Besides Lotus Elans.....

[Old English White]

... No Comment.
Christian.(Just Elan , please only Elan!)

[Si_130/5]

Hi,

An early S3 Esprit (with black bumpers) fulfills another schoolboy dream and is the most reliable of the James Bond style cars. I'm very pleased with mine.

Best wishes,
Si

[wilsongt]

Re "Wasn?t the Elan designed by a Kiwi and have a French name too?"

As a kiwi I would very much like to claim some NZ influence in the design of the Elan, but the chief designer was I believe South African (with guidance from a certain North Londoner)

I think I am correct in saying though that majority of the original Elite and and the whole of Europa styling was down to the NZ-expat John Frayling

Regards
Glenn

[Si_130/5]

Apropos of very little, Giugiaro's original Esprit design was called the Kiwi on account of its long pointy nose. Obviously Mr C. stamped on that as it didn't begin with an E and was a well known brand of shoe polish at the time.

Apologies for the deviation,

Si

[Elanintheforest]

Well Glenn, prepare to fill up with pride and go have a celebration bungee jump...Ron Hickman designed the Elan and Plus 2! Well, he did the bodyshells and interior designs, not sure how much input he had in the chassis and mechanicals. What a top chap! i think that he helped John Frayling with the Elite, as he only joined Lotus in '58.
And for all that he was paid very little, making his wad with the Black and Decker Workmate.
I think that 2 celebration bungee jumps are called for now.
Mark

[wilsongt]

- don't think I could face another one these days...

Would love to claim Ron Hickman as one of NZ's finest, but for the fact that he is South African. He was at Lotus before 58, but was absent for a period back in SA, National Service-related I think. Top bloke by all accounts, very quotable anyway, enormous mansion in Jersey last I heard, built with those workmate royalties, as opposed to anything he received at Lotus

Regards
Glenn

[elansprint71]

Gordon, behave yourself.

Pete

[Elanintheforest]

My brain cell count must be worse than I thought, or it's the onset of confused senility. But I have just seen 'The Worlds Fastest Indian' about Burt Munro...and I'm pretty sure he was from NZ...although I'm starting to have my doubts now!!
Mark

[wilsongt]

Yes! Burt Munro definitely kiwi. Not that I have seen the film, but the classic symptoms are stubborness, persisting against all odds, lack of funds etc, and an inability to use vowels

Regards,
Glenn

[hatman]

Now I am confused - did Burt Munro invent the Elan then?

[trw99]

No, no. The worlds fastest Munro was built by a New Zealander in India and he called it Elan!

[twincamman]

but spelled Miata--- ed

[masermartin]

Started with learning how to drive in Midwestern winters in a 64 VW Microbus. When you can drive that, you can drive anything. Then, a 59 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, BMW 2002, 66 Dart GT, Porsche 914. but, hey, I might want that Biturbo if you're selling? What year and condition? Jeff

Jeff,

The Biturbo is a 1987 Si (fuel injected - major improvement).

The car is in good condition, I have plenty of pictures if you want me to email them to you. Runs very strong and starts like a new Honda. As is it will not pass emissions, due to a more performance exhaust system. I think the mileage is in the 60k's. It has the BBS factory option wheels on it. I haven't really decided on whether or not I would like to let it go, but I guess i could. The wife is attached to it oddly enough

[1964 S1]

I read that miata is Indian for "not true."

[twincamman]

OHH I thought it was Japanese for----' great idea for a car the round eyes built we can take credit for '-- --ED