SLOC Mag 2023 - Issue 3

SUNBEAM LOTUS OWNERS’ CLUB

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Honorary President: Paul White (Former Talbot Team Manager and winning co-driver on the 1980 Lombard RAC Rally)

Chairman: Perry C. Antoniou 07802 600 616 chairman@sunbeamlotus.com

Historian / Archivist / PR Liaison: Graeme Lawton 0771 949 0657 historian@sunbeamlotus.com

Treasurer / Membership Secretary: Dave Merlane 01933 384586

Membership Secretary 10 Roberts Street, RUSHDEN, NN10 0NG membership@sunbeamlotus.com

Secretary: Doug Field 0208 295 1815 secretary@sunbeamlotus.com

Regalia: regalia@sunbeamlotus.com

Events Secretary: Mark Higman events@sunbeamlotus.com

Parts: Richard Blackburn parts@sunbeamlotus.com

Technical Secretary: Mike Trim technical@sunbeamlotus.com

ARCC Representative: Richard Blackburn pr@sunbeamlotus.com

Valuations Officier/Web: Kieron Buckingham webmaster@sunbeamlotus.com

Magazine: Angela Pittas editor@sunbeamlotus.com

Competitions Secretary: Jez Moxon competitions@sunbeamlotus.com

Social Media Secretary Alan Barnacle social@sunbeamlotus.com

CHAT CHAIRMAN’S

A very warm welcome to all to the latest issue of the club magazine. It really is scorching hot outside and I’m inside doing my scribblings and working on my Sunbeam Lotus later. Yes, you read it right, I am working on my own Sunbeam Lotus.

After seeing all the members cars at our club events, particularly the brilliant National Day we had at Classic Nostalgia at Shelsley Walsh, I have been pushing myself to get my car done. Still a bit to do, but the end is in sight. I could drop a lot of stuff and get it done by the end of the year, but there is no point now as events are all but over.

APART FROM MYSTERY TOUR of course (but taking my MG1600 Maestro complete with talking dash!). But I should be attending events in 2024 with my own Sunbeam Lotus. Last time it was out, my kids were at infant school, now my son and daughter are both now old enough to drive it an insured on it as part of my family fleet policy!

Just finishing off the Electric Power Steering with Julian Anthill sorting out a fully floating steering shaft idea for me. Ethanol Proof Fuel Lines have been selling well. I cannot stress

enough how important these are to upgrade your fuel lines. Just starting sorting a few custom E10 proof fuel lines for members who have different setups (like Facet Pumps etc.). And you will see later on in the magazine another project I have been sorting for us. Dig deep, they are lovely but cost a bit!

Those of you on our social media will see the latest Sunbeam Lotus has arrived at Fully Loaded Cars. Most of you had seen this car doing the rounds and commenting how it would be beyond repair and lots of negative comments. But a member has bought it and knows a thing or two about cars. Let us see what it turns out like once the metalwork is done by Marco and his team and we can have another discussion about it in the future.

Not much more for me to report, but a lot going on in the background. NEC will soon be upon us. Use the club discount code to get your tickets now.

PERRY C. ANTONIOU CHAIRMAN MEMBER NO. 750

bFirstly, welcome to all the recently joined new members, & also those who have rejoined, hope to see you at an event.

I’m typing this right at the start of September, & the current membership (that’s main members) is 355. It’s interesting to report that a number of TSL owners in France have joined in the last few weeks as a result of Perry listing our Piccadilly seat material for sale on ebay, with membership as part of the deal. Clearly the word about the material is spreading in France, & I do make an attempt to communicate with the new members in their own language. I’m sure this causes some head scratching & laughter when received, but my messages do seem to be understood … mistakes & all!

I’m still working on the outstanding renewals from July, & hope that this serves as an additional reminder. I’ll be tidying the membership database soon, so if your membership is now due for renewal, then please send the £30 payment asap to avoid moving into the “Lapsed” category on the database. Thanks.

Regarding payments generally, members are increasingly using PayPal for this (membership@sunbeamlotus.com) It’s obviously very convenient & easy, but please always remember to use the “Friends & Family” payment option, & not “Goods & Services”. This ensures that the Club receives the full amount of the payment, & no fees are deducted. Another thanks.

Apart from managing the Club membership, it’s also a busy time on the accounts front. Our financial year finished at the end of August, & I now have to compile all the information

to send to our accountant so that she can prepare our statutory accounts. The Club is run as an incorporated (limited liability) company, & all this has to happen to strict deadlines, otherwise there is a risk that we will be fined for a late submission. Unfortunately this process also always results in a tax bill, & as we have had a successful year selling parts etc, then I have to ensure we make a provision to cover this tax payment.

