Badges on Lotus Replicas
Peter Ross
was called "X1 or not". XI is a roman number, but X1 is not.
I am saddened to read that a member of the Lotus History Group intends
to put a Lotus badge on his replica Lotus. All he is doing is trying
to suggest to people that the car is the real thing, and made by the
Lotus factory.
In my humble opinion the only replicas that might be eligible for a
Lotus badge would be those of Lotus cars that have become extinct,
such as the Lotus Mk I. Even that is a bad example because it never
had a Lotus badge in the first place! (It wasn't even called a Lotus
at the time.)
I can understand anyone wanting to build themselves a Lotus replica,
but they should either put their own name on the car, or
perhaps we could agree on a badge which is unlike the real badge and
includes the words "Lotus Replica". This should be restricted to
cars that follow as precisely as possible the original specification,
and might require the adjudication of the HLR. (Historic Lotus
Register).
I would be intersted in your comments.
viv
something I wrestled with for quite some time. I never wanted to pass
my car off for an original Lotus but wanted a design that reflected
the period and a clue to its heritage. In the end I created a badge
based around the engine type, a Coventry Climax FWB and utilised the
Lotus lozenge. I got Fatorinni in Birmingham to make the badge up (at
some expense!). I've uploaded a picture on to this site for those who
are interested.
I'd be interested to see our people's solutions.
Best regards
Viv
On May 28, 4:51 am, Peter Ross <pe...@historiclotusregister.co.uk>
wrote:
Lyndsay Wood
Hello All,
The Lotus Register in South Africa had an interesting rule: Barties law on Lotusesseses: "If a Lotus (7) looks like a Lotus from thirty feet, it is a Lotus. If it is not a Lotus, it is a Birkin. If it is not a Birkin, then it IS a Lotus"
The point being that the Register is trying to involve as many people as possible in their club activities, and there are simply not enough real Lotus of any model to form realistic fields. Everyone is aware who has real cars and who has replicas or home-builts, but the emphasis is on having a good time, and promote Lotus as a brand.
Yes, some have tried to pass cars as real Lotus which were not, but any car coming up for sale has a clear history, known to the register, and therefore the lines are kept clearly delineated. (through the Register specially negotiated Insurance deals ensure it is a good idea to be a member...)
By your definition, Peter, how many of the extant Elevens are in fact then still real Elevens? Only those with each and every component with a proved history of supply from Lotus itself? What then about tyres? Exhausts, engines rebuilt by Joe Bloggs, cars reframed with 'B' frames etc, etc...
While some cars may make themselves easier to authenticate, by their very history of how they were concieved and built makes Lotus a very poor candidate for being 'special' in the sense of 'authenticity'.
As I have already said, I have the greatest respect for all of you who own and strive to keep your orriginal cars 'orriginal', and hopefully one day I too will be able to join your ranks as an 'orriginal' owner. Until then I will have to accept that my car is an as honest copy as I can build, for my own fun, which will be registered as a "Wood n'Carr's" (as have our '7's). As to the Lotus badge, I feel it is an honour to immitate the Master and his creations. Other folk may well differ, and you have every right to your opinion, but having an opinion does not make your, or my, opinion the truth. As to 'Him' putting a Lotus badge on 'his' car, it should read 'She will be putting a Lotus badge on her car...' Isn't that almost as bad as saying Lotus X1?? However, you are forgiven! ; - )
Whatever we choose to call it, it remains a great car, and I do intend to sample it, well!
StillWarmRegards
Lyndsay
--- On Wed, 27/5/09, Peter Ross <pe...@historiclotusregister.co.uk> wrote:
jentw...@aol.com
John W. Watson.
Friends,
This whole business of discussing replicas on a forum titled ‘Lotus-History’ is one I feel strongly about. About 10 years ago I was subscribing to the Se...@Se7ens.net list with owners of the various Seven clones dubbed Sevenesque. Because some of us felt we did not wish to hear about Sevens other than Lotus Sevens we formed the Lo...@Se7ens.net list. This was fine for a few years until the Sevenesque people joined and started discussions about replica cars, so I decided to leave and unsubscribed. Now the same thing has started on the Lotus-History Group with endless talk of replicas. If it continues, I suppose that I will have to unsubscribe from that as well.
Yes, imitation maybe the sincerest form of flattery, yes, some might think that replicas drive better than the real thing, yes, it maybe that for some it is the only way they will get to drive a car resembling the real thing, yes, some might think they are good value for money and it is good to fool people into thinking that they actually have a real Lotus BUT that is not the point of this group which is here to discuss LOTUSES or if you like LOTI !
You lot decided what you think should be discussed on this forum and I’ll vote with my feet if necessary!
Enjoy your week-end.
JWW
Vic Thomas
Most of us abide by the now famous
"Continuous History " rule.
For a definition of this , please see my
article in Historic Lotus Spring 2009
page 27 [last issue] entitled "Original
or Replica"
Best regards
VFT
ps please could I talk to you
indivdually about a particular
Eleven that was in SA.
Victor...@Virgin.net
YOU WROTE :By your definition, Peter, how many of the extant Elevens are