18th birthday celebrations

[campbell]

Our trusty S1, "UJI" to family and friends, turns 18 in a couple of weeks. 2nd July to be precise.

That's right. 18. Years. From a Lotus. With the same owner. Can't be many like that round here!

She's a relatively unmolested and well cared for example. Cosmetically pretty tired (if you compute her age akin to dog years, she's actually looking pretty good right now!). With 116k on the clock, some wrinkles and creaks are to be expected.

Anyway, what budget we do have available is being devoted to a bit of midlife mechanical refurb at CMC. Craig's just off the phone with the Surgeon's update and I'm relieved with his assessment.

Clam was off to fit a fresh windscreen. Rad hoses all being inspected and a fresh Proalloy rad is to be installed complete with uprated fan.

Oil in the coolant was a concern but the head has been disassembled and inspected and only needed valve seats re-cut. Liner heights and block all ok (phew) so just needs screwed back together in the right order with a fresh gasket

Any talk of Honda engines will be referred straight to the McLaren F1 team. I'll stick with what I know thanks.

Lisa and I have had many adventures with this car and like most people on here, have made a startling number of friends through our ownership of it and our connection to the Scottish Elises community plus others. With this midlife health check nearly complete, we hope to have many more. Increasingly involving the kids too (albeit one at a time!).

Lisa has her own birthday coming up just before UJI's (she'll be "18 Again", apparently!) so having the car back for her to enjoy will mean a lot. We're also going to have a wee trip with it on 2nd July itself. Might not bother with candles though...bit of a fire risk...

If anyone wants to share pics or stories related to our crazy 18 year journey so far, then feel free

Otherwise, just a simple thanks from us for coming along for the ride...not least to several folks who helped me spanner the Elise in tough times, without whom it would unquestionably have been sold on long ago. You know who you are.

Cheers

Campbell

Wee pic from last year...

[Corranga]

Congratulations to UJI and family - as after 18 years, that seems the right word

Here's to another 18, though I guess that next 18 might be a lot harder with parts availability perhaps becoming an issue in the years to come.

I hit 10 years with mine back in March, and don't see it going anywhere anytime soon!!

[campbell]

Well done on 10 years - even that is a marathon

Haven't really thought how much longer, TBH. The arrival of an S4 Elise model might focus my mind a bit, though. And the draw of another Evora remains a slight distraction too...

[rossybee]

Congrats Campbell

I'm coming up to 10 years in August with my trusty old Volvo Estate, I know, doesn't quite have the same ring to it

My new addition (over the moon btw) gives even less reason to get rid!

[mwmackenzie]

Awesome Campbell and Happy Birthday UJI! Hope you have many more happy years together!

[jason]

Congrats

...but we surely need to see a scan of the (likely) 6x4 Boots print from collection day?!

[Stu160]

Congratulations Campbell and co, I would but that there will be many that can claim the same thing.
When you get to 21, I think Lotus should invite you home for a VIP visit, and free pampering session for UJI.

I am just 2 years behind you, but have not owned from new.

Stu

[111Robin]

Here's to long term ownership. I've had mine 19 years past in March but unlike you it's been seldom used unfortunately, 20k miles, however I'd still not part with it (until the baliffs come round anyway !)

[H8OAG]

Shed

[Jam_s160]

nice one congratulations

[campbell]

Shed

Compared to yours, yes...

[C7Steve]

Well done

I think UJI deserves a nice run up to Clachtoll to celebrate

The next question is which will come first 30 years or 200,000miles?

My guess after a quick calculation going on your average miles to date and thinking that you would be using the car slightly less too, so 30 years would come first.

Your bus pass would be getting used more, but looking forward to your post when we find out in 2029

At least you car wont be like Triggers Broom.


Steve.

[woody]

Excellent work Campbell.

[ed]

Excellent innings. Glad the issues aren't as bad as you had thought.

[Ferg]

Good effort UJI