Hi from Poulton-le-Fylde

[otolith]

Hi! I moved back up north last year after nearly 20 years in the south west. I am originally from Manchester, but my family have migrated to the seaside while I have been away, so I have moved to the Fylde.

I have a 111R that I have owned for nearly ten years. I was recently thinking about trading it in for a newer supercharged car, but have decided to spend some money on it and keep it instead. It’s currently missing the passenger seat and most of the interior, which are away at the trimmers. Going in next week to have the rest done and everything refitted. Can’t wait to see it. Next job is to sort the paint out, then a suspension refresh (dampers are new, but the rest of it needs doing).

With interior, bodywork and suspension all sorted, that will just leave one more tiny little upgrade to stop me lusting after a newer SC...

[Rob P]

Hi and welcome, sounds like a busy period getting the car sorted, hope it all meets with your expectations when completed. Assume it will be done to enjoy the summer and hope to see some pictures of it when completed.

[otolith]

Cheers Rob.

Interior should be sorted in a couple of weeks. I've got the Trim Technician doing it - good reputation in TVR circles, and his work looks very good to me. I'll get some photos up once it's done. Then I'll talk to the paintshop. Going to use Bob at Knight Autobodies in Cleveleys. No idea what his lead times are, though.

It is well overdue a service on time, I used to get it done annually at a specialist down south, but to be honest with the mileage it has been doing that was massive overkill. Last service I had down there was end of 2017, it had done less than 1000 miles since the previous one, and I got "Drive it more!!!" written on the advice slip I've only put a couple of thousand miles on it since then, so I think I'll get the paint and interior done before the summer and look to get it serviced and the suspension refresh done towards the end of the summer.

The supercharger is going to be a big chunk of cash, I think that might have to wait until I get round to selling my Z4M.

[whitergb]

Welcome to Norlog!

Look forward to seeing the car when it’s finished.

[otolith]

[nelly111s]

Welcome to Norlog.

Rob's paintwork is great. I'm not sure what his lead times are, but it's worth waiting
Nelly

[otolith]

Good to know. Hopefully not a massive job - little bit of fibreglass under the chin, few chips and scuffs. Main thing is that the paint protection film is past it, so I want it removed and any resulting defects made good.

[Dave C]

Welcome back to the civilised part of the world

Look forward to seeing the car at a meet sometime soon

[otolith]

Aye, it's good to be back where people are friendly to strangers.

Had a chat with John (the trimmer) earlier, the seat embroidery isn't back yet, but the dipped parts are ready to be picked up so it's coming along well.

[otolith]

Hmm, washed all the cars today, and noticed that the fibreglass pox on the passenger door has advanced. I had the driver’s door done a few years ago (took them a couple of goes to fix it in the end) and was watching the passenger side, but it now has a burst blister. Something else for Bob to fix.

[Nathan]

Welcome back! I saw your posts on Seloc and was following with interest as I'm at a similar crossroads with my 111R. Look forward to seeing pics of the retrim.

As an aside I've been lusting after a Z4MC for years, in fact it was a toss up between that, a Z3MC and my 111R years ago when I chose the Lotus. Z3MC prices have gone crazy and Z4M prices have been creeping up steadily too.. Any particular reason why you're considering selling that instead of the Elise?

[otolith]

My late wife was a petrolhead. I bought her an AX 1.5D to practice for her test in. Literally the week she passed, she chopped it in for an MX-5. Then after a few years she decided that was too slow, and got a 350Z. When it came time to change that, she bought the Z4M. After she died, I kept it for sentimental reasons, but it’s not really my cup of tea. Truly lovely engine and amusingly uncouth with the stability control off, and doesn’t feel half as lardy as the 350Z did, but definitely suffers from Elise syndrome - after the Lotus, anything normal feels like a boat.

It’s been three years now, I have three cars, the Lotus, BMW and a Merc 320CDI estate for dog and fishing duties, and I just don’t drive the sports cars enough. The first of the seat memories still has Katie’s settings. I think maybe I should let go of it.

[Tickle]

Welcome. I seen some of your posts on PH regarding your interior refurb.

[Nathan]

My late wife was a petrolhead. I bought her an AX 1.5D to practice for her test in. Literally the week she passed, she chopped it in for an MX-5. Then after a few years she decided that was too slow, and got a 350Z. When it came time to change that, she bought the Z4M. After she died, I kept it for sentimental reasons, but it’s not really my cup of tea. Truly lovely engine and amusingly uncouth with the stability control off, and doesn’t feel half as lardy as the 350Z did, but definitely suffers from Elise syndrome - after the Lotus, anything normal feels like a boat.

It’s been three years now, I have three cars, the Lotus, BMW and a Merc 320CDI estate for dog and fishing duties, and I just don’t drive the sports cars enough. The first of the seat memories still has Katie’s settings. I think maybe I should let go of it.

Sorry to hear about your wife, I can completely understand keeping hold of her car. If there's no real need to sell it then why not keep hold of it? They've certainly got all the makings of a future classic.. I'd love to have one alongside the lotus, even if it was mostly tucked away in a garage..

[21GG]

Hello, from poulton here too!
Dont see many lotus round here, what colour is your 111r?

Gav

[Thommo]

Welcome from Garstang. Hope car is soon back to rude health and ready for use

[otolith]

Hi Gav,

It’s Starlight Black. I have seen a few Elises knocking about, but not when I have been in mine. Will try to use it more once the work is done.

[otolith]

Welcome from Garstang. Hope car is soon back to rude health and ready for use

Cheers Thommo!

[otolith]

Got it back today, very pleased with it!

https://youtu.be/O8Rctqu1RM4

[Dave C]

Wow, looks great

Expensive???

[otolith]

Cheers!

£1800 in total, which is a fair chunk of cash but I think is fair for the amount of work that went into it, materials, the contracted out carbon dipping, etc.

[mikeydude]

I think that's a good price for all that work

[Jono]

Nice job and welcome! We were admiring some of the work being done on your trim when we visited the Trim Technician a few weeks ago.

If you fancy a run out and would like to show it off, there's a NORLOG north meet next Wednesday 1st May, at the Hoghton arms Withnell, PR6 8BL. From 6.30pm onwards.

[otolith]

Yeah, I'm happy with what I paid.

Very impressed with John and Kath - they were saying that they hope to get some more Lotus work, and I think they really deserve to.

I'll try to get out to the Hoghton Arms if I can, would be great to meet people.

[Jono]

Yeah, I'm happy with what I paid.

Very impressed with John and Kath - they were saying that they hope to get some more Lotus work, and I think they really deserve to.

I'll try to get out to the Hoghton Arms if I can, would be great to meet people.

Hope you can make it.