Hello Everyone, Potential new owner in ?Nottingham / Daventry

I've joined the forum as I'm deliberating if I need a Lister Bell in my life.

I've have a Lotus Elise S at the moment which I've for a few years and although I thoroughly enjoy its handling, styling and performance but its little too mice for modifying and requires nearly no tinkering which is something I rather enjoy.

I've looked into kitcars in the past, I even started a ZCars Race - Mini which I sold but there has always been specific issues or design characteristics which have been enough to put me off until I discovered the Lister Bell kits.
I obviously love the look of these cars but its the layout / weight distribution and scope to fit a V6 which really appeals to me. There also been a few Fulvia's in the family so I do have a week spot for Lancia.

I'm from Nottingham, not far from Ikea although work for 920 Engineering / Shiftec in Daventry.

Like I've already said I'm genuinely considering a Lister Bell and as soon as the Autosport show is out of the way I'm going to get in touch to see if I can visit them for a look around but was hoping to get some feedback on the cars beforehand.
I have no doubt that the kits are a good quality and I'm sure that the kits go together very well after looking at a few builds on here but how perform /compare to there cars? Is there any other Elise owners or perhaps sports car drivers?

Besides a Lister Bell I'd only sell the Lotus to make room for another Lotus or a Mk2 Escort in Grp4 spec which I realise would cost me significantly more to buy and for the latter regular rebuilds and service charges that come with motorsports parts.
This leads onto another question, are there any owners who use your cars in competition/ are they eligible for any rallying? If I decide to buy a kit I think I'd like to make it a Group 4 replica with the intention of perhaps using it for the occasional event.

Anyway, this looks like a friendly place, hopefully I will become friends with a few of you and any help or guidance would be appreciated.,


Dan MM

Hi Dan

I work in Meadowbank Court, Eastwood opposite the Warburtons bread factory........ great smell !.......... live at Southwell near Newark.

I have also had a Fulvia... still have a Fulvia Zagato in the corner of the garage waiting for me to retire and get it restored !....

By the way...............................YOU NEED A LISTERBELL IN YOUR LIFE !...

Good luck

Phil

Hi Dan,

I've had 2 Hawk Stratos and for one year, an S1 Elise.
I feared for my back when removing the battery on the Elise. Immediate clam access is one area where a Stratos scores above the Lotus.

Mark (Redline) has a competition prepared (white 'Zenith') Lister Bell. Cage protection in the LB is robust to say the least.

Competition preparation is one thing. Getting a log book is another entirely.
Is there any up to date information about recent log book applications to the MSA?
Without one you can forget rally's but can still have great fun on speed events.

Re the performance aspect. No direct answer to your question since my Group 4 replica isn't built yet but I've had pretty much every variation of Lotus Elise, Exige and Esprit along with more than-a-few exotic Italian, German and even British 2 seater sports cars. One of my toy cars at the moment is a 600bhp Ultima GTR.

Anything light weight with decent level of power is going to be fast so I'm expecting my Stratos to be fairly rapid and handle fairly well. I had a passenger ride with Craig from LB and that put me in mind of being in an Exige test drive (apart from the bit we were airborne, the Lotus guy never got us off the ground) :D

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Originally Posted by ProtoTipo

I feared for my back when removing the battery on the Elise.

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ah, the joy of hauling the battery up through the narrow "tunnel" of wiring and plumbing - I remember it well (and still have the scars)

Dan, have you watched the Autocar video on youtube of Steve Sutcliffe driving the green LB on the track - might give you some idea.

Cheers,
Graham

Hi Phil, good to hear from you, I think I know the place, are you opposite RacePaint UK?
It makes me very sad to think that one of the Fulvia's was deemed to be 'too far gone' and was cut up and taken to the tip and the other was given away for free and has never been seen since; if only I had be old enough to claim them for myself : (
Do you have a Lister Bell too?

Dan

Thank you all for your replies and thank you 'Long time fan' for finding me at the Autosport show, it was good to hear how much fun your having since starting your build!
Its also reassuring how complimentary all of you are about the kits and it has reinforced a few assumptions I already had about competition use.

Seeing Steve Perez real Stratos at the Autosport show has made me crave one even more (I literally looked at every mm of that car for half an hour, Steve is also responsible for my love of these after he turned up at my uni in his red road car many years ago) but DanSport really have done a fantastic job of preparing the car on display and this is what I'd want mine to look like (minus the sponsors) if I do undertake the build.

Hope to meet a few more of you at the Stoneleigh show if no before!


Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanMM

Hi Phil, good to hear from you, I think I know the place, are you opposite RacePaint UK?
It makes me very sad to think that one of the Fulvia's was deemed to be 'too far gone' and was cut up and taken to the tip and the other was given away for free and has never been seen since; if only I had be old enough to claim them for myself : (
Do you have a Lister Bell too?

Dan

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Hi Dan

No we are not opposite Racepaints.... there is a small ish "Court" which is opposite Warburtons main lorry entrance.... I can see the main Eastwood bypass Island from our offices...

I have 2 Hawks, Fulvia Zagato (rusting in the corner) and couple of other non Lancia cars

Must admit that the LB with a Toyota 3.5 VVT really interests me !

