Fear and Loathing on the LML (was: Reality check... (long, but informative...))

[DMCVegas@xxxx]

I have to admit, it takes a lot to catch me off guard. But this is 
downright shocking! I've had to put up with alot from owners of other 
marquee's. I've had to sit thru endless amounts of cocaine jokes, but 
this truly does take the cake! Never, I mean NEVER did I ever suspect 
that Lotus owners would be such "enemies" of our cars. Lets check out 
a few facts here.

> THIS IS INTEESTING...
> snip--->"C'mon guys, how can you give such short shrift to the car 
that 
> nearly
> destroyed Lotus?

Destoryed Lotus? If I remember correctly, they were desperately 
hunting for capitol to keep their company afloat! It was the Juhan's 
who kept Lotus going.

>When the project turned into a fiasco, it
> was discovered that millions of pounds of subsidies from the UK 
>government
> were unaccounted for.

Yes, ever heard of GPD Services? Or better yet for the hardcore Lotus 
owner, how about the book the DeLorean/Chapman Conspiracy? Why was 
it's printing canceled? From what I've found out about the book it 
was also about how Chapman fleeced DMC.

>The stress of the subsequent investigation is what
> finally broke Chapman, and is widely believed to have caused his 
>untimely
> death in 1982. 

Yes, this too is a VERY interesting point! The investigation led to 
the conviction of 2 higher-up employees within Lotus on fraud 
charges. And how convienient was it that Chapman suddenly "died", and 
that his wife refused to let investigators exhume his body in a 
effort to confirm that it was really there!


> The handling is supposed to be something of a pig thanks to the
> considerable weight and the high nose...

Supposed to be? I take it this person has never even driven a 
DeLorean.

>I've driven the
> delorean a few times and it handles like a grocery
> cart with an over sized load of groceies for Rosanne
> Barr!!!! Its a pig with way too much weight (the
> stainless) 

For some one who "knows" the car I guess that he forgot to mention 
the fact that 1. The stainless doesn't contribute to the wieght that 
much. 2. The DeLorean and the Esprit weigh almost the same!
Either this person didn't really drive a DeLorean, or they lack more 
then a few driving skills. "Cute-sy" little comments with lame humor 
DO NOT make up for rude and uncalled for comments.

> I believe it was originally meant to use the Renault Alpine 
>drivetrain

>I don't know about developing the car, but the Delorean had a dog of 
>a Volvo
> engine in it. 

More "I don't knows" and "I think"'s from people commenting on the 
car, yet don't know the first thing about it! We have younger list 
members in the 14+ age rage who do reports on John DeLorean, DMC, and 
the car itself. I'd put my money on one of them that they know more 
about the car and DMC then any of these people! I was one of them 
myself!

>Delorean had grandiose dreams of a
>ceramic twin turbo engine with hundreds of HP

Gee whizz? Ever heard of the 4-cylinder Espirt w/turbos you hypocrite?

And lastly, here is the very finest that sums up the ignorace and 
egos of these people.

> Lotus actually did a large part of the design for DMC (DeLorean
> Motor Company). I don't know the full extent of it, but I do know
> they designed the entire suspension. I follow the DeLorean list
> (planning on picking one up one day), and they almost seem to have a
> little penis envy when it comes to Lotus IMHO. There have been
> threads recently claiming that the Delorean handles better than its
> Lotus cousin. I find that a little hard to believe. Regardless, 
it's
> hard to take the comparison too seriously when the DeLorean motor is
> only putting out about 130HP.

I find it very interesting that to compare his own car this man has 
to use phallic referances in order to feel more secure with his own 
comments. Rather then getting into any crude comments I could make, 
let me just say this to match. It's not envy on anyone's side here. 
No DeLorean's don't have as powerful an engine as most Espirts do. 
But if you are jellous that ours see more action then your's do (our 
cars that is), then I can understand that. :)

As far as handling goes, yes, I do belive that a DeLorean could out 
perform a Lotus. They are very close in comparison, but the DeLorean 
has the advantage: It has a larger following of more dedicated 
enthusists and owners that are willing to do more for it.
I seriously hope this man doesn't end up with a DeLorean. He would be 
degrading to the car. He'd drive it out in public, and slam it in 
front of everyone he meets.

If you really are on this list, then feel free to e-mail me privately

dmcvegas(at)lvcm.com

I am disappointed that you felt this way all this time, yet didn't 
have the courage to say anything to anyone here. Bottom line: If it's 
so bad a car, why does this person want one?

And if anyone wants to, feel free to cross this over to the Lotus 
mailing list. I am aware of my comments and the anger it will cause. 
Although I must also state that it will be no less then was caused 
when I read these postings! But I also realize that this may not 
reflect the true opinions of all Lotus enthusists. I say all of this 
not out of anger or hate. But for the love of my car. Not I, nor did 
anyone else here "provoke" and kind of an attack or say an ill thing 
about any Lotus cars. I and others have something with our cars that 
other marquees do not have. Pride! We are proud to display our cars 
in public. I believe that pretty much everyone here is very 
respectful of other peoples cars. We have all at one time or another 
had someone ask us the question: "So, find any cocaine in your car 
anywhere?" But respect keeps us from saying things like: Hey, nice 
Vette! Got any Viagra stashed in the glove box?

In closing, I thank Dan for