Peter, the fault you mention was a fuel pump failure. This was fixed by the use of a new fuel pump design which has now been the part fitted for nearly two years. Mine had it from new.
Regarding Lotus, the Emira, launched in ‘22, is a fantastic looking car. I understand it’s likely the last ICE powered vehicle they intend to make. The problem with it is that it weighs 1400kg.
That’s 300kg more than the A110.
Interestingly the A110 has a lot of “Lotus” in its DNA in that the design started as a joint effort between Alpine and Caterham. There was some sort of falling out, leaving Alpine to complete the project. It’s something like 99% aluminium, and has double wishbone suspension for both front and rear (al la Lotus Emira, but not Porche, who typically only use that for the front). This makes the A110 the perfect road car. Surprisingly comfortable on longer trips, and fun at sensible speeds on your typical British B road where its lightness really shows itself in the way it so happily changes direction.
For anyone interested here’s a great Road & Track article on the car:
Mention of the Ford Capri in the classic Ford thread prompts me to post something I’m not driving now, but did in the late 70s and right through the 80s, and a wonderful car it was for its time: the Audi 100S Coupé:
Like the Capri in being a coupé, but so different and much better in every way except cost - but then with much better reliability and longevity that balances out (I remember talking to someone about costs of maintaining - at that time Audi parts cost twice as much as Ford - but you needed them less than half as often!)
Though only a 1.9 engine it was faster than the Capri 2L , and went round corners like it was on rails. Though much the same size as the Capri you could fit 3 adults in the back, and yet had a boot (trunk) capable of taking several decent sized suitcases! I think it was a very handsome car - and interestingly was strikingly similar to the Aston Martin DBS, at least towards the rear. And with apparently only a few hundred ever imported into Britain it had the benefit of rarity.
I went through two, one orange the other metallic blue, because someone wrote off the first. It’s replacement was from the same year. (The photos showing same colours as mine, but not my cars.) Around 1990 I sold mine at 150k miles and 17 years old as it was beginning to need a lot of TLC - and my new wife also had one - same age and we didn’t need two. We sold hers maybe 3 years later for much the same reasons, only for a few £100, but happy it was going to someone who appreciated it and wold give it a good home … then a year or two ago came across a picture of hers online, fully renovated, sold for £30k!
I used to have a GXL a bit like this one. With its 3 litre V6 engine hung way out in front, it was tail happy to say the least. Prior to owning this, I had a Mini Cooper S tuned for fast road use and the two cars could not have been more different. I loved the Capri for its grunt and the sound of the engine but I ended up rolling it and that was the end of it.
Lovely car Mikee - I remember watching rally cross on tv when the Quattro’s appeared - they looked like someone took a wrong turn and ended up in a rally cross race by accident; except with apparently great ease they drove away from the pack of mini’s and escorts. That five cylinder engine sounds fantastic also. Genuine classic.
I have just watched a rather poor movie of Netfix called Audi versus Lancia about the 1983 world rally championship. 2 wheel rear drive Lancia 037 vs 4 wheel drive Audi. Poor acting but some sensational footage of two great cars.
I worked in the spanners for a Construction Supply Company the chairman had a VW Santana with the 5 cylinder engine such a lovely sounding engine indeed very smooth and a superb drive.
luv a 5 pot, I’ve had 2 audi coupes, volvo V50 2.3 and focus st with, what i think is basically the same engine block. all sound fantastic, plenty of grunt and thirsty!
I often ponder the merits of getting a more modern 911 but can’t quite bring myself to part with this 1995 incarnation. It’s so involving to drive but also so simple - no aircon, 2 wheel drive, no traction control, no satnav etc….
And the air cooled flat 6 is like having an orchestra sitting behind you….
