Dave Freeman
Address Withheld
25th January, 2007
As a Lotus owning (but penurious) Pom since 1974, I shipped my Lotus Elan to Australia thinking I'd be well and truly on my own. Who'd care about an obscure 30 year old Lotus car, halfway round the world from where it was already hard enough to keep on the road?
Even Chapman didn't claim a Lotus would last forever. Far from it, he was understandably more interested in making you a new one.
But a Melbourne outfit called Lotus Marques goes a long way to bridge the gap. Those of us trying to cherish our cars far longer than any lifetime "Chunky" had in mind are very lucky to have Steve Taylor on our side.
With the latest predictable demise of my Lotus twin cam water pump, it looked like the timing cover (after years of corrosion) was a "gonner" too. Contacting sources in the UK only produced pessimism and much expensive sucking of teeth. I needn't have worried. The team at Lotus Marques restored the casting like new AND fitted a superior ceramic seal, plus pressure tested it, into the bargain. Complete with other parts, the whole project cost far less than a new cover from Britain.
They gave patient advice and invaluable tips as well, while I put everything back together. Despite labouring in his workshop, stocking a comprehensive parts range, developing improved products and keeping up with every new Lotus under the sun, Steve also answers the phone: impressive personal dedication.
In my experience, no similar restoration service is available in Britain. Lotus owners round the world would be well advised to use Lotus Marques. Due to them, my water pump's smooth as silk (and engine nice and quiet with a new timing chain, state-of-art head gasket and one of Steve's space age breather pipes keeping things oil-tight) all for less than UK prices.
Australia's a great place to own and run a Lotus - thanks to Lotus Marques!
Gratefully yours,
DAVE THE HAPPY DROPHEAD SPRINT DRIVER,
Newcastle NSW
Address Withheld
25th January, 2007
As a Lotus owning (but penurious) Pom since 1974, I shipped my Lotus Elan to Australia thinking I'd be well and truly on my own. Who'd care about an obscure 30 year old Lotus car, halfway round the world from where it was already hard enough to keep on the road?
Even Chapman didn't claim a Lotus would last forever. Far from it, he was understandably more interested in making you a new one.
But a Melbourne outfit called Lotus Marques goes a long way to bridge the gap. Those of us trying to cherish our cars far longer than any lifetime "Chunky" had in mind are very lucky to have Steve Taylor on our side.
With the latest predictable demise of my Lotus twin cam water pump, it looked like the timing cover (after years of corrosion) was a "gonner" too. Contacting sources in the UK only produced pessimism and much expensive sucking of teeth. I needn't have worried. The team at Lotus Marques restored the casting like new AND fitted a superior ceramic seal, plus pressure tested it, into the bargain. Complete with other parts, the whole project cost far less than a new cover from Britain.
They gave patient advice and invaluable tips as well, while I put everything back together. Despite labouring in his workshop, stocking a comprehensive parts range, developing improved products and keeping up with every new Lotus under the sun, Steve also answers the phone: impressive personal dedication.
In my experience, no similar restoration service is available in Britain. Lotus owners round the world would be well advised to use Lotus Marques. Due to them, my water pump's smooth as silk (and engine nice and quiet with a new timing chain, state-of-art head gasket and one of Steve's space age breather pipes keeping things oil-tight) all for less than UK prices.
Australia's a great place to own and run a Lotus - thanks to Lotus Marques!
Gratefully yours,
DAVE THE HAPPY DROPHEAD SPRINT DRIVER,
Newcastle NSW