New to forum, not to Lotus

[lotus69f2]

Hi,

I've been lurking for while and even made a few posts, but figured I'd introduce myself to those who like to know others in the Lotus community.

I bought my first Lotus in 1992 - an M100 Elan. Since then I've been seriously infected by the Lotus bug and have accumulated a nice collection of cars (see signature) and emphemera.

I have led Lotus Limited in the past, and am currently the coordinator for PALS (Philadelphia Area Lotus Society) - an affiliated group of Lotus Limited. I also started the PhillyLotus Yahoo group which I currently moderate.

While I do not own an Elsie I do have interest in all things Lotus from ancient history to the current goings on at Hethel.

I actively race 2 vintage Lotus, a Type 61 Formula Ford and a Type 69 in F2 trim (see avatar).

I live in Bethel, PA 19507, and will welcome any Lotus enthusiast who wishes to visit. I will be hosting a PALS Winter Planning Meeting in March that anyone in the area will be welcome to attend. Details will be posted in the events section of forum at appropriate time.

While it is unlikely I'll be a major contributor to the forum, I hope that when I do, those who read my posts will feel they are worthwhile.

[Randy Chase]

Hi Kyle. Welcome. Nice collection.

I really want to get a vintage Lotus to race.

[kestrel74]

Originally Posted by lotus69f2

While I do not own an Elsie I do have interest in all things Lotus

That's all that matters !!!

[mjf]

[Bavarian Motorist]

Welcome!!! I'd love to see your collection. Know any good roads in your parts?

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Hi Kyle. Welcome. Nice collection.

I really want to get a vintage Lotus to race.

Thanks Randy if you need advice as to which car to get and where to get it let me know

[tvacc]

I have known Kyle since like 96 i think.

Great guy and great Lotus guy.

[[mojo]]

Wow, NICE collection!

Welcome to the forum

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Welcome!!! I'd love to see your collection. Know any good roads in your parts?

I know many good roads. PALS and LEO (Do you know about LEO?) will be doing a few cooperative events this year. I will also be hosting a Lotus get together in August (and while I do not generally have the formula cars in PA - they spend most of their time in a race prep shop in Jersey) I will have the entire collection at my place at that time. That event will include a country drive and tour of an antique airplane museum that is down the road from me.

Of course you do not need to wait for an event. I live just off I78 halfway between Allentown and Harrisburg. If your coming through the area let me know ahead of time and I'll try to be there to show off my Lotus Barn (which when I get my race cars back to it and have a chance to take some pics will appear in Garage Mahal).

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by tvacc

I have known Kyle since like 96 i think.

Great guy and great Lotus guy.

Thanks Tony, Ditto

[Bavarian Motorist]

Thanks Kyle... You can take my Elise for a spin when we meet I look forward to the LEO event.

[kestrel74]

It's rare that we get a new member who KNOWS what questions to ask !! .....By the way...how is the Elan as a daily driver ?? JK JK !!!

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

.....By the way...how is the Elan as a daily driver ?? !!!

I assume you mean the M100. It is a pleasure to drive on a daily basis, though I must admit I do not do so. It is probably the most usable and reliable Lotus ever made, but can cut up the back roads with the best of them. Back in the day, Doc Bundy said it could do a faster time on LCU's Georgia Mountian test run than the contemparary Esprit. Not many around (545 or so sold in the US) and many are quite high milage, so it attests to its usability.

If you meant the Plus 2, I have only had it since Spring and it is RHD. It is very pleasant to drive, especially on the highway, but on twisty narrow roads with opposing traffic the RHD makes it a bit hard to place properly when driven with spirit. When contemporary, it would have been a really nice daily driver.

[PAelise]

Hi Kyle,
Looks like your not too far up the road from me. I may be interested in attending the PALS meeting and pretty much any event in decent weather. Keep us posted!

Andy

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by PAelise

Hi Kyle,
Looks like your not too far up the road from me. I may be interested in attending the PALS meeting and pretty much any event in decent weather. Keep us posted!

Andy

Andy,

If you are a member of Lotus Limited it will be listed in reMarque. Also reminders and posts will be on PhillyLotus. And I will definately post on Lotus Talk in the regional meets section. Mark your calendar for March 15.

[Yeti]

Welcome, You have at least 4 Elise/Exige owners just down the road in Harrisburg. I for one would love to see the cars and I am sure I am not alone in that. Scott

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by Yeti

Welcome, You have at least 4 Elise/Exige owners just down the road in Harrisburg. I for one would love to see the cars and I am sure I am not alone in that. Scott

That's why I came! I have been around Lotus for a long time and have made a lot of friend locally and around the world, but even the local guys are fairly far away. You probably have found there are precious few Lotus enthusiasts relative to other Maqrues. I'm always looking for new people to share the enthusiasm with. I'll expect a few of you Harrisburgers in March!

[Yeti]

Sounds great, I'll work on spreading the word.

[kmhepler]

Originally Posted by Yeti

Sounds great, I'll work on spreading the word.

Since I got my Elise in August, the only thing that seems to get more personal attention has been this forum. I was laying low for a few days trying to avoid the time suck until Yeti pointed this thread out to me.

Sounds like you have really absorbed the Lotus learning and culture big time in your years.

I grew up in Myerstown, Kyle, have relatives in Pottsville area and my grandparents ran gas stations for years along first old 22 then I-78 for years, the last located at what is now the Yahweh center off the Grimes exit. It is a smaller world and the distance from Harrisburg to Bethel is not all that great!

A road I only discovered as fun at the end of the fall and haven't had a chance to return is the stretch of US 61 from Pottsville to Reading--what a set of curves and hills albeit traffic is probably dicey many days.

Do include me for announcements for upcoming events. All the best.

[lotus69f2]

Originally Posted by kmhepler

I grew up in Myerstown, Kyle, have relatives in Pottsville area and my grandparents ran gas stations for years along first old 22 then I-78 for years, the last located at what is now the Yahweh center off the Grimes exit. It is a smaller world and the distance from Harrisburg to Bethel is not all that great!

Do include me for announcements for upcoming events. All the best.

Wow, it is a small world. I work in Pottville, and my home is only a few miles away from the Grimes exit. I already have a decent RSVP list from a post to PhillyLotus, some new blood from the surrounding area will be a nice surprise for the regulars. I am really looking forward to meeting some new enthusiasts. I will surely post to Lotus Talk not only my upcoming event in March, but all subsequent PALS events.