My Lotus Ownership – The Final Chapter

[Phil S1]

I have taken some considerable time thinking about this (around 18 months all told) but have now decided that after 19 fun-filled years my days of Lotus ownership have drawn to a close.

The Lotus seed was always there, right from me first going to the cinema as a child with my late father and seeing the Esprit in 'The Spy Who Loved Me', that and the later sight of those beautiful black and gold Lotus 79s dominating the F1 circuits in the hands of Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson. But it wasn’t until December 2003 that I finally found myself able to purchase a Lotus of my own – a Type 49 S1 Elise...it really was love at first sight. Here I am about to take my Dad out in my newly acquired pride and joy…

Prior to that a neighbour at the time had bought a brand new Nautilus blue S1 Elise and the moment I went round and sat in the driver’s seat I knew I had to have one, that was before he’d even turned the key and taken me on a more than spirited Summer’s evening blat in the Peak District! I enjoyed 14 fantastic years of ownership with the Type 49 doing virtually all the maintenance myself, adding loads of performance upgrades along the way. I tackled my first ever ‘track day’ along with my good Lotus friends Tim, Paul (Paul_C on here) and all Paul’s other mates by embarking on a road trip to Germany to tackle 8 tourist laps of the Nurburgring – an absolutely exhilarating experience but simultaneously terrifying! Ferraris, Dodge Vipers, Novas, motorbikes even coaches! You name it they were all out there sharing the circuit with us.

Happy days!

We had a great little gang of S1 Elises at that time, myself, Paul, Tim, Iain (ninarin) and Brian (Elise+Imp)… More of Brian later.

Many more proper track days came along in the years that followed, virtually all with Lotus on Track, on circuits such as Donington Park, Cadwell, Blyton, Silverstone and Rockingham, as well as road trips to Hethel for the factory and Classic Team Lotus tours and the Lotus 60^th celebration. I was also at the MLOC photo-shoot along with our daughter Laura, back in 2008 I think it was, at Tatenhill airfield near Burton on Trent (Just across the road from PJS Sports Cars as it now turns out). This was pre-drone days of course and we all waved merrily as the photographer passed by hanging out the side of a helicopter! If you look very carefully we are in there on this side of the letter O…

Then, over one Christmas in 2016, I decided the time had come for a change, I felt I had done all there was for me to do with my Type 49 and was feeling the need to have a V6 in my life, in the shape of an Evora. I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to part with my Type 49 so my initial intention had been to purchase an early launch edition Evora, run the two side by side for a year and then see how I felt after that. That thought went completely out of the window when I saw a much newer NA Sports Racer with just 9,000 miles on the clock advertised for sale at a Lotus dealer in Carlisle. In Carbon Grey and with the Venom Red interior I stood no chance! After some negotiation on price by mid-January my wife and I were on a train to Carlisle to bring it home. The additional outlay for the Sports Racer meant the Type 49 had to go and in a bizarre twist it was the previous owner of my newly acquired Sports Racer who subsequently purchased my Type 49, which is now enjoying life in Aberdeen. For a short while we were a two Lotus owning family…

The Sports Racer has been brilliant these past 5 years, the sublime ride ability of the Evora platform is well documented and the engine note of the V6 is something to behold. The power of the NA engine has been more than ample for my exploits on road with it, at no point did I ever think I needed the S. Ownership for me has been an entirely different proposition to the Type 49 though. Personally I could never contemplate using it on track like an Elise (although many do of course) and this time, rather than doing it myself, I decided to entrust all of the servicing to the much respected Lotus specialist - PJS Sports Cars. With the exception of a replacement master cylinder (and the obligatory front mud flap brackets) it has been faultless. I have enjoyed many MLOC runs and yet more trips to Hethel for tours and the 70^th celebration and then most recently to Goodwood with Daveb99 and smithpaulg last year for the Festival of Speed.

I took early retirement in December 2019, just prior to the pandemic and since that time found I was simply not giving the Lotus the use it deserved, Whilst you might think being retired would have given me more time to enjoy my Lotus I have found the opposite to be true. The extra time has been taken up by other interests, building and flying model aircraft in particular and it’s a shame to say that my Sports Racer was now spending most of its days tucked away in the garage under its cover. So as sad as I am to see it go I feel that now is the time for me to not only part company with my beloved Sports Racer but also to leave the Lotus fold altogether.

