Elan evacuation
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 7:02 am
Massive fire storms in Northern California wine country. You may have seen it on the news.
We got a visit from the sheriff advising us to vacate as the fire was coming our way.
So what do you take with you at such a moment?
One thing was absolutely clear to me: the Elan was not being left behind. Thankfully I just got it running after a 2 year rebuild.
So I grabbed my folder of Lotus papers going back to my original factory invoice (as original owner of 48 years). Threw the original workshop and parts manual behind the seat along with Buckland?s book. Left all the various minor bits that I am still working on (can be replaced).
Then collected the usual irreplaceable family photos and mementos into our SUV.
Then, an interesting discussion as we are just two. What about my wife?s Porsche (2006 Carrera S cabriolet)? With the Elan and the SUV, that left no one to drive the Porsche. My comment about the Porsche being easier to replace than the Lotus did not go over well. And the SUV was needed to transport our things plus 2 large dogs.
So, under pressure, we took 20 minutes to relocate the Porsche at a presumably safe nearby hotel parking lot.
Then, we decamped to safety at my daughter?s some 50 miles away. My wife in the SUV with the dogs and all the mementos and me separately in the Elan.
I had not driven the Elan that far since getting it back on the road in the last month. So still somewhat uneasy about some part of the car perhaps failing. I have completely gone through the car (engine, drivetrain, suspension, electrical, wheels, ...). Hundreds of hours and silly money.
One problem as I drove on in the twilight. I had been in the process of sorting out the headlights, so I had none.
But, I made it as darkness fell and no other problems. In fact, the car was quite impressive all round. Especially enjoying 181hp and 143 lb-ft.
Not to say, assuming I still have a house and my garage, that I will soon be going through a full safety checklist and retorquing of everything. I don?t want anything falling off at speed.
In limbo now as we watch the news for any signs of the letting up of this disaster and hoping for the survival of our house. So many have lost theirs.
But, most importantly we are safe and sound (including the long companion Elan). The rest will take care of itself.
We got a visit from the sheriff advising us to vacate as the fire was coming our way.
So what do you take with you at such a moment?
One thing was absolutely clear to me: the Elan was not being left behind. Thankfully I just got it running after a 2 year rebuild.
So I grabbed my folder of Lotus papers going back to my original factory invoice (as original owner of 48 years). Threw the original workshop and parts manual behind the seat along with Buckland?s book. Left all the various minor bits that I am still working on (can be replaced).
Then collected the usual irreplaceable family photos and mementos into our SUV.
Then, an interesting discussion as we are just two. What about my wife?s Porsche (2006 Carrera S cabriolet)? With the Elan and the SUV, that left no one to drive the Porsche. My comment about the Porsche being easier to replace than the Lotus did not go over well. And the SUV was needed to transport our things plus 2 large dogs.
So, under pressure, we took 20 minutes to relocate the Porsche at a presumably safe nearby hotel parking lot.
Then, we decamped to safety at my daughter?s some 50 miles away. My wife in the SUV with the dogs and all the mementos and me separately in the Elan.
I had not driven the Elan that far since getting it back on the road in the last month. So still somewhat uneasy about some part of the car perhaps failing. I have completely gone through the car (engine, drivetrain, suspension, electrical, wheels, ...). Hundreds of hours and silly money.
One problem as I drove on in the twilight. I had been in the process of sorting out the headlights, so I had none.
But, I made it as darkness fell and no other problems. In fact, the car was quite impressive all round. Especially enjoying 181hp and 143 lb-ft.
Not to say, assuming I still have a house and my garage, that I will soon be going through a full safety checklist and retorquing of everything. I don?t want anything falling off at speed.
In limbo now as we watch the news for any signs of the letting up of this disaster and hoping for the survival of our house. So many have lost theirs.
But, most importantly we are safe and sound (including the long companion Elan). The rest will take care of itself.