The story of my 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint and other cars

Welcome to my new website.

A long time classic car fan, I have owned a number of interesting cars starting with my first car, a 1965 pale blue Hillman Imp. At university I had a dark blue, rubber bumper MG Midget, complete with a Starsky and Hutch white flash (well it was the 1970s). Fitted with a matching Ashley hardtop the car looked like a small MGB GT. She was eventually sold a few years later to pay for a convertible, black and white, 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint. The Elan had 7 previous owners before me, so not bad for a 10 year old car, but in those days it seemed Elan owners did not keep their cars for long, I wonder why? I still own the car after 30 years so it can't all be bad! Until recently we also owned a 1973 white chrome bumper MGBGT. Although the Elan and the MG come from the same period there is a world of difference between them. The Elan has independent rear suspension and disc brakes all round, the MG has drum brakes and 'cart springs' at the rear with lever arm shock absorbers!

As well as the Elan we have a 1997 Alpina B10 (an amazing Q car) and have recently acquired a red 1987 Lotus Excel SE.

The Excel has just returned from the 2022 Ypres Lotus meet, an amazing show of over 120 Lotus cars of varying ages from around Europe held on the 26th of May, Ascension Day. Starting at the main square in Ypres this involves a 150km drive around the back roads of Flanders.