I’m sure there is coverage elsewhere regarding our National Day at Shelsley Walsh, & it really was a great event. We planned to erect the Club marquee on the Saturday afternoon, & having established our “pitch” for the next day the marquee was put in place & pinned down. However, when I arrived on the Sunday morning a number of Lotus Excel Club members had set up right by the side of our marquee! I did speak to them nicely & asked if they could move to just beyond where our “pitch” ended. There was a little reluctance (they thought that the marquee was for the Porsche Club which was on the other side) but as members started to arrive in their cars they did eventually move, & we had our own space. Despite the adverse weather forecast the day turned out to be fine & sunny (apart from a very short & light shower in the afternoon) & a great day was had by all. Lots to see & enjoy – other than our cars, & with an excellent turn out I think we can count the day as a success. What to do next year is now on our agenda for discussion?

Hopefully I will see some of you at The Isle of Wight mystery tour, but as always, thanks for your ongoing support.

DAVE MERLANE

Historical CORNER

This year has been a little different for me so far; rather than working from home with occasional days away, I have ended up working on-site pretty much full-time all year. Thankfully, we have just completed that three-year project with a rather intense final month or so. I am therefore a little behind and catching up with a few other things, so if I have missed anyone trying to contact me, do please try again and don’t be afraid to send a text or WhatsApp message. I might still be a wee bit slow to respond but hopefully we will get there. I have managed to produce a few sets of dating evidence for members this year, allowing them to gain Historic status for their cars. If anyone is still paying to tax their Sunbeam, please contact me and we will work to get you onto free tax. We are at about 40 cars now that have availed of this service and are saving money. Remember that Historic cars are also exempt from emissions-based zones in cities! The last of our cars (with at least one exception) will naturally become eligible next April but that still leaves some savings to be made until then.

On the way down to National Day, I called in to see Leon Gibbs of Arbury fame. I had been unable to attend the shindig at his old dealership due to a) work-life balance and b) brake issues on my blue Sunbeam, which we only resolved a couple of weeks later. I speak to Leon on a fairly regular basis, and had been trying to get to his for a few months as he had mentioned finding some parts for the club. With the sad loss of his brother and then his wife, I had put off arranging anything but then I spoke to him just before the Arbury event and vowed to visit as soon as I could. As it turned out, the trip to Shelsley Walsh was an ideal opportunity; not only a useful pause on the journey but a pleasure to see Leon again and chat Sunbeams

with him. No longer owning a Sunbeam Lotus, Mr Gibbs was happy to pass on some parts to the club to help out our members, and also to donate some archive materials. Some of these we had seen and copied before but having the originals is always best. I am pleased to say that we now have the actual printouts of production details from the factory as well as some period photographs, plus further sales brochures to add to our stock.

The parts that had been mentioned all those months ago turned out to be handbrake and speedometer cables; new-old-stock of Quinton Hazel items. When compared to the speedo cables that we have recently had made, the QH ones are a bit shorter but I have also compared them to a Smiths cable that I had removed from my car (replaced with an identical version) and the QH cable is actually ever-so-slightly longer. So these will be added to club stock to sell to members.

When I spoke to Leon before the Arbury gathering, he told me that he was going to offer some nice items on the day to make some money for a local charity. The prices he proposed were, shall we say, a little on the light side, so I suggested some healthier figures that he proceeded to use, and they made a tidy sum. He held some bits over for the club to sell, though, and we now have these; proceeds will again go to charity, and we will advertise these shortly.

I have a couple of articles in preparation that are taking a bit of effort to complete; one on the mid-engined Lotus Horizon prototype, and the other relating to production numbers. Fingers crossed, at least one will make it into the next edition. I also have a list of other topics to cover but if anyone has any specific area of interest that they would like me to investigate and write about, please give me your suggestions. Oh, and we have recently obtained a report from hot-weather testing of the Sunbeam Lotus from 1979, which makes interesting reading; I will pick out the salient points of interest for a future article...

GRAEME LAWTON

Probably the most complicated part of the shell restoration is complete. The driver’s side upper inner wing and chassis leg was in really bad condition but the rest of the inner wing was generally solid.

Jonathan and I discussed replacing the whole lot from the bulkhead forward but replacement panels had a lead time of 7 months and were going to cost close to £1000 so Jonathan decided to fabricate the chassis leg from scratch for a lot less whilst retaining a lot of original metal. Needless to say the chassis leg is quite a complicated part and needs to be accurately positioned and Jonathan made up jigs for the brake reaction rod mount and fabricated the chassis leg in two side sections and welded it all together.

