So after seeing a couple of Exiges, go past me at Oulton, it got me thinking about my car. As most of you know i had recaro's in my GTI, which basically meant its usage went from a weekend car to a track car only, once my son arrived on the earth. Totally in practical for children.
My GTI was much loved and i found it hard to push her to the limits on track days. Also leaving the circuit, the GTI sounded terrible, every bush and connection swollen from friction and working the weight. It sounded like JoesGTI had borrowed it for a week.
So i figured i might as well get myself something track focused if thats all my car was going to be, and even though the GTI had lots of goodies to help on track it was hard to justify keeping a Mk5 GTI just for track days.
So after little deliberation i decided on a Exige, even though i loved the shape and style of the Exige, i knew little about them or Lotus. So i dived in researching and discovering about the model and the brand.
And after 3 months bought this.
It is a S2, Type 72.
This Exige was built as a limited edition, it celebrates the heyday of Lotus Motorsport. From 1970 − 1975ish, Lotus designed and built a truly amazing formula one car in that era, so good in fact, it became the most successful and famous F1 car in history. It achieved 20 race wins in that period. The sponsor livery was world famous anyone over the age of 30 will remember the JPS livery
I certainly do.
There were only 20 Exige Type72's made to commemerate the 20 wins in this era. My particular one celebrates the British GP win by Emerson Fitipaldi at Brands Hatch.
Plate in the passengers side sill.
and here is the F1 type 72D that was head and shoulders above all competition at the time.
And a quick video of the beast. Cant help watching this over and over. Pump the sound up for best effect.
And so on to my Type 72.
And my fav piccie.
I decided on the type 72, one, because it is gorgeous and evoked lots of childhood memories
, but also it has a perfect spec for track, it comes with the sports and performance pack and all the best bits of the touring pack option.
The sports pack has, twin oil coolers, adjustable front arb, roll over hoop, harness bar and probax seats for the harness.
The performance pack has a power upgrade to 240 BHP, uprated brakes including vented and drilled 4 pot AP brakes.
and a few other bits that i cant remember.
The touring pack is for luxuries like a cup holder and leather trim here and their + sound deadening material. Mine only gets the leather and alcantera as part of the Type 72 custom interior.
You also get air-con with mine, daft i thought until i realised the engine was strapped to my back.
240 BHP is not a lot in todays world, but put that power in a car that weighs less than 2/3rds of a GTI then you get a fast little bugger. 0-60 in around 4 seconds.
I have only had one proper drive so far and trust me it does not hang about.
This car is a world away from the GTI. every drive seems to be an event, from getting in it, to getting out, it just brings a big grin to your face.
Some mods on the way soon, but lotus kindly did most of them for me.