So there you have it, this year’s Lotus in the Peak was the very last event for me with my Sports Racer and having recently placed it in the very capable hands of PJS Sports Cars it is now already sold and today heading off with its new owner. Paul and his team had serviced and cared for my Sports Racer throughout my ownership so knew it inside out, I doubt you will ever find a more enthusiastic, caring and trustworthy team to look after your Lotus, be it a dealer or specialist so I would highly recommend them to the new owner or indeed any other Lotus owner or prospective buyer.

The Lotus community is fantastic and nowhere more so than here on MLOC. I have made countless friendships along the way many of which I hope will continue for years to come. I’ve been at every Lotus in the Peak event and helped with the organisation on more than a few occasions along the way too (ably assisted by my family).

2016 - One of the Sunday morning site set-ups at Chatsworth…Move along please, we have a show to put on!

Over the years it has given me immense pleasure (and at times pain) to see Lotus in the Peak grow from the initial MLOC 10^th anniversary get-together at Chatsworth held in 2012 to what is now a fully charitable event and the largest annual Lotus gathering anywhere within the UK, possibly even the world! Returning to Chatsworth this last weekend (thanks entirely to elisemadray) and having way in excess of 300 Lotus in attendance from as far away as Ireland, Belgium and even Hungary, plus raising around £8500 for Rainbows in the process has been the icing on the cake for me and all the LitP team too I’m sure. Everyone within the vast LitP team should be rightly proud of what we have achieved together.

Lotus in the Peak 2022 – 07:45am – it all looked a little different a few hours later!

There are so many friendships I have made through both my Lotus ownership and the MLOC forum, I can’t possibly name them all but there are a few I would like to give a special mention to:-

Firstly Mark H or Mr. MLOC as I often refer to him – The man behind MLOC for the past 20 years without whom much of all this would never have been possible. Your loyalty to the Lotus brand and the friendly welcoming nature that MLOC has always prided itself on are a credit to you. You deserve a knighthood in my opinion!

Martin R – You do not post on the forum as frequently these days but your countless build logs of the work you did on your Elises were an inspiration for me. Prior to my Elise purchase I had very limited mechanical knowledge around cars but seeing your posts and having the knowledge of the MLOC massive on hand gave me the confidence to tackle most jobs, from clam removals to full suspension refreshes. Even to this day you’re still on hand mentoring the next generation such as Ethan with his Dad richbk in the restoration of their S1 Elise. You are an MLOC legend. Thank you.

Despite all the MLOC support there were still some jobs I could never quite summon the confidence to fully do myself – cue Brian (Elise+Imp). Again someone who doesn’t frequent MLOC these days but whenever it came round to cambelt change time or the more tricky stuff like cam upgrades he was the person I would turn to. A one-time work colleague, fellow Lotus owner and supremely talented engineer who can turn his hand to anything – I apologise now for all the times I dragged you up from Warwickshire to get me out of my latest pickle!

Duncan (duncx) – Like Brian and Martin (maybe it’s an engineer thing, I’m not sure) but you have been someone I seemed to instantly bond with and having performed the lead role for LitP on occasion like myself are one of only a handful of people who truly know the challenges of managing an event of such scale. You have been the calming voice of reason and someone I felt I could always turn to for sound advice. Thank you Duncan, I will always treasure your friendship.

I wish MLOC and you all the very best, particularly all those and their families who have worked tirelessly over the years in making Lotus in the Peak the fabulous event it has become – May you have much continued success for many years to come! I will always have a love of the Lotus brand so will remain a member here on MLOC and hopefully pop along to some future event for a catch up.

Anyway, I’ve rambled on for far too long I know so I’ll sign off before my final chapter becomes an entire book. I have a plane that needs finishing and I need to get back out into the hills flying them again!

All the very best!

Phil (No longer with an S1)

[duncx]

Phil, let me be the first (well, the first on this thread!) to say a big 'thank you', not only from me but I'm sure from the whole of MLOC. Without your supremely professional efforts (and the help of your most excellent family!) there would have been many years when Lotus in the Peak simply couldn't have taken place. Everybody on the LitP team from every year knows that when Phil says he will do something, it gets done, without delay and to perfection.

On a personal note I want to say that I will very much miss seeing you on the Sunday runs etc but I understand that sometimes it's just time to move on. You can't get rid of me that easy though,  I will definitely be hassling you for some flying instruction soon

Phil, have a great retirement from work and Lotus , please give Jan and Laura a thank you hug on my behalf

Cheers

Duncan

P.S. Great write up btw, really enjoyed reading it!