The top of the strut mounting was rusty but the main structure was sound and I didn’t want to lose the chassis number stamping so Jonathan worked around that and it is looking original now.

There was a big hole at the back of the inner wing at the bulkhead which has been cut out and new metal fitted.

Oddly someone at some time decided to cut a big hole in the nearside inner wing and then did a real botch job welding it back. We think the exhaust manifold had some holes and rather than removing the engine they just cut a hole in the inner wing, repaired the manifold and welded it over. Anyways that has all been repaired now and is looking original.

NEXT BODY JOB

will be the light boxes, front panel and new battery tray.

As I have VFS back from the paint shop I have spent most of my time putting that all back together and just taking my time getting it correct so other jobs on 115Y are on hold.

More to follow next time CAM

2023 Moffat Rally

THE MOFFAT RALLY has been organised for the last 25 years by the ‘Scottish Rootes Enthusiasts’, due to age and health problems they have had to hand over the organizing to the Moffat Motor Club, so 2023 was there first go at it, and apart from no drinks mat it was just the same, even the weather was the same with Saturday being nice and Sunday rain at the usual 3pm just as they give out the awards.

TALKING OF AWARDS TWO OF OUR MEMBERS WALK AWAY WITH PRIZES:

ADRIAN ALDERSON with AJF462Y

“Best Sunbeam”

1st Place

FRASER DOMINICK with DAC88Y

“Best Sunbeam”

2nd Place

Return To Epynt

The continuing story of a pair of

OLD GITS

I LAST COMPETED ON THE MEWLA RALLY across the infamous Epynt Rages some 12 years ago and only ventured back once since for last years Tour of Epynt. So when our preferred option for August Bank Holiday weekend, The Pendragon Rally was cancelled, we decided that we would not be

deterred by the fact that no recce was allowed and a return to Epynt was on.

The format was that all the formalities were on Saturday afternoon and the rally itself was on Sunday. In order to avoid some of the Bank Holiday traffic we set off just before lunch on the Friday which meant we had a

fairly leisurely drive up through south Wales and after an overnight stop we were first to arrive by several hours. This meant a lot of hanging about but did give us a prime spot on a small tarmac apron in the service area. The rest of the area being gravel at best and mud at worst after recent rains, which saw some cars needing a push to get out of service.

Once co driver Rob Thompson and service crew Grahame Standen arrived, scrutineering and signing on was duly completed without any issues. Due to the lack of accommodation in the area, Rob had driven up from Kent in his motorhome only to be told in person that there

was to be strictly no overnight camping on the ranges, (although it was not something that was enforced as there were a few occupied motorhomes). But as we did not want any penalties applied for infringement of this ruling, we decamped to a forestry commission car park just off the military land. After a quiet night, only disturbed by rain dripping off the trees, we were up bright and early and back to the service park with a couple of hours to spare before the first car was away. This gave us plenty of time to debate the issue of tyres as it kept raining and drying. I the end we opted for the easy option of using what was already on the car, soft Hankooks which have enough tread to clear a bit of water without being a full blown wet.

With no recce and rather damp conditions we were somewhat cautious over the first two stages and hence no big issues or problems. It was then back to service before a repeat of the same two stages but with a bit more vigour. As we started stage 3 it was starting to drizzle a little and so I turned the demister onto the screen to avoid any misting up issues. In fact the very opposite occurred, as we were approaching the finish the screen very quickly misted over completely and we had to slow to ensure we found the final hairpin. We had very little time before stage 4 and so all we could do was turn the demister off and clean the inside of the screen. This was better but still not perfect as we did start to steam up again and as this was a very fast section with speeds over 100mph with

several blind crests it was clear we needed to find a fix or we would soon be running out of clean underwear.

Back in service there was a small but significant amount of anti-freeze evident in both front foot wells. So, all the hose connections were tightened (which was a big test for Grahames agility) and the air vents onto the screen were taped up to prevent any steam escaping onto the screen. Fingers crossed and off to stages 5 and 6. These were very similar to the previous stages in that the starts were the same but they then went off into new territory about two thirds of the way through. We again saw over 100mph on the same section and although we did not steam up, there was more anti-freeze in the footwells.

Back in service for a mop out and this time Grahame bypassed the heater to ensure no further problems. It was then out for stages 7 and 8 which were the same as 1 and 2 but in the opposite direction. By now it was drying up nicely and consequently we were able to tackle the stages with a bit more commitment and happily no repeat of the screen misting up.

