Introduction from new '73 Special owner

[kiwiokie]

Hi folks, just took delivery of a 1973 Special.  This is my first Lotus and in fact the first British car I have owned despite having been born in the UK.  While I am new to Lotus I have been messing with European cars for 25 years or so.  Having done all the restoration work on a car before I now look for cars where someone else has done the labor of love leaving me some finishing touches as I enjoy driving cars more than restoring on them.  The previous owner of this car completed a complete mechanical restoration and brought the cosmetics to a pretty high standard.  While not restored with  originality in mind it has been nicely done and it drives great.  All it needs to finish it off is some touch up of scratches in the paintwork from reassembly, the doors need to be aligned and the seat covers have some splits.  All in good time.  Will post pics as I make progress.  Cheers, John

[kiwiokie]

Engine details

[BDA]

  kiwiokie!!

She's a beauty! I certainly can't argue about the color! 

I also like the way he carried the gold throughout the car! She sure is a beauty! I predict many happy hours with you behind the wheel!

[Arizona]

Wow, I like those wheels. I did something similar with mine but in silver. I'm thinking they might look good in gold with the red paint job. What do you think?
 

[BDA]

Those look nice, but I think a contrasting color to the aluminum might look even better!

[Gmg31]

That colour scheme is stunning.  I love the gold pin striping

[kiwiokie]

Thanks for the compliments on the car.  Here is a close up of a wheel.  I think it would look good on a red car especially with gold rocker panel/sill.

[Grumblebuns]

Gorgeous detail work. Even the gas tank appears to be painted gold.

Joji Tokumoto

[3929R]

 
Wow looks great.
What is the firewall made of? It almost looks like a mirror it's so reflective.

[kiwiokie]

I believe he said it is polished stainless steel.  Certainly makes inspection of the engine easier.

[kiwiokie]

Posted this over in the Technical section but now see that does not get as much traffic:

Just finished the install of a gear reduction starter from RD Enterprises on my 73TCS and found the old solenoid had two small gauge wires.  This is not shown on the instructions from RDE.  Is the second wire what is referred to as the cold start?  I did not connect and the starter works fine but wondered how the cold start comes into play and whether I should connect it?  Also found my battery connection would only just reach the positive terminal which was my limiting factor on rotation of the motor.  Cheers, John

[jbcollier]

Yes, the second wire is a cold start wire.  Some starters have a terminal that is connected to the battery only when the starter is engaged.  It bypasses the ballast resistor to increase the voltage available to the coil during cranking.  The gear reduction starter does not have a provision  for a cold start circuit but you could easily use a relay to the same effect.  Gear reduction starters generally draw less amperage and a cold start circuit may not be required.

[kiwiokie]

Thank you for the explanation.  That makes sense.  The RDE starter does have the cold start connection so I will hook it up.

[EuropatcSPECIAL]

   John welcome, great choice of car, the detail is excellent. Im amazed at the attention they get from people
Happy motoring
all the best
Stuart               

[blasterdad]

Did that car come from Michigan by chance?