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Originally Posted by lotusport
...next Wednesday at Ferrari (Lotus) of Denver to get my pencil shifter replaced on the recall.
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But took her in today instead because the forecast for Denver is for
snow (some
real snowfall: 4" - 8")
! I can't believe my good fortune, though. I've been driving with the top off for the past three days in 66-74 degree weather, beautiful clear skies. Didn't want to go back to my office; I really wanted to play hooky for the rest of the day. Ah, well...
I asked when I got the work done if I could keep the old unit for a souvenir (garage wall art). They said they'd called Dave Simkin to ask. No such luck, though they did let me keep the original shift ball. I noticed the recess for the setscrew in the new one before I'd even left their lot. Now I have to paint the pattern again on the new one.
I could also tell the difference easily in the stout feel of the shifter. Much more of a "snick-snick" feel than before. It surprised me, then, to find that the stick is not noticeably thicker than the hexagonal "pencil" that was there before. Maybe like going from a No. 2 pencil to a round, thicker pencil like the ones they used to give us in first grade for writing practice.
Once again, I received good professional treatment from a dealer that has definitely matured since their move from their old location. The new location south of Denver is a magnificent facility with an expansive showroom -- that had three AR (or whatever the equivalent "new" color is called) Lotuses on the floor: two Elises and a new Exige. It was fun to see the Exige side-by-side with a pair of sibling Elises. Neat to compare the detail differences.
The comparo reaffirmed my decision to replace the plastic slits/slats/strakes on Ellie with the hex expanded metal mesh that so smoothly covers the various openings on the Exige. I came home and seriously shopped the 'net for the proper mesh and have four 4x4-foot sheets on request. Not purchased, since every supplier seems to be a manufacturer or distributor, but I found two that seem to be willing to deal with an individual.
Finally had to put Ellie to bed for a few days. Don't want to risk 'er on snow- and ice-covered roads. I'll just let 'er nap till the bad stuff (including the sand and salt) goes away. What the heck, it will probably be in the seventies again soon enough. This
is (almost) springtime in the Rockies after all.