It was at the final service that Grahame found time to give the front suspension a cursory check, only to find on of the studs that secure the drivers side steering arm was missing. After a bit more investigation it appeared that it had sheared and as it was quite rusty, not recently. We nether had nor could scrounge a bolt to fit and anyway, it was impossible to remove the sheared stud so it was carry on as it was or retire. After much discussion and due consideration we decided to carry on. The thinking was that the steering arm is located by small steel sleeves which fit around the two studs (or one in our case). The nuts are then tightened to clamp the steering arm to the base of the strut. So, provided the

other one does not shear off or come loose the steering arm could not move.

And so it was we tackled the last pair of stages, a repeat of 7 and 8, confident enough to be 8 seconds quicker on stage 9 only to be slower on the final stage netting us 33 overall. Not bad for a car and driver which together well exceed 110 years old. However

we were beaten to ‘Best Lotus Sunbeam’ by the only other lotus Sunbeam which finished 30th overall. We caught up with him in the motorway services on our way home where he admitted to having 220 BHP, significantly more than us, so no disgrace on our part.

OLD GIT BILL COOK

S2 DOOR MIRROR REPAIR

AS ALL OF YOU WITH A SERIES 2 MIRROR KNOW, the little plastic part breaks off. Club member Tony ‘Skid’ Nash has manufacture a repair kit made of brass parts which replaces the broken unit. I tested one myself on a broken mirror and Graeme Lawton also repaired one of his own mirrors. It’s simple to do, with the most difficult part only being the removal of the mirror

body from the housing. Some care, warm water and patience is all you need. I’m a butcher and managed to do it. Graeme is a lot less technical and he also managed to do it. Look at the photos to see which part fails and can now be replaced. Get in touch with Richard on parts@ sunbeamlotus.com and we will let you know more information.

NEW PARTS

VARIOUS CABLES

PRICES:

THROTTLE CABLE (Yellow) £30 + p&p CLUTCH CABLE £45 + p&p HANDBRAKE CABLES (PAIR) £80 + p&p SPEEDO CABLES £25 + p&p

FRONT & REAR BUSH SET COMPONENTS:-

Trailing Arm Upper-Front Bush kit

Trailing Arm Upper-Rear Bush kit

Trailing Arm Lower-Front Bush kit

Trailing Arm Lower-Rear Bush kit

Control Arm Lower-Inner Bush kit

Front Strut Bar Bush kit

Anti-Roll Bar Link Bush kit

Anti-Roll Bar Mount to Chassis Bush kit

POLY BUSH SETS NOW AVAILABLE

Specify if it’s for a S1 or S2 as the Trailing Arm Lower-Front Bush kit is different.

S1 £340 + p&p S2 £370 + p&p

CONTACT RICHARD

parts@sunbeamlotus.com if interested in above parts.

I SAY! Ooh...

I believe 17 cars. I’m not sure I counted at the optimum time. Thank you so very much to the 88 that replied. The other 200 odd of you need to learn some manners.

YES, the venue was my suggestion. YES, Shelsley Walsh isn’t at all central in the country.

YES, I do live in the South YES, it was very disappointing we couldn’t drive the hill.

Was it a banging total success that we’ll repeat? NO! As a venue for a “static” National Day; it was different, interesting, but fell well short of what I hoped for and expected. The site was quite beautiful; organisation good; interaction with drivers, cars and the pit area excellent. BUT… the visiting clubs area was poorly supported; the grass had not been cut; interaction with The Hill action remote and provision of food outlets was terrible.

After one of the best AGM’s, I’ve ever been to at The Lotus Track Day in May; at the even more remote Castle Combe. I believe all the committee had high hopes for National Day, but once again, we didn’t quite get there. Agreed; I will have to take responsibility for not realising a formula that works and learning from the AGM.

However, I’m not completely downhearted because I did receive more replies to my National Day email than ever before! Everyone with an email address that has been declared on your membership form, should have received the email. I had 88 replies. Resulting in 51 apologies. 37 member attendances and

So perhaps then, as National Day’s go, it wasn’t a disaster, and I shouldn’t be so hard on myself? But we can do an awful lot better and with that in mind… I’m proposing we hold the 2024 National Day at Dunslop Bridge Village Hall:]

I’ve just this minute spoken to Brigadier Gerrard and Ian informs me you may or may not be reading this mag’ before our foray to The Isle of Wight on Sunday 8th October. Now that of course is tricky. I’m not sure if I should say something? Or nothing? So, very unlike me… I’ll say nothing.

I’m not qualified in any way and realise I’m taking liberties by using my position to mention this. Yesterday [8th September] would have been my 16th wedding anniversary and as much as I do so love Julie; we’ve been together two years now; it’s an incredibly difficult time, stirring happy and sad memories of Julia and the 12 years we did share. However, this not about me. I just want to say how privileged I am, that so many of you have written to me mentioning your life struggles with stress; depression; cancer diagnosis; cancer treatment and losing a loved one. I’ve no idea why you’ve found it possible to tell me? But I hope in some small way it’s helped.

It’s incredibly boring and predictable, but I can sincerely tell you from my heart, that time is the greatest healer.

MARK HIGMAN SLOC950

I COULD HAVE BEGUN NATIONAL DAY 2023, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR TOO PREDICTABLE AND FAR TOO LIMITING.

SLOC Series 1 and Series 2

Piccadilly Seats COBRA

THE CLUB has specially commissioned world class race seat manufacturer Cobra Seats to manufacture some seats from their range using the club Series 1 Grey and Series 2 Piccadilly materials that can be made available to you as both Office Chairs or Seats for your Sunbeam Lotus (for road or tagged/dated for competition use).

The idea came to me a while ago when Snap On Tools were running the same promotion via their dealer network. I though it would be a great idea to approach Cobra to see if they would do the same for our small club. Cobra confirmed they are happy to do so and are offering any seat in their range to our club members utilising the club material. These will only be available via us and are not available direct from them or elsewhere (as the material belongs to the club).

For the first seats, which we have had made as Office Chairs, we have asked for the MONACO SPORT race seat in S1 & S2 fabric and the CLASSIC RSR also in S1 & S2 fabric. You can see the photos of how good these seats look. Remember, you can choose any seat in their range. The first Office Chairs are available right now. Going forward, everything will be per order.

They appear a little bit expensive in my opinion, but they certainly are unique and they are of the highest quality and considering you can have any seat they make and any material combination as well as whatever embroidery you wish (Your Registration Number, Your Name, Your Team Logo and wherever you wish them placed on the seat), I think the price reflects this. Some of you already know what a decent set of race seats cost, so we are not that far off that price.

REBORN A Classic Racer

SUNBEAM LOTUS VFS 370V had spent its life as a racer, beginning in the Channel Islands.

I acquired the car in 2019 with the intention of racing it ‘as is’. Sadly, the shell, which appeared to be in really good condition, was in fact plagued by rust. Thus began a full restoration to a very high standard and incorporating the latest safety protection, works adjustable suspension and other modifications. Somewhat interrupted by Covid of course!

When completed, and wearing a new coat of paint as an evocation of the works cars, VFS will be ready to resume its career on the tarmac or rally stage.

Initially, VFS was despatched to Jon Stevens of Metal Monkey Motorsport in Essex, to have a fully bespoke cage installed. Jon is a fantastic fabricator and in the process of fitting the cage, he discovered the rust worm had been well at work.

1. PREPPING FOR THE CAGE INSTALLATION

2. OUCH, GREMLINS AT WORK!

Stripping back the sills soon revealed that major work was required. The inner and outer sills and the bottom of both the A and B posts were far worse than anticipated. In addition, both the front jacking boxes were eaten away. Jon set about the task of fabricating a beautiful nw pair of jacking boxes to original spec.

1.

2.

Likewise,

3. ORIGINAL RUST EATEN JACKING BOX

4. BEAUTIFUL NEWLY FABRICATED JACKING BOX!

New floor panel sections were fabricated and welded in place above the new jacking boxes.

5. NEW JACKING BOX IN SITU (n/s)

6. NEW FLOOR SECTION ABOVE JACKING BOX (o/s)

crafted new

7. A PILLAR REPAIRS (n/s)

8. A PILLAR, SILL AND JACKING BOX (o/s)

and

9. RUSTED BASE OF B PILLAR REMOVED (n/s)

10. Fabricated B pillar repair section

11. REPAIR SECTION IN PLACE

12. B pillar & inner sill repair (o/s)

New outer sills were fitted with new end sections fabricated.

3.

5.

4.

6.

7.

8.

The bottom of both A pillars were stripped right back and Jon perfectly

sections and inner sill repair panels, with a superb quality of work throughout.

the B Pillars required Jon’s skills. Rusted areas were cut away

replacement sections fabricated.

9.

10. 11.

12.

14.

Once the jacking box, floor, pillar and sill repairs were complete, Jon was able to resume his roll cage installation with beautifully made main cage supports, fully welded in.

16.

The completed full cage, offers excellent roof, side and frontal protection.

18.

Sadly Jon’s cage-building skills were in high demand by the film industry meaning he did not have the time to devote to finishing the shell repairs.

At this point, the unfinished project was trailered up to RBW Classic Cars in Teeside, run by Steve Green. Steve had previously restored a Triumph TR3A for me, so his skills and dedication were already well known. Logic dictated that we needed to totally strip VFS to a bare shell, blast to bare metal, check all the dimensions on a body jig, and to complete all body repairs with replacement panels where required, etch prime and paint.

13. FABRICATED SILL END SECTION

SILL TO A PILLAR FABRICATION (n/s)

13.

14.

15. REAR MAIN CAGE MOUNTING (N/S)

Front main cage mounting (o/s)

15.

16.

17.

18.

17. ROOF AND SIDE PROTECTION

Dash and turret extension (n/s)

The boot floor was modified to take a 40 litre ProAlloy foam filled and baffled tank. To facilitate fuelling from the outside, the original filler cap was removed and a new filler positioned higher up, as per the Works cars.

An aluminium fuel compartment was fabricated to comply with safety regulations, with sufficient space to accommodate any future dry sump tank.

The pedal box mounting was reinforced so as to prevent bulkhead movement under braking.

The second part of this article will detail the finishing of the shell and the fitting of all components back into the car.

(To be continued)

19. SHELL BLASTED AND PRIMED 20. SHELL ON BODY JIG

19.

21.

23.

20.

22.

24.

21. MODIFIED BOOT FLOOR 22. FUEL COMPARTMENT AND FILLER COVER

23. ORIGINAL FILLER APERTURE BLANKED OFF 24. REVISED FILLER LOCATION

25. PEDAL BOX REINFORCEMENT

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT

RICHARD DIRECTLY ON parts@sunbeamlotus.com

After months of trying to find a wheel refurbishment company who are able to offer a club deal I’ve now done a deal with a company in the Bedford.

Chemical strip, primer, powder coat, diamond cut & lacquer for £80 a wheel (plus any carriage costs).

They will be painted in the correct original colour RAL7035.

The company requires a minimum quantity 40 wheels to achieve this price.

All wheels will be individually stamped on the inside so you will get your own wheels back. No buckled or bent wheels so please have wheels checked for roundness.

This is a refurbishment service only, no repairs/straightening/welding to wheels will be undertaken.

FROM SLOC NEW ITEMS

SERVICE WALLET PACK

NEW! We have reproduced the wallet to keep your service book safe, and if you do not have one of those, we have had some of those made as well! Licensed by Lotus themselves, the wallet features the same design as the original, albeit with subtly smaller printing to avoid any confusion with original examples. The service book is a complete makeover of the original 1980 version (earlier cars came

with a Chrysler version but if you had bought a replacement book it would invariably have been the Talbot version). Following the same design, it features all of the useful pages from the original that provide information on servicing your car but without pages relating to warranty, etc. The service record section has been extended to cover up to 200,000 miles. These can be used to continue your service records from your original book, or if you never had one, to start from whenever you began servicing your car. Although they look like a period service book, they are different enough

so as not to be mistaken for an original.

To complete the pack, we also have a reproduction of the handbook supplement for Sunbeam Lotus, covering all years of car. All three items are available exclusively to SLOC members for a package price of only £30. Postage at £2 in the UK.

TYRE PRESSURE DECAL

Inspired by the yellow stickers fitted to export models (as required by legislation in certain countries, no doubt), we have produced our very own version for application to UK cars. Using recommended pressures from the handbook (24psi for normal running) and a car outline that looks rather more like a Sunbeam than the original version, we have made ours in black text on white vinyl, sized to fit on the B pillar above the door lock. These are certainly not a requirement for that authentic period look but are a bit of fun while also

being a useful reminder of the required pressure – whether that be for your benefit or your service garage. £3 plus postage.

SUNBEAM S1 BADGE DECALS

We can now provide decals to freshen up any tired SUNBEAM badge on the back of your series 1 car. Easy to apply, once you have cleaned up the badge. £5 each.

TALBOT AND S2 BADGE DECALS

We can supply chrome vinyl decals to freshen up the badges on your series 2 car. Easy to apply (although the Sunbeam is a little trickier…) we will need to know the markings on the back of each badge to ensure we supply the correct decal. £10 each or £25 for a set of three.

NEW REGALIA

for 2023

TEA TOWELS!

8 PLUS P&P

Yes, you read that correctly, now in stock featuring artwork of all production variants of the glorious Sunbeam Lotus. 100% cotton. Perfect to dry dishes, car parts or even just to pin to the wall of your garage. Only £8 to members, plus postage.

