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LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:44 am
by Ross Robbins
Well we have made it to Marietta OH about 1,650 miles and both the Elan and Seven are running fine.The Seven's wipers quit in the rain today yet we soldiered on. This is day 5 and we are right on schedule. We had lunch with Eric (1964 S1) in Cincinnati today and look forward to lunch with Dan on Tuesday. We will see you all on Friday in Gettysburg. By the way LOUTS is Lotus Owners Up To Something and we are.

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:23 am
by 1964 S1
Hey you LOUTS, Thank You for an enjoyable visit Ross, Brian, Jeff and Rod.
I'm glad to hear you made it through our Indian territory unscathed.

Exiting the Queen City and back onto US 50.

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:31 pm
by dougweall
Hi Ross,

Great to hear your trip is just about going to plan. Tell Brian and Geoff that they will have to give chapter and verse of the trip at the next Nyloc meeting they make it to. Don't forget the photo's either.

Post up a bit more as you go Ross, we all like a progress report.

Hope it's ok to cross post yours on to the Nyloc site ? I know Brian and Geoff cannot be relied on for that. Or maybe you can post up your progress in Nyloc chat (Topic titled Brian and Geoff. ask Geoff about it).

Regards,

Doug.

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:03 pm
by collins_dan
The LOUTS are making steady progress to the Atlantic Ocean and should be there in time for a nice dinner. I left them a short time ago leaving Annapolis, Maryland. They remain in good spirits (both cars and men). Dan

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:48 am
by Ross Robbins
Well we made it to Ocean City right on schedule. Both cars are running great after 2,250 miles and after the wipers quit on the Seven and I bought some rain-x, I found out how good the stuff is. It never rained again! Man that is a good product! We have been averaging about 28 MPG on the Elan and 32 on the Seven. Not bad. Both cars are liking the cool moist air as the power is noticeably stronger than at home. I think I will have a few stories though by the time Ann and I get back. It was nice to have lunch with Dan today in Annapolis. Meeting folks I have only known via Elan .net is a treat from this trip I hadn't expected. See you all at LOG in a couple of days.

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 3:50 am
by 1964 S1
Way to go guys, did anyone take a dip in the Atlantic? I'll bet the crabcakes are a thousand percent better where you are than in Cincy...
Thank you four showing Lotus naysayers how it can be done.

You guys inspired me, I drove the +2 today... around the block.

POR, Eric

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 4:07 am
by garyeanderson
Hey Ross

Good to speak with you tonight. I did some looking around and found a fairly decent right hand cantrail. Still has the original gloss black paint on it. I wiped off the dirt and and gave it a light buff with a cotton cloth and there was a bit of luster under the 46 years of neglect. Anyway it's in the boot of the S2 and I got the makings of a fiberglass repair kit started. I'll stop over at my friend Willie Hough's and bum some resin tomorrow and bring the kit to see if "we" can do an on the road repair on your cantrail so you won't have to ship me back the beauty I have. The left side cantrail of the same set broke under the weight of itself hanging up in the furnace room for the last 15 years.

More gloss than my kitchen floor
Image
I found the cantrail spigot that I was missing on the cantrail, I was wondering why I had 5 and where the other one was.
Image

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 11:31 am
by Ross Robbins
Thanks, Gary. You are a prince to do that and I appreciate the power and friendship of this network more each day. Eric, just drive it dude! These cars get better when used well for their intended purpose. See you in Gettysburg.

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 4:26 am
by 1964 S1
HIGR

(How's it goin' Ross)

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:35 am
by Ross Robbins
Well, it is still going. And going. And going! We are in Belleville Kansas and hope to make it home tomorrow. The trouble we have had coming home has been with the Seven while the Elan is running fine. We have only added fluids especially transmission hypoid of which we are on the fifth quart, but less than a quart of oil and no water. Full report the first of next week when I get the cars home and catch up on sleep and laundry. Like the guy who fell off the top of the Empire State Building said as he passed the window washer on the 55th floor..."So far so good!"

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:45 pm
by Ross Robbins
Home. How nice to say that word. We had quite an adventure that is hard to quantify but here are a few data points.

Total miles: 4,141 Total estimated engine revolutions: 14,493,500 per car Total time on road 13 days,

Car problems:4. The Elan rear transmission seal was leaking and necessitated adding 5 quarts of hypoid oil and replacing the fill plug that was rounded off in an attempt to remove it. The Seven lost the wipers on the third day. It started leaking badly from the front main seal in Indianapolis and when it was replaced (in Gasoline Ally no less) they overtightened the belt and the generator bushings were ruined. I used a fan belt that eliminated the generator and ran a total loss system home without further problem.

Total time driving the Elan by my wife Ann before starting home from Gettysburg:3 minutes- 1/4 mile down our street and back. What a trooper and good sport.I am indeed a lucky man. How many of our significant others would have done this?

Friends made along the way: Too many to count. Special shout outs to Eric, Dan, Gary, Andrew, Mark, Mike, Geoff Rod and Brian...thanks to you all!!!

Best meal on the trip: Tri-Tip Steak in Bellville Kansas of all places. Yum!

Time before another trip of over 500 miles: How long does it take to recover from a sore butt?

Re: LOUTS to LOG

PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:30 am
by 1964 S1
The LOUTS' story is worthy of revisiting.
Up to something??? Like driving across the USA on US 50, and back home again in a car could be called daunting?
In forty five year old Lotuses it could be called FUN !
Thanks Ross, you've shown how good the "old" Lotuses are.

Naysayers take note.

Eric