Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/07/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I had a Lotus S2 - two 2-barrel Webers. It was a RIP to drive but needed lots of TLC as cars of that era did. I loved the close-ratio gearbox and how it would leap ahead with the slightest urging. Stopped darn well too! Of course it would never pass today's crash tests but I'd love a modern Lotus roadster to be a retake on the Elan. The top can leak, that's okay! Adam On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Frank Dernie <Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com>wrote: > The Elan S4 was a favourite of mine. It had Stromberg carbs which gave more > power and broader torque band than the more fashionable Webers, and better > fuel consumption. It was surprisingly roomy for such a tiny light car. > Frank > > > On 11 Jul, 2009, at 00:42, Jerry Lehrer wrote: > > Dennis und Frank >> >> The original Europa mit Renault engine was a dog! But the original >> Elite, if it had modern brakes would really be >> a windy road car. The Elan S2 when de-bugged is a superb handling car. >> >> Yes, I've used them all >> >> Jerry Lehrer >> >> >> Dennis wrote: >> >>> Hi Frank, >>> >>> I wondered your thoughts on Lotus' road cars. I had a Europa Special and >>> it is a marvel. Very light, incredible suspension, and so responsive. I >>> thought Colin Chapman brilliant and was stunned at his premature passing. >>> >>> I could never afford one of todays 'supercars' but if I could I would >>> likely own a Lotus and use some of that "leftover" money for a worthy >>> cause. >>> >>> I agree the Veyron is an ugly piece ;-) >>> >>> But, Lotus aside, what do you make of the Ariel Atom? >>> >>> Dennis >>> >>> >>> Frank Dernie wrote: >>> >>>> Pagani Zonda. >>>> For "frequent" use Ferrari 599. >>>> For daily use Porsche 911 turbo. >>>> For pure driving Lotus anything. >>>> >>>> There are lots of cars about which have fancy styling and are "2 seat >>>> limos" with loads of kit, weight and electronic driving aids to make >>>> them >>>> easy to drive for less good drivers. >>>> These are great pose-mobiles and practical for a rich person of limited >>>> talent to show-off in. >>>> >>>> I may have left some out, I am neither wealthy enough nor interested >>>> enough to study in detail. Weight is the most important chassis >>>> parameter >>>> for performance. Road cars are to a great extent a fashion item and >>>> image >>>> statement. Published stuff tends to be acceleration and top speed. It is >>>> possible to get impressive figures for these without much chassis >>>> sophistication at all. Since weight is currently not something >>>> fashionable >>>> to minimise "supercars" are now as heavy as trucks, hence no longer >>>> supercars IMO. This Bugatti thing weighs the same as 2 Ford GT40s! >>>> >>>> To put perspective on this, +10kg on a F1 car loses over 0.3 secs per >>>> lap. >>>> >>>> Frank >>>> >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >