He's begining to spill the beans!

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I've met the guy several times & although the subject has never been mentioned, you know how it is when you get a gut feeling.

In the latest "classic & Sports Car"there's a great article about Malcolm Ricketts recently restored Lotus Metier II.
In one part of the aticle Ron Hickman has indicated the state of his relationship with ACBC and has quoted his remarks made about the car:-
"A heap of f***cking sh*t".
An indication of his "patron's" relationship to some of the team is also referred to.

I wonder when Ron will really drop his pants & publish his take on
"The Lotus Story"
Dare he do it?

[paddy]

That incident was also described in Ron's notes in the Robinshaw and Ross book (the later edition with the +2 in it) - overall those notes are fairly revealing about the state of their relationship and the operations overall, but there aren't any other really juicy stories

Paddy

[paul_adamson]

I was interested in the details of the Metier.
I remember seeing - what I assumed was an early +2 with a fuel filler on the left hand side "C" post.

The other thing I remember about this blue car was that its registration number appeared to be all numeric.

I had this brief sighting sometime in the early 1990's.

Maybe it was the prototype? Maybe there where others with the fuel filler in this odd place. How can you have a numeric number plate?

Anyone got any ideas?

Paul.

[Elanman99]

[/quote]

Paul

Cayman Island registration plates are numeric only.

Ian P

[davidfost]

.... and Guernsey plates.

Ron Hickman ended up in Jersey

[niallf]

A few Metier pics in this little lot...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14095101@N ... 138196150/

here's one...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14095101@N ... 138196150/

[elansprint71]

Compulsory reading for every Lotus fan: Colin Chapman's Lotus by Robin Read.

RR was the Sales Manager before Graham Arnold and was there through the early years and into the development of the Elan; in this superb book he tells it like it was, Hickman (and others) get credit for what they actually did, rather that the usual "genius" stories.
The book has been out of print for years but crops up on ebay every so often; I've purchased three copies for various folks, highest price paid was ?25, lowest ?14 but scally book-sellers sometime list for stupid prices. Of course this post will send the value into orbit.

If you want to find out what really went on read this book along with the more readily available Wayward Genius.

Quiz question: who REALLY invented the "Chapman Strut"?
Incidentally, the very good piece on the Metier perpetuates the myth that the Elan uses a "Chapman Strut" at the rear, not true, it's a MacPherson- read the book and find out why.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I agree entirely, both the books mentioned are an excellent read, although it's some years since I did so.
May be time for a re- read to refresh my tired old brain?
At the time of reading I got the impression that there was still a lot to read "between the lines" however.
I think there is a lot of interesting stuff still to be written but will it ever happen in our modern cosseted PC era?

Re. "Chapman Strut":- Designed by Richard Ansdale p.16 "Colin Chapman's Lotus"
I claim my prize

Cheers
John

[Frank Howard]

"Chapman Strut":- Designed by Richard Ansdale p.16 "Colin Chapman's Lotus"
I claim my prize

John,

Go back and read it again. It says:

"The only exceptions to this rule are the unique Lotus transmission introduced on the Twelve and perhaps the Chapman strut; the former designed substantially by the consultant Richard Ansdale..."

Apparently, Ansdale was involved with the transmission, not the strut. OK, return that prize immediately.

[CBUEB1771]

In the latest "classic & Sports Car"there's a great article about Malcolm Ricketts recently restored Lotus Metier II.

Is this perhaps the December issue? I just picked up the November issue which is the one available on the stands in the US, no Metier II article here.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Oh bugger & damn it

Here's the prize back; shame I'd already found a space for it next to the wooden spoon

Yes it's in the December issue should be on it's way across the pond; it's made it to Germany.

Cheers
John

[elansprint71]

John, close but no cigar- you'll have to read the book again to find out who done it.

Pete.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

John, close but no cigar- you'll have to read the book again to find out who done it.

Pete.

Sorry mate; stopped working in September & you may have heard this before:- "Just can't find the time"
Wel maybe after I've finished the Stephen Fry's
John

[Jens]

What's the reason the +2 didn't get the Metier nose and tail? Anyone knows?

The round tail lighs look really good.

Just wondering.

//J

[CBUEB1771]

The round tail lighs look really good.

I met Ron Hickman when he came over for a Lotus Ltd. LOG event many years ago. He said that he was concerned the he would be accused of copying Ferrari with the round tail lights. He was later inspired by following an Alfa through a roundabout. I have since learned that his memory can be very creative regarding design decisions made even many more years ago.