SWEATSHIRTS

New into stock, we have a new line of garment and very nice quality it is, too. Featuring the club logo on the chest, it can be yours for only £25 plus postage. We have a limited range of sizes in stock, all in black; please provide chest size to help us select the best size for you.

BASEBALL HAT

HOODIES

Also in stock we have some rather lovely and warm hoodies. These are quality garments, featuring exclusive designs of a road car (several versions available, others available to order) with a ghosted rally car alongside. £50 plus postage; please provide chest size to help us select the best size for you, Burgundy & Grey in stock.

DRINK MATS

Made from 99.5% Recycled material, inc. 40% recycled rubber tyres. - £3 each or 4 for £10 + P&P.

If you would like to purchase any of these contact regalia@sunbeamlotus.com

T-SHIRTS

available in White or Grey @ £20 plus P&P.

Car design ones can be customised with your reg number for £25 plus P&P.

For enquiries contact regalia@sunbeamlotus.com

Unless stated, postage to be added at cost.

LIGHTS

REFURBISHED S2 HEADLIGHT AVAILABLE

They look like new and will transform the tired and probable MOT failure headlights that all S2 cars have by now. They are sold on an exchange basis, we can tell you how to separate the glass from the shell and you can exchange your tired and rusty shells yourself. We supply clear and concise instructions on how to dismantle the lights along with guidance as to the correct glass sealer you would need to put them together. Let’s face it, we own a lotus Sunbeam, so most of us have the capability to do the upgrade ourselves. The price for a pair is £330.00 inc. postage. This would normally cost you £200.00 per headlight, We would need to do them in batches of at least a dozen to keep the price we have. Get in touch with Mike Trim and grab yourself a pair.

ARBURY Return to

You missed a great day...

I REMEMBER FRANK URSO TELLING ME.

Ok I had a Sunbeam Lotus at the time but not a DAC car, and Arbury is the Home of Leon Gibbs and the DAC car, right?… Wrong!

Well, it is but Arbury and Leon were involved with the Sunbeam lotus from the off, always remember the photo of the PreProduction car FHP612T with a member of the Arbury staff at the wheel.

That Arbury day was 10 years ago and for me things have changed because I now have a DAC car, and selfishly wanted to experience the second bite of the cherry at Arbury. and so it began with a telephone conversation with Leon and the possibility of a second Arbury day. I don’t know who was more enthusiastic, me or Leon, but we seemed to be on the same wave length. I then consulted the all relevant people and a double spread event ad appeared in the magazine.

The intention was to gather as many DAC

cars together for Leon but not to exclude any Sunbeam Lotus. After a lot of chasing of members and overdoing Facebook posts…..

18th June came and was a fantastically sunny Fathers day.

We started with a meet up at Industry and Supply (with Kevin Malcolm’s organisation).

Then on to Sunbeam Way, where ‘photographer’ Chris Edwards did an amazing job of capturing the cars in their true setting.

Then on to Arbury and descended onto the true organising genius of Leon Gibbs and his team. What an attendance and what a day!

From the Works Sunbeam Alpines of Leon’s to the 20 Sunbeam Lotuses, this included 10 DAC cars for Leon, Narrowly missing the record of 11 gathered at the Lotus Festival at Stoneleigh back in 1990, this was confirmed by a ‘founding member’ Graham O’Discoll, who was heavily involved in the DAC cars in the 80’s and 90’s with the Club.

All the visitors created a warm and friendly atmosphere, the garage was full and buzzing with excitement, everyone made a special effort to make “Return to Arbury” such a special event.

Special mention about 2 members that I contacted that were unaware of the event and made special efforts to attend with their car, Jenny Nichols, DAC98Y had been off the

road for a number of years and she made a massive effort to get the car road worthy to drive to Arbury. Howard Blundell with DAC51Y had a big family bash on the Saturday night/ Sunday morning but somehow still managed to get up in the morning and trailer his car to Industry and Supply and then drive it to Arbury.

This is a rather shortened version of a remarkable day, I did plan over the coming issues to do small articles on the members involved and a few more photos.

I’ll sign off now with a big thank you to Leon and his immediate family and his ‘extended’ Arbury “family” for the hospitality and a outstanding occasion

KARL WRIGHT (336)

CONTACT: Richard Blackburn unless otherwise stated.

SLOCPARTS

AMIL WHEEL CENTRE CAPS

Satin Black AMIL wheel centre caps, identical to the originals by using the “metal spinning” process

Price £15 each or £50 for 4 or £60 for 5, all plus postage.

