Thinking of a naked Escape

[rbryan4]

Never got the opportunity to drive an Elan but am certain the Miata, as good as it was, is no Elan in the handling department. For God's sake its a Lotus.

You might be shocked. I've driven Elans hare in San Antonio when I was active in SCCA. While the Elan is much smaller than a Miata (didn't think that was possible till I saw one and drove one), My 2004 MazdaSpeed Miata could actually outcorner the Elan and was slightly better in the skid pad tests. Alas, it's gone now, to make room for my truck...

 

[Santiago-ESC]

While the Elan is much smaller than a Miata (didn't think that was possible till I saw one and drove one), My 2004 MazdaSpeed Miata could actually outcorner the Elan and was slightly better in the skid pad tests.

Wow ! I no longer need to wonder.

The Elan was small, I walked past one most every day walking to grade school back in Chicago and wish I had the nerve to wait out the owner and ask for a ride. As good as the early cars were, looks like you can't beat modern technology and design. The Elise is a good example. I enjoyed my Miata and sold it when I traded up almost a decade later. Thanks for the update.

 

[Ron in BC]

both are darker than Ron's car (which might be something like 106 red / 181 green / 36 blue - x6AB524 -

Some colours seem unsuitable for large areas - I wouldn't want BRG trailer - but the graphic patterns could probably use just about anything.

You analyzed my color more than I did. All the time I was building it I was wondering what color I'd paint it. I'd already ruled out the dark green/yellow combination but was thinking the choice was basically black, red or yellow. All the while, from time to time, I'd glance at this Kawasaki lime green drill index. One day I just said "why not" it's easy to respray if I don't like it. So I went down to White and Peters and looked at different shades of lime green, which I hate doing, I have trouble with shades of beige. I ended up happy with it, a fun color for a fun car.

I was lucky my truck is sort of Royal Blue and the trailer graphics match really well. Don't know what I would have done if my tug was one of those hard to define colors.

Ron

 

[Ron in BC]

Brian, you are so right, as usual.

Due to my fascination with the Elan, it was not surprising I purchased a slightly used early Miata, '90 as I recall. Unfortunately it was not BRG (used) but did not disappoint. Never got the opportunity to drive an Elan but am certain the Miata, as good as it was, is no Elan in the handling department. For God's sake its a Lotus. However, unlike early British cars, it always started, no Lucas electricals.

It would be outstanding if I run across one later this week when we visit the UK.

Don't be so hard on Lucas components. What's so bad about them? Oh, I just remembered how much fun it was when the headlight switch on my Triumph shorted out and caused a fire. Hard to pull a glowing red battery cable off with bare hands.

Good luck on spotting fine British sports cars of yesteryear. Years ago, the first time in England and having owned many British sports cars I was crushed not to see any out and about.

Ron

 

[Santiago-ESC]

Don't be so hard on Lucas components. What's so bad about them?

Certain times of the year, in Chicago, first order of business was popping distributor cap - wiping contacts with cloth if I wanted to go to work that day - (XK150).

Leaving in the morning, Air Zealand, and I hope I do spot a few, maybe older Morgans.

Thanks Ron.

 

[tractors1]

However, unlike early British cars, it always started, no Lucas electricals.

My favorite is 'Lucas invented the intermittent wiper, intermittent headlights, intermittent......................'

Then there's the famous line, "Lucas - the Prince of Darkness"

-ex MGA, Austin Healy 3000, Triumph Spitfire (aka Sputterfire)

 

[Santiago-ESC]

-ex MGA, Austin Healy 3000, Triumph Spitfire (aka Sputterfire)

Charlie, that's an impressive line up. I liked my '67 Spitfire. Would have loved having the AH 3000 and Bug Eye Sprite. Almost bought a TR-3 but the engine was in very bad shape and while in college had no time to re-build. In the 70's went Italian.

I am impressed Charlie.

 

[arniesea]

I think it a about time for a moderator to split this into two threads: British sport cars and Naked Escapes. ;-)

 

[gbaglo]

My mechanic told me to sell my 1957 TR3. He said he could fix the mechanical, but not the rusted platform and body.
I took the exit off a highway in a snow storm. Two tracks with snow piled in the middle. Passenger got a snow shower from slush flying up through the floor boards.
Guy that bought it from me painted it British Racing Green and put it up for sale. ( now we're back on topic )

 

[Jim Bennett]

My mechanic told me to sell my 1957 TR3.

A good friend had this car. A nut came off a tie rod and we hit the ditch. No problem, buddy pulled a nut off the radiator mount and used it. We carried on.

 

[Ron in BC]

Leaving in the morning, Air Zealand, and I hope I do spot a few, maybe older Morgans.
.

Have a good flight. We want photos of any classics you see. Morgans, I hate Morgans. Every race I was ever in they beat my Triumphs, even my D-Mod one.

Ron

 

[Ron in BC]

Guy that bought it from me painted it British Racing Green and put it up for sale. ( now we're back on topic )

Only if we discuss whether it'd have looked nicer naked or with racing strip graphics.

Ron