[chris_h]

Like everything you do Phil a brilliant post to end on.  

You and your family have been fantastic with all your efforts both publicly and behind the scenes as a director of Mloc.  
Enjoy your retirement and the model planes!!

Thank you

[Elisemadray]

Phil there will always be a bit of the S1 in you  it has been a Pleasure knowing you, you have been a superb ambassador for MLOC, backed always by Jan and Laura, The Lotus Loss is the Model plane Gain, I will miss your Calming wisdom and wish you every happiness for the future,

Thank you 

Ray

 

[kayj_prod]

Phil, what a wonderful account of your time within MLOC. You mention a lot about members who guided you, but don’t forget the support how that guidance filtered through you too. I remember your steel rule and spreadsheet setting up my geo on my S1!

It shows how much of a family MLOC is- you and yours were there for me when I was going through a tough time and it is always appreciated.

Enjoy the modelling and may your wings always stay attached. 
Keith

[Luke Seagrave]

Phil,

         That was a wonderful account of your time with MLOC and Lotus. I wish you well with your planes and hope you get to enjoy retirement. You have always been gracious with your knowledge on the occasions we have spoken. 

Wish you all the best,

Ps: loved those images in your post. 

Thanks,

Luke

[PJT]

Phil,  Sad to see you go.

You will be missed.

[Phil Hutchins]

Wow…what a fantastic write-up and tribute, thx for the detailed history! Have a great retirement, Phil. 
 

(PS I thought that was you in the passenger seat in photo 1!!)😂

[Paul_C]

The end of a great era. You’re advice when I bought my car (in 2005) was invaluable, we have had some great times over the past 17 years. 
 

I’ll pop round and see you sometime soon. 
 

all the best 

[Phil S1]

Thank you all for the kind comments, it really does feel like a second retirement for me...

Duncan, I will be sure to message you whenever we're heading up to hills around you, hopefully on a better day than last time we attempted it 

Keith - As Jan told you on Sunday you will always be welcome anytime you're passing and it was a pleasure helping you with the geo on your S1 and getting her ready for that epic Scandinavian road trip you went on.

Phil - Yes I'm starting to see the resemblance more and more each day, I'm still working on the grey hair but getting there 

Paul - The time with our little gang of S1s will always be the most memorable of my Lotus ownership. I can't believe after all this time I was the only one ever to sell mine, mind you I'm not sure some of the others would be fit to sell these days  That you still have yours, having used it as a daily pretty much all of the last 17 years is an amazing achievement and it still looks stunning to this day! Please do pop round, I'd love to see your Elise and all your family too of course - I'll leave you to figure out how to achieve that one 

[Mutley00]

A sad loss to the MLOC and indeed the Lotus community. I have fond memories of when we first met and parking (admittedly SWMBOs' Elise) next to you at MLOC Chatsworth in 2014. I'll even forgive you for not selling me yours, so I had to wait for an S2 Type 49 to come along 😃

Enjoy Lotus retirement and maybe I'll catch you flying one of your models sometime soon.

Regards, Andrew

 

[Mutley00]

Bloody Hell - I've just been having a look through all the piccies of LitP 2014 and found this very very strange piccy of Mr Bower!

 

[Phil S1]

On 15/07/2022 at 22:16, Mutley00 said:

A sad loss to the MLOC and indeed the Lotus community. I have fond memories of when we first met and parking (admittedly SWMBOs' Elise) next to you at MLOC Chatsworth in 2014. I'll even forgive you for not selling me yours, so I had to wait for an S2 Type 49 to come along 😃

Enjoy Lotus retirement and maybe I'll catch you flying one of your models sometime soon.

Regards, Andrew

 

Thanks Andrew, you know I always secretly hankered after that Esprit you had back then too 🙂

[Mutley00]

2 hours ago, Phil S1 said:

Thanks Andrew, you know I always secretly hankered after that Esprit you had back then too 🙂

You wouldn't want it any more matey!!  I sold it in July 2014, and I think the new owner must have tried to emulate the underwater Esprit in it. Have a wince at the MOT for 2017 - https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/   reg N339 HCL😮

[Phil S1]

2 hours ago, Mutley00 said:

You wouldn't want it any more matey!!  I sold it in July 2014, and I think the new owner must have tried to emulate the underwater Esprit in it. Have a wince at the MOT for 2017 - https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/   reg N339 HCL😮

Wow 😲 And this is why I never had the bottle to actually go out and buy one 😄