General musings

I've made a couple of minor adjustments, per the instructions in the workshop manual, to idle mixture on cylinders 1 and 4 and will see how that affects (hopefully, improves) driveability, plug colour etc.

I've topped up the oil again, and think we're up to 500 miles/l which is ok for now.

MPG has dropped, probably a combination of thicker oil and also a good deal of setup work over the last few weeks.

Drove over to Moss at Feltham to collect some more gloop (sorry, 25/70 oil) and other bits including a large metal drip tray, which just fitted on the passenger side, resting on the open ashtray and my shoulder! I can recommend Moss, very helpful staff. I emailed a list of things I wanted, they ensured they had them all at Feltham (some had to be brought from another site) before I went over to collect. The specialise in tools etc for classics, and components for MGs, and Triumphs. The Elan was parked outside their office, and when I came out with my box of bits found several staff taking photos - lots of comments about how small the car is.

The Revival meeting got me thinking, again, about classics vs new cars (the Jaguar F-type is rather nice).

Financials are different of course; the Elan will need some more "investment" to get up to a reasonable level of usability (engine rebuild, drivers door, maybe new radiator etc.) and then an annual budget to keep on top of problems. It's value would be fairly stable, possibly increasing and almost certainly not depreciating. Club Lotus' insurance valuation is in effect a rebuilding cost, and fairly close to purchase + restoration costs - but much higher than the likely sale value.

A newer car (or, say, a 3 year old purchase) would of course depreciate and after 6-7 years start to need replacement of minor components, major components after 10. It would never appreciate, in my lifetime at least.

But then, the Elan is unlikely to be a comfortable reliable touring car!

I'm also musing on two post lift vs. inspection pit, as we will be demolishing and rebuilding our garage as part of extending the house.

We're off to France with Club Lotus in early October. RAC card, bag of tools and spares and other essentials being collected.