Lotus Gone

Candy sold her Lotus Esprit turbo on fleabay. Its going to Allentown Pa. Transporters will pick it up Monday. Now i have an open slot in my building for another toy. Now we need to think about another Fcar, would really entertain a 330 or 250. Prefer one that needs restoration. Any thoughts?

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i cabriolet
1994 348 spyder

 

So back in the very early 60's I was just a kid starting out in the automotive trade as a very green mechanic. The shop I worked at only did European Import cars. This shop in Seattle did have the reputation to fix what the others could not.

We worked on Norton Clapp's Ferrari I believe to have been a 330 I'm guessing a 1960-62. I drove it from his office in the Norton building in Seattle to the shop in north Seattle. I remember working on the 3 dual choke Webbers which seem to have been the main issue with the runability. As I remember we had to order new jets which took sometime to arrive. We also did the oil changes and other service as needed. It was a beige exterior with tan interior, wonder where it is today?

One of our other customers had a early 60's 250 I believe, it was painted a horrible candy apple gold, we did some service on that one as well. At the time it was owned by a very young man with an incredibley beautiful girlfriend. Don't remember much about the car but sure do remember her.

just sayin'

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i cabriolet
1994 348 spyder

 

But one of the reasons to sell the Lotus was to find more room in my all ready overcrowded building and car collection. The problem with having a large car barn is the weakness to buy and fill it up I'm at that point now.

As my age advances its time to thin the heard, just sold my 1905 Cadillac off to Austrailia, sold off 5 vintage race cars, and now the Lotus. It's really nice to be able to walk through my barn and actually see the floor and the cars that are still there. I really do not need anymore cars but would entertain a project Ferrari to finish out my restoration activities.

I like the thought of restoring a 1960's Ferrari as thats the era where I learned the trade. I find the design and look of those years with single headlights uncluttered and classic looks. The interiors were supple but very clean. The body lines were trim and neat. I guess I just want to go home again.

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i cabriolet
1994 348 spyder

 

Back in the day when I worked at BMCD my 1st job was to drive new Jaguars from the dock to the warehouse under Spokane street. I also performed alignments on the new arrivals.

Bill the service manager at BMCD came to me one day and handed me a kit of parts and a sheet of directions. It seems an oversight on the early XKE's was the difficulty of replacing the inboard brake pads, you had to drop the entire rear suspension assembly.

This kit included 2 aluminum plates some self tapping screws, plus a sabre saw and a electric drill. The instructions told me to remove both seats, then remove the rear parcel shelf carpet. Using the templet cut 2 holes just above the inboard calipers to easily access the rear brake pads. After the holes were cut and the screw holes drilled, attatch the covers and screws and replace the removed carpets and seats. This took about 2 hours and as a very green kid I was scared to death of screwing up.

Just before I tackeled the 1st one Bill said," look kid those cars cost $5000.00 if you scew it up you will be on payroll decuction for the rest of your life". My pay at that time was the princlely sum of $1.65 per hour.

 

Just like the classic simplistic lines of the era. other than that no particular reason.

Howard