I-Spy Classic Cars/Bikes-What have you spotted?

[CitroJim]

I am expecting a different answer from our Citrojim , and the little Renault gets my vote by a mile!

You're right Neil...

It's the yellow one for me I've never liked the Soggy Moggy to be honest... Don't know why but I have no love for them... Not even the wooden traveller..

The Renault I love and not only because it's yellow

[mickthemaverick]

In truth I wouldn't have either of them but my choice was based on the Moggy being a smily looking car while the Renault looks snarly!!

[CitroJim]

the Renault looks snarly!!

You're right Mick, it does! I think it's just got a case of 'little car syndrome' and tells the world it means business and can punch above it weight

[CitroJim]

A nice orange Lotus seen during my bike ride today...

An object of desire...

I'd love one of these in my dream garage

[myglaren]

Part French too!

[CitroJim]

Part French too!

Oh yes... Is it the one with an SM gearbox and CX door mirrors?

[myglaren]

I thought it was a Renault gearbox but may be wrong there.

[Peter.N.]

Do they make a diesel estate?

Peter

[CitroJim]

Do they make a diesel estate?

be good if they did

I thought it was a Renault gearbox but may be wrong there.

I'm not sure Steve but I'm sure someone will soon put us both right

[Hell Razor5543]

I just hope it is not an S&M gearbox!

[mickthemaverick]

I believe that is a Lotus Excel which was fitted with CX mirrors from 89 onwards. It would seem it used a Toyota gearbox, I think the Renault box was used in the earlier Lotus Europa from memory. Basically the Elite evolved into the Eclat and then into the Excel pretty quickly after the Europa was discontinued. That bit is from my memory so open to challenge. The Excel facts are here.

[NewcastleFalcon]

I thought it was a Renault gearbox but may be wrong there.

I'm not sure Steve but I'm sure someone will soon put us both right

Not that I know, not even sure what version of the Lotus it is, but it has one very obvious part from another vehicle on display in the photograph, the full story of which is here

https://www.aronline.co.uk/opinion/morr ... orhandles/

Austin Allegro
Innocenti Regent
Triumph TR7
Triumph TR8
Range Rover four-door
Land Rover Discovery Series I
Honda Crossroad
Lotus Elite
Lotus Eclat
Lotus Esprit
Ginetta G15 (late models)
Ginetta G21
Elswick Envoy
Trident Venturer (1977)
Reliant Scimitar SE6
Africar

Non-production cars

Triumph SD2
Triumph-Morris 1 (joint Marina and Dolomite replacement)
Triumph Lynx
Towns Minissima
Bohanna-Stables Diablo (AC 3000 ME)
TVR Zante

Kit cars

Stevens Cipher
Dutton Legerra
GTM Coupe
UVA M6 GTR

[harryp]

Yes Europa box fitted, and the standard box from the Renault Fuego gave 5 speed which was an exact fit.

[NewcastleFalcon]

If I had to guess I would say that Jims lotus could well be a Lotus Esprit

Lotus esprit S1 Orange

Regards Neil

[myglaren]

Agreed. The company I worked for had a client (a hairdresser) who turned up in one. The management were green as it far outshone their company cars.

It was only later that I learned that they had a Renault gearbox, from a 21 I believe. Not confirmed but mentioned in several places as being the weak point of the car.

As far as looks go, the best Lotus I have seen.