STRIPES

Please contact David Moodie at stripes@ sunbeamlotus.com

SERIES 2 HEADLIGHTS

* SEE SEPERATE ADVERT

DEALER STICKERS for your rear hatch glass

How about some originality?  We can now replicate all your rear window dealer stickers.  We have done four so far and we can do any others depedant on demand.  Let us know if you want one of the existing ones or if you would like us to do one for you that we don’t already have. Price £10 inc. UK P&P

FIBERGLASS PARCEL SHELVES

These parcels shelves include the hinge pins but not the support strings. If required, we can supply a drawing for the support strings.

The price is £220.00 + £22.00 carriage. Taking Deposits for next batch.

SEAT FABRIC

The club has a supply of the correct shark grey seat fabric for Series 1 cars. This fabric is available to club members at an offer price of £150.00 + p&p

The fabric is durable, colourfast and fire resistant and have all the necessary approvals, and will not fade, slip or tear.

The S2 Piccadilly fabric for Series 2 is available to club members at £280 + p&p

NEW - HEATER MATRIX

In line with the club’s policy to get “hard to find” parts remanufactured, we have had a sample heater matrix made in aluminium. It is anticipated that the price for these will be between £350.00 and £400.00 when we order a batch of 10 units.

If you require one of these, we need a £50.00 deposit and I will add your name to the list of orders. When we have reached 5 orders, we will have a batch made.

ASHLEY COMPETITION EXHAUSTS

They offer a discount to SLOC members Ashley have produced a “works style”manifold based on a genuine works exhaust manifold. This manifold is fitted with a 2.25” outlet to suit their competition system sold separately.

The road exhaust is a three box system.

Contact: Brian Ashley directly (01922 720767)

BREATHERS/FLAMETRAPS

They are filled with oil vapour gauze filters and can be removed, opened, cleaned and replaced.

The filters can also be replaced if required.

They are £95 each + £5 p&p to UK addresses.

Taking Deposits for next batch.

AVAILABLE from SLOC

HOSES

TOP Hose ........................ £15.00

BOTTOM Hose................. £13.00

Manifold to Pump .......... £11.00

Water Pump to elbow .... £11.00

TOP & BOTTOM Hoses .... £26.00

Pump Hoses ................... £20.00

All Four Hoses ................. £45.00

p&p £7.50 for 4 off to UK addresses.

and a FREE Club Tax Disc Holder Contact chairman@sunbeamlotus.com

Period Tax Disc

with whatever vehicle details you want. You can even choose your own postmark!

£10 will get you 6 discs (all the same) and a FREE Club Tax Disc Holder CONTACT chairman@sunbeamlotus.com or give Perry a call one evening

WORKS RALLY DECALS

These are available from Graeme Lawton. Please contact him directly; his details are inside the front cover.

S1

TALBOT BADGE

New bonnet badges are available for £20 including postage within UK.

UNDER BONNET DECALS

The club now has the following under-bonnet decals in stock @ £3.00 each.

SERIES 1:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine oil level decal for the standard Airbox (both S1 & S2) .

SERIES 2:

SLOC MERCHANDISE

If there is an item of clothing that you wish to buy with club branding, please let us know and we’ll see if we can supply it. We are continually looking for new items to produce.

EACH

£5 EACH

Professionally printed POSTER on heavy photo paper, 42cm x 59cm.

BLANK

-

are the correct type for your Sunbeam Lotus as available in period.

£5 EACH

KEYS

These

£15

Leather KEY FOBS Club, Laurel & Talbot Logos

Sunbeam Lotus MUGS – (SLOC2) £5

Sunbeam Lotus MUGS – (SLOC1)

SEAT FABRIC

Have you thought about trimming other items in the grey or striped fabric? We can supply off-cuts to suit any need, or rolls to re-trim larger vehicles, e.g. a camper van; unleash your imagination!

MUD FLAP DECALS

In stock, replacement decals in a hardwearing vinyl (slightly different finish to originals but the same size, shape and design). Also suitable for a tool box! £3 each plus postage.

VARIOUS WINDOW CLING DECALS

Club name (white on clear as well as white on blue), Talbot and Talbot On The Move. Inspired by period decals, add one to your Sunbeam for only £5 each plus postage

Member 655 STEPHEN STRINGER

Steve Stringer passed away this morning, 23rd September.

He was in France helping with route layout for a cycling event. He competed on numerous European rallies including West Euro cup in 1998 in a Peugeot 205 before switching to. Sunbeam Lotus. He was also a former British auto test champion in a Lotus seven which he was still campaigning this year, even taking an FTD within the last month. He will be missed

BILL COOK