Lotus cars at NEC classic show

[alexblack13]

Hi All,
Now you tell me. I had a stand on the strongman erm.. stand.. for ages. Never got a word in. I did notice the pic' on the wall and thought it the same unit. I will check it out as I have as yet paid nought.

They are made in China. Engineering looks fine. Lecy stuff looks suspect.

Great show then guys. That seams to be the overall opinion..

I think the colour of the Elite was the same as the +2 they did for classic car mag. Chrysler something or other..

Alex B....

[AlanM]

[

you shouldn't expect CL to be there, they would have to pay for the stand!!! That goes against their philosophy

Remember, CL is a private company working for their profit - since 1958 or whatever it was . . . .

Which is one reason I was so disapointed with Donnington this year. It deserves to be more profesional.

Well, Barney, the actual reason Club Lotus wasn't at the show was that we had huge stands in both 2005 and 2006 (which did indeed cost a considerable amount of time, effort and yes, money) and regrettably found the show to be disappointing in terms of response, feedback and the overall number of Lotus visitors. If it had been good we would still be there. However, that's not to say we'll not be back in the future as we review operations constantly.

On the other hand we took a stand at Autosport International this year which was very successful with many relevant visitors. We will be there again in January again sharing a stand with Classic Team Lotus.

For your information the 'philosophy' of the club is not to make a profit and I strongly resent that remark. We're here to support the Lotus community and we continue to do so very successfully in many areas - which is why the club still exists after 52 years. The club is successful because many members - myself included - give up considerable amounts of time not for vast reward but for the love of the cars.

I'm also sorry you felt our Donington show was insufficiently 'profesional' (sic) and I'll look forward to your constructive suggestions for 2009.

I'm not entirely sure of your motives in making this unwarranted criticism - perhaps you have a vested interest somewhere along the line?

Alan Morgan
Club Lotus

[elansprint71]

[

you shouldn't expect CL to be there, they would have to pay for the stand!!! That goes against their philosophy

Remember, CL is a private company working for their profit - since 1958 or whatever it was . . . .

Which is one reason I was so disapointed with Donnington this year. It deserves to be more profesional.

Well, Barney, the actual reason Club Lotus wasn't at the show was that we had huge stands in both 2005 and 2006 (which did indeed cost a considerable amount of time, effort and yes, money) and regrettably found the show to be disappointing in terms of response, feedback and the overall number of Lotus visitors. If it had been good we would still be there. However, that's not to say we'll not be back in the future as we review operations constantly.

On the other hand we took a stand at Autosport International this year which was very successful with many relevant visitors. We will be there again in January again sharing a stand with Classic Team Lotus.

For your information the 'philosophy' of the club is not to make a profit and I strongly resent that remark. We're here to support the Lotus community and we continue to do so very successfully in many areas - which is why the club still exists after 52 years. The club is successful because many members - myself included - give up considerable amounts of time not for vast reward but for the love of the cars.

I'm also sorry you felt our Donington show was insufficiently 'profesional' (sic) and I'll look forward to your constructive suggestions for 2009.

I'm not entirely sure of your motives in making this unwarranted criticism - perhaps you have a vested interest somewhere along the line?

Alan Morgan
Club Lotus

A change of tack since the days of Mr Arnold then? He made a living by running at least three "Clubs" from the same office using the same pages in all three magazines. As I understand it, his estate could not conclude a sale on the other "Clubs" after his his death and they folded.

Cheers,
Pete.

[jimj]

I don`t quite understand the negativity towards Club Lotus and I`m surprised Pete`s not a member, perhaps other disparagers aren`t either. In particular their quarterly magazine is excellent and well worth the membership fee in itself.
It`s a shame when any efforts, particularly Lotus minded efforts, are undermined.
Jim

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I think it's unfair to compare Alan Morgan to his predecessor in any way.
I have had the fortune to have met both of them on several occasions & IMHO they are as different as chalk & cheese.
The financial side of the club does not interest me at all but the personalities that I have contact with does.
I have found Alan to be a friendly unassuming enthusiast & the same can be said for the girls that work with him.
I'm sorry to say that I cannot say the same for his forrunner.
It may be that some of us hold prejudices from times gone by, if so I recommend a visit to Donington to meet Alan personally; you'll find a warm welcome.
And yes of course I'm a member but that in no way means pre-programed.

Any chance of a free ticket

Cheers
John

[elansprint71]

I left CL after a full and frank discussion with Mr Arnold, that combined with the clique which was our local branch at the time. I've not felt the need to venture back.

