting to start "all over again!"
I don't think you'll be without a Lotus for long

Cheers
John

[twincamman]

sorry to see you go Steve --glad your OK ----ed

[miked]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to see you go but glad you are OK. We were only talking at CC about this sort of thing over a burger.

Hope we see you around. Thanks for the help you have given us on here and with your site.

Regards Mike

[dougweall]

Steve,

That looks horrific, mighty glad you ARE OK.

We met a few years ago now, I bought a radiator from you. Have always enjoyed a little controversy on the board from you, as the other guys say, which is always nice, "You will be Missed, .....................until you return".

Take it easy, for a while anyway.

Doug.

[Foxie]

Hi Steve,

You are a lucky man, but you did have the roll-bar and the 4-point, thank yourself for that.

Hope you'll be back

BTW, for a long time, I used look at your avatar and saw a little mink head, with small black eyes, and big furry ears..... then one day I saw ...The Ostrich

[Uboat]

This was dramatic, glad you are ok Steve!
I have learnt a lot reading your Elan web site, and I hope you keep the information alive on the web somehowe even though your car is shattered.
/Ulf

[Elanintheforest]

I?m sorry to see you go as well, Steve. But in the words of the Last Crusader, you have chosen?.wisely.

I?ve driven several hundred thousand miles in various XJS cars, and they are superb Grand Tourers, and can be hustled along very quickly as well! And to get your confidence back, in an accident they are one of the strongest cars on the road.

I went into the back of an Escort in my XJS a few years back?the only accident I?ve ever caused (I think!). Unfortunately, it was a rather nice 4wd Cosworth Escort. The damage caused to his car meant that the Escort bodyshell was twisted and he couldn?t open the doors?it was a write-off. I reversed the Jag from the scene of carnage, and examined my damage. One cracked numberplate, one smashed headlamp and a split rubber on the bumper?.all up, ?250 to repair. I couldn?t believe it, and neither could the poor sod I?d hit! He bought an XJS with his (my) insurance money.

I got into XJR-s 6 litre cars a few years ago, and they are stunning, with a mid range torque that will leave Lambos and Ferarris standing. And all for silly (low) money. If you want to play with V12s, I have a spare one that needs a new home!

All the best?Mark

[terryp]

Steve
Glad you are OK, but I don't think that you can leave the Forum.........
You may wake up in a village in Wales being chased by a big balloon!

All the very best and thanks for your replys!

Terry

[trw99]

Steve

Like Mark, I have a few thousand miles of (convertible) XJS driving under me and they are fine machines. But they aren't Elans...... Bon chance and bon voyage!

Tim