If you go over to LB you are always welcome to call in

Cheers

Phil

Hello All
Well it didn't take long!! After a pleasant and very interesting trip over to ListerBell at the weekend I'm excited and almost equally as scared to say that I've placed a deposit for a chassis!!
I'm currently undecided on spec and colours etc but very much looking forward to getting started.
It would really be great if I can meet a few of you to take a look at your builds and finished cars before I have to commit to a specification. Please let me know if any of you are heading out for a drive or a meet and I will try my best to meet you.
Besides that, if anyone has original parts, donor parts or a build trolley which you are looking to off-load please get in touch!

Dan

Dan - you are not too far from me. If you want to come and have a look over my build so far, let me know.

Pop up to Phil's garage day in March? Derby way, there'll be a few cars there!
Guy

Well done for thinking about getting one and then doing it.

Dan
Congratulations on a decision well made. I am expecting delivery of my LB kit in the next couple of months. Having placed the order last April I have spent the intervening time researching and gathering parts, agonising over spec and colours but finally made my mind up. I am only down the road in Derby so once it arrives you are welcome to visit at any time.
All the best
Neil

Why are there so many LB owners/builders in the Nottingham area ? - is there something in the air ?

- a remote southerner !

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Originally Posted by Stratos Fear

Why are there so many LB owners/builders in the Nottingham area ? - is there something in the air ?

- a remote southerner !

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I wondered that - a remote east-anglianer..

The area is well known for having a populace of impeccable taste.

...or it could be that when they were trying to decide and being fairly local, Craig sent a few of The Boys around to visit, for a wee "inspirational chat" with "incentives"...??

Thanks for all the messages and best wishes, I’m already really enjoying searching for parts and but i am realising deciding on a final spec is going to be incredibly difficult!
I will definately have to take a few of you up on your offers to come and see your projects soon.
I agree with John on the Nottingham connection, there are far to many owners to be a coincidence!
I’m expecting most of you will be attending the Stonleigh show?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stratos Fear

Why are there so many LB owners/builders in the Nottingham area ? - is there something in the air ?

- a remote southerner !

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They're clearly too scared to travel south of the Thames, and/or are scared of the language barrier:cool:

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Originally Posted by Strat Fan

They're clearly too scared to travel south of the Thames, and/or are scared of the language barrier:cool:

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I think Watford Gap is the stumbling block!

I've never been to Watford Gap. Is there a bridge over it yet?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanMM

Hello All
Well it didn't take long!! After a pleasant and very interesting trip over to ListerBell at the weekend I'm excited and almost equally as scared to say that I've placed a deposit for a chassis!!
I'm currently undecided on spec and colours etc but very much looking forward to getting started.
It would really be great if I can meet a few of you to take a look at your builds and finished cars before I have to commit to a specification. Please let me know if any of you are heading out for a drive or a meet and I will try my best to meet you.
Besides that, if anyone has original parts, donor parts or a build trolley which you are looking to off-load please get in touch!

Dan

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Oh Good....................I can play guess your Chassis number with you :)

Hi all,
I too placed a deposit on an LB Stratos a couple of months ago and am patiently waiting for the 12-18 months waiting list to tick by! Like Dan I am filled with excitement and terror, usually in equal measures but depending on whatever thread I've read on the day the realisation of the size of the task I've given myself and the minefield of obstacles that will have to be deftly navigated!!! I have always drooled over the Stratos ever since I was a young boy so this will be the realisation of a lifelong dream, a massive challenge and a massive achievement. I consider myself to be fairly competent on the spanners but I know I'm no auto engineer and this will be a very steep learner curve (near vertical at times). I've recently managed to source a 166 3.0l donor car and am researching engine extraction and parts strip requirements. I'm also looking at the dual mass to single mass flywheel conversion and would appreciate any advice on offer.


Hi Dan,
I live only a couple of miles from Eastwood so would be interested to keep in touch and compare notes.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve65

I work in Eastwood !... but live in Southwell... Not the same but I have 2 Hawks to look at if you are interested.....
Cheers
Phil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve65

I've recently managed to source a 166 3.0l donor car and am researching engine extraction and parts strip requirements. I'm also looking at the dual mass to single mass flywheel conversion and would appreciate any advice on offer.

Cheers
Steve

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TTV now do a solid flywheel. I got them to make me one using an OEM solid one as a pattern. They now sell a 6.5kg lightweight version (the one they made for me) and an 8kg OEM weight version. AHM also sell it under their own brand.

Dan, Steve,

I have a Garage Day on 15th September in Buxton Derbyshire, you are both welcome to come along and chat to other members of the group. I have a LB Stradale which went on the road last November and as you say there is a lot to learn.

Gordon

Another Nottingham LB - there is definitely something odd going on here . Does Craig advertise on the side of local buses by any chance?

Steve I live in Derby (Chellaston) so not far and picking my chassis up next week. Your more than welcome to pop over and have a look and discuss / view things from the beginning of the build journey.
Neil

Hi Bernard,
how come 2 Hawks!!! What engines/spec do they run? If they are Alfa 3.0 I would definitely be interested thanks.

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Originally Posted by Steve65

Hi Bernard,
how come 2 Hawks!!! What engines/spec do they run? If they are Alfa 3.0 I would definitely be interested thanks.

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I was taking after Johnny 2 Jag's Prescott !
Both run Alfa V6 24V
Cheers
Phil