SENC

1969 Lotus Elan S4. This is the car that stoked my interest in wrenching on cars. My dad bought it from the first (maybe second) owner around 1980 - it had been used for rallies and the like. Dad always liked these little cars and had grown up working on cars, so this one that needed some love was perfect for him. He restored it mechanically and had it resprayed (original color), and it was a daily driver for him for a number of years. He also rallied it a bit. I bought it from him about 10 years ago, as he had gotten to the age he couldn't get under it to work on it anymore - and 20+ years after it's restoration (a lot of them outside), it was needing a refresh. I'd never really worked on cars other than helping him as a child. I started out working on the brakes and then suspension, and found I really enjoyed it. The gearbox leaked badly, so it came out (with the engine) and I rebuilt it. The car is off the road again now as I need to investigate a valve issue. A hugely fun little car.

I have custom-molded plugs from BigEar - though there are several other similar companies. I'm a hunter and shooter so initially had their pure noise suppression for those sports, so when I wanted a combination of exterior noise suppression and access to phone/music I used them again. I went wired, but have a small, cheap BT transmitter with a noise suppression mic it plugs into. Telephone/music quality is perfectly acceptable, though I generally have everything off as I prefer the car sound. On the latter, the plugs cut down the volume and the wind noise enough to protect my ears and keep me from getting road-weary... but let me hear enough to be aware of whats going on in the car and it's surroundings.

You'll like the Pirellis. I put a set on mine (took off a way outdated and hard set of Pirellis). They look the part and ride great - a perfect match for our light and nimble cars - and better on our diffs than wider, stickier tires.

I agree!

Amazing range from unripe blueberry to raspberry jam - a car as fruity as its owner! Seriously, congratulations on finally having her home, she looks great.

Holy shit, it's purple!

Maybe we need to start a pool. I want keys, just can't decide between ignition keys and locking wheel nut key.

Jerk!

What's inside?

Hoping for no more surprises or delays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

If it were only purple.

On a brighter front, how's the NSX?

Thanks! How could I forget?!?

What's the latest? Has Barney been liberated? Do we need to start a protest?

Got offered a deal I couldn't turn down recently, and now own a 1988 Mercedes 560SL. Definitely no lightness added to these vehicles, but a nice car nonetheless. As with all 30+ yo cars it will need some service and TLC - I'm finding some good support at benzworld.org, but nothing like we have here for our Sevens! So, this is first and foremost a post of thanks for this great community that readily shares ideas, expertise, and advice. Secondly, if there are any other 560SL owners among the group, perhaps we can share notes and tips as I learn how to maintain my new car.

What's really in that container? https://www.postandcourier.com/business/feds-seize-2-fast-2-furious-car-say-north-charleston-business-illegally-imported-vehicle/article_7a36ee46-3a5b-11e7-bacd-f34ca15bbbca.html

I imported an old Seven in late 2019. The best advice I can give is to hire an agency/company that specializes in importing vehicles to assist. There is a lot of good information on the import process on the web - just Google importing a car to the US. My take home after researching was that though importing is reasonably simple, there are a number of areas for potential problems that can have high risk/cost, up to and including a vehicle not getting approved at port of entry. An experienced company and agent can significantly reduce the risk of a big issue. I used Schumacher for an all-inclusive import - from document assistance on the export side to shipping contracting to document assistance on the import side. They also identified an import/export attorney to serve as my rep at the port of entry to make sure things kept moving at customs, DOT/EPA, and the warehouse. I think I figured the process cost me a little over $1k more than if I'd done it solo, but it gave me some piece of mind and also likely saved me some warehousing and delay costs. They were particularly helpful in determining best and most cost effective method of shipping and export port. On my own, I may have chosen a roll-on/roll-off method to save money, but with their assistance I ended up shipping in a container at not too much more cost and knowing it had been packed well and would be more protected. As for strength of the dollar, that should definitely be useful - but while down from their peak, my understanding is shipping costs are still fairly high so that may eat and currency exchange gains. Good luck!

Looks great!

Meh, what could go wrong in port?

tick tock

Good luck!

There was import/DOT/EPA paperwork that had to be filed when I did mine and I couldn't be on-site as it cleared to do that - so I had to have a broker and give power of attorney to file that paperwork on my behalf. May be different in your circumstance, but definitely check with Caterham and the shipper.