Cheers,
Pete.

[alexblack13]

CUT.... This thread was a discussion on the NEC show and wonderfull cars, super paint jobs, tools, parts, odds n ends... etc etc...

NOT about club politics...

You will never win. There IS NO answer..

Alex B.... Welding goggles at the ready .

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

?lex,

I agree with your sentiments & I think you can hang up the welding goggles back on the Oxygen bottle.
Perhaps it didn't come across clearly enough in my last contribution; that being maintaining a certain standard on this forum.
The occasional difference of oppinion & the odd bit of flaming amongst contributors is often entertaining but statements such as those that started this should have no place on an open forum.
Having said that, I should point out that it is not my aim to critcise or supply support for any of the given arguments other than to uphold a persons right to defend their quarter when attacked.

Cheers
John

[Elanintheforest]

Nice try Alex, but the cat?s out of the bag!!

I have supported Club Lotus since it was reformed in the 70s and will continue to do so for as long as I have an Elan?a long time to come hopefully!

The three main events of Donnington, Stoneleigh and Castle Coombe are always superb, and wouldn?t happen without Club Lotus. They are always attended by Lotus Drivers Club, M100 Club, Historic Lotus, Club Elite, and I?m sure the other spin-off clubs in the regions. What national events do the ?independent? groups organise?

Club Lotus provide a centre around which the other clubs exist, and without them we?d just have local pub meets for like minded folks?not a bad thing, but Club Lotus have those as well.

If the problem is the subscription, then let?s get that into perspective. It?s the same price as half a tank of petrol, or a few pints at the local, or 5 packets of fags. If we were all out selling the Big Issue, this may be a big issue. But as we can all afford the luxury of a fun car, the cost is irrelevant. And anybody who has tried to run any sort of club, even at a local level, will know that the costs of just creating, printing and distributing a magazine several times a year will eat up most of the subs.

Perhaps though the biggest contribution made by Club Lotus is the development and maintenance of enthusiasm amongst individuals that then give hundreds of hours of their time every year to make things happen, at a regional and national level. It?s only at the national level that the big shows can happen, which elevates Club Lotus above the pub-meet spin-off groups, and places Club Lotus at the centre of Lotus activity in the UK.

Those Jim Clark cars didn?t just appear at Donnington. The owners had to be contacted and persuaded to display the cars. The cars had to be insured and transported both ways, in some cases, a long way. And they had to be looked after at the show. Getting the collection to Donnington was only possible because of the trust and respect the owners have for the Donnington show, Club Lotus, and the volunteers that made it all happen.

Mark

[elanfan1]

Go Markie, Go Markie!

Humour aside nail firmly hit I think. Whilst there will always be some whinges and disagreement you can't please all folk all the time. Overall a good job and many of us would have fallen by the wayside with our projects without the help of autojumble, new friends etc etc.

Keep it up up Alan & co.

Steve

[alexblack13]

Hi Guys,
Hmmm! I don't disagree club wise. I was in Club Lotus for many years. I just did not get involved in the politics. I agree we need them,(clubs) and I will be rejoining one of them soon. You can't please everyone all of the time.

I am a member of a club called the Pan - Clan. It is the Honda ST 1100 & 1300 owners club. It is (most of the time) brilliant We travel all over Europe in 'lumps' Great times every time. But you can still get some gripes. You always do and always will.

So... Carry on then. Just keep it between the lines.

I am having a fair struggle with my door trims! Just to change the subject again.

[elansprint71]

Apologies if I have caused any upset wrt Club Lotus; I was a contented & active participant for many years until it ceased to be a Members Club and became a commercial enterprise. If it has reverted to its former status, I'm very happy.

Cheers,
Pete.

[Barney]

A thread has been started for Donington '09 suggestions. Perhaps Club Lotus might like to read some of the frustrations & suggestions of others . . .

[gordonlund]

Hi
I set off at 7:30 from Preston and was in the NEC by 9:30. Missed all the maddening crowds. JVV 200G never missed a beat, a little wet getting there but a lovely drive home. A bit expensive but what a show. Classic bikes as well. Another sin of mine.

Lotus in one form or another was well represented I thought. Going early I was able to have a good scout. Hope you like the pics. By the way, the Elite spray guys wanted ?6,500 to respray a bare +2 body with me doing all the prep. Not cheap!!!

Gordon CLNW