[Leica] speaking of cars violently OT

[frank.dernie at btinternet.com (FRANK DERNIE)]

Hi Dennis,
your comments about the Europa are spot on, though the Renault engined 
original was not -that- bad!
The Renault engine/transmission needed minimal mods to fit so was a really 
economical solution to the mid-engined sportscar.
The Lotus twin-cam engine, which actually has 3 camshafts, was based on a 
modified Ford block but with a lot of low volume expensive modifications so 
was quite a lot more expensive for the performance increment. Super car 
though.
Personally I favour the front engine rear gearbox for a road car.
Yesterday I was at an ex Lotus/Williams colleagues wedding in Norfolk. One 
of the other guests was my old pal Mike Kimberley who is, again, boss of 
Lotus Cars. The wedding was only about 3 miles from the Lotus factory so he 
arranged for the new Lotus Evora to be brought over for us to look at.
Really nice! Comfortable and roomy too. I had been toasting with champagne 
so will have to wait for a test drive! It is a mid engined 2x2 seater, 
toddlers only in the back!
cheers,
Frank


--- On Sat, 11/7/09, Dennis <dennis at hale-pohaku.net> wrote:

> From: Dennis <dennis at hale-pohaku.net>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] speaking of cars violently OT
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
> Date: Saturday, 11 July, 2009, 9:09 AM
> You should have driven the Europa
> Special. Lotus addressed the anemic Renault engine by
> putting in the Lotus engine used in the Elan. The Europa
> Special had the "Big Valve" engine rated at 126 HP.
> 
> In the US, at least, it used the Stromberg carbs that Frank
> mentioned.
> 
> The Renault engine was used for some tax or common market
> reason to allow Lotus to sell a car on the continent at a
> better price.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> 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
> >> 
> > 
> > 
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> > 
> 
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