My Lotus Barn

[lotus69f2]

My Type 61Mx started its career as an SCCA race car with no particular distinction. I picked it up about 15 years ago and have been racing it ever since. I originally painted it Blue with a longitudinal White stripe. I have since changed the stripe to transverse across the nose to evoke the privateer Lotus F1 cars of Rob Walker.

My car is about as original as you will find in an actively raced car. I still retain the Lotus Cortina Steel wheels, the original seat and steering wheel, and various other bits - like the large aluminum tank on the drivers right behind the engine. I have an replica Holbay stack for the carburator, but since it is unfiltered I don't use it to race.

The numbers also match the factory build sheet. These cars came with a chassis plate, but also have a number from Arch Motors - yes, the same people who build Seven chassis - stamped on the frame. My car was supplied with a Lotus Holbay engine (originally a Cortina based engine, now an uprated) and Hewland gearbox. The numbers on the Hewland, the Lotus Holbay rocker cover, frame, and chassis tag all match! Rare indeed for a car of such vintage.

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Kyle has been working on the property for some time now and has for some time been very discreet about the bits he has shared about his Lotus barn. I requested that he post up about his progress. So, I think it is highly unfair and judgmental for anyone to assume that this has anything to do with showing off.

The mere act of driving our cars in public causes many people to assume that we are show offs. This is one place that we should be able to share our joy and enthusiasm for our cars and garages without having to answer to such accusations.

Kyle, I think it is fair to say that most of us are very appreciative that you have been kind enough to share the story and photos of your garage and are sharing your joy.

Thank you Moto44.

The reason I hesitated to do the was the perception of showing off. I seek to inform and inspire others to enjoy Lotus as I do. That is why my name is visible in all of my posts and why I coordinate a local Lotus group and invite others to my place.

For as many of these that have been posted in this thread, I owe times 100 to the Lotus people who have shared their enthusiasm with me.

[Notorious L.R.G.]

Where is the gas tank? Is it that small aluminum thing on th back left? Can that hold even 2 gallons? I guess it only races short distances?

Keep it up...this is fun, like a guided tour of your mini-museum.

[khamai]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

Where is the gas tank? Is it that small aluminum thing on th back left? Can that hold even 2 gallons? I guess it only races short distances?

Fuel tank is under seat between the driver's back and the bulkhead between cockpit and engine. It's really a fuel cell. There are two tanks in the rear. The one cube shaped that's mounted above the transaxle is a catch can for the engine breather and the taller one next to the transaxle is the oil tank.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

P.S. I NEED to visit Kyle!!! Just awesome!!!

[Spudboy]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Kyle has been working on the property for some time now and has been very discreet about the bits he has shared about his Lotus barn. I requested that he post up about his progress. So, I think it is highly unfair and judgmental for anyone to assume that this has anything to do with showing off.

The mere act of driving our cars in public causes many people to assume that we are show offs. This is one place that we should be able to share our joy and enthusiasm for our cars and garages without having to answer to such accusations.

Kyle, I think it is fair to say that most of us are very appreciative that you have been kind enough to share the story and photos of your garage and are sharing your joy.

Showing off????!!

I think we all owe him $5 bucks for sharing his amazing cars with us!!

[ctpjudd]

Does this work like 'Facebook' and can we be your friends? We have our own Alloy PRB (7) ....son and I (in Aust).

Paul & Russ

[lotus69f2]

Kiyoshi,

Thanks for answering the Fuel cell questionn while I slept. The cell hold about 5 gallon. More than enough for a 30 minute sprint race (but not much more).

Why not stop by next year when you come to LOG30 in Gettysburg. I'm only a few hours away.


Paul and Russ,

Of course you can be my friends. My Barn is always open to other Lotus enthusiasts.

[DNA Doc]

Kyle,

Just wanted to offer my thanks for your posts here. This has been a most enjoyable look at your barn, your cars and their stories, and I am very glad you posted.

[lotusforsale]

It ain't braggin' if you can back it up.

Thanks, Kyle, for posting. Please keep them coming...

[lotus69f2]

Once fully ensconced in the Lotus culture I frequently went to both local and national events. One such event was the New Hope auto show which PALS participated in as a group. One of our members, Karl, lived across the Delaware river and hosted the group for a picnic after the show. Karl had a Lotus Seven, but did not limit his automotive enthusiasm to Lotus. He also had an old Mercer. This thing was an open car that could hold about 9 people. We, of course requested a ride, and he obliged. Riding around in a really old car gave a totally different perspective on how to have fun with an automobile. I decided then and there to get another Lotus. As old a Lotus as I could.

While I would have preferred a Mark IX, they were and are out of my price range, but the Mark VI certainly was in my range so I set about searching for one.

I found a newly restored example in Germany. I bought it based on pictures and proceeded with the importation process. The PO, Wolfgang, had the car restored by historic Lotus specialist Mike Brotherwood index . He had this crazy idea of making it look like Colin Chapman's personal car, but also wanted a racy look. Chapman had a custom set of clamshell wings made - prototypes for the Seven? - and had fully enclosed rear wheels. The only difference in appearance between his and mine is the bonnet. He had a 1500cc FOrd Consul engine which required a bonnet bulge. I have an 1172cc Ford engine that does not. Wolfgang also had cycle wings (standard Six eqipment), open rear wings, a fast back for the boot, a metal passenger side tonneau cover and an extra bonnet made. These, of course, came with the car.

[ashsimmonds]

Ace!

[lotus69f2]

The Mark VI is particularly significant in Lotus history because it was the first Lotus built from the ground up. The first 4 designs were all based on the Austin 7. As such, the chassis is pure Chapman. The VI, VIII, IX, and X all shared the same basic chassis with modifiaction to suit the bodywork and engine. As such they all run in the same number sequence. I don't know why, but mine was the last of the line - 149. 150 was an Eleven.

My car is powered by the Ford 1172cc side valve engine. The 750 Motor Club had a class for this engine which was very popular. Many early Lotus had similar engine. Mine also has some tuner equipment from a company called Aquaplane. Apparently the same engine was used for outboard motorboat racing and Aquaplane was a specialist in tuning the engine. The cars guys were also good customers. The head, intake, valve cover, and oil cooler are all Aquaplane parts.

[lotus69f2]

While the Six did have a unique Chapman designed chassis, it did - as subsequent Lotus have also - use many parts from other manufacturers. Engines could be the lowly 1172 that is in my car, or the Ford Consul 1500, the MG 1500, the Coventry Climax FWA/B, or anything else you wanted to shoehorn in.

Typically, the customer would come to Lotus and order a car. Then go to the breakers and get some Ford suspension bits, take them to Lotus and then Lotus would modify them for use in the Six. This can be seen in the pictures below. The front axles are from a Ford saloon. It was a solid piece that was cut in half, had brackets welded on, then turned upside down for installation. The trailing arms are also Ford bits that were cut and rewelded for the purpose. Steering wheel on my car was also a standard Ford piece.

Note also the original, though marred Club Lotus badge. It depicts a demon driver in a Six. The club was fully sanction by Lotus.

[kmhepler]

Originally Posted by lotus69f2

I hope I succeeded.

in spades, man.

[lotus69f2]

It was the acquisition of the Six that first got me going on the idea of a Lotus Barn. I didn't have space to store it. At first I kept it across town in a friends detached garage. That got old pretty quick, so I bought a car trailer and parked it in front of my house in the suburbs. That is until they made an ordinance saying I couln't do so. Then I parked it in my back yard.

Using a trailer is a viable alternative to garage space, assuming you have a place to store the trailer! And have a decent tow vehicle. It comes in handy to move stuff around also. I used it as a moving van when I built my new place.

Lotus sticker is a 2 sided logo intended for use in Lotus new car showrooms (it would show the logo both inside and outside the showroom).

[British_Marques]

Kyle, You have created a stunning workspace and collection. I can only hope to have such a great space. Would love to visit some time. That would be a heck of place for a GTG.

[lotus69f2]

THe Six also leaks oil. So a word on drip trays. I first used plastic cafeteria trays which work very well, but are small. When I bought my lift I picked up a dozen or so trays from Greg Smith Equipment. Their trays are sized nicely, stack onto one another, fit into the lift, and were relatively inexpensive. You can see them stacked on top of the cabinet I use as my library.

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

Keep it up...this is fun, like a guided tour of your mini-museum.

As long as I am giving the tour, I'll also highlight some of the artwork and other stuff.

Posters from LOG 14 (my first LOG) and LOG 19 (organized by LTer tvacc)

[British_Marques]

Have you considered taking the six to the Lord of the Manor British Car show in Pocono, PA. It is August 8th and there is an Austin Healey show that runs concurrently there too. The Aluminum on the six is beautiful.

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Kyle has been working on the property for some time now and has been very discreet about the bits he has shared about his Lotus barn. I requested that he post up about his progress. So, I think it is highly unfair and judgmental for anyone to assume that this has anything to do with showing off.

The mere act of driving our cars in public causes many people to assume that we are show offs. This is one place that we should be able to share our joy and enthusiasm for our cars and garages without having to answer to such accusations.

Kyle, I think it is fair to say that most of us are very appreciative that you have been kind enough to share the story and photos of your garage and are sharing your joy.

This is more than fine and a very nice collection of Lotus products that brings a smile and a tear to many of the Old Faithful here on Dogpatch.

Many of us are STILL distressed however about the Hoople's lack of a refrigerator ANYWHERE in this garage!

Have to say amigo that you'd make a great flack. Ever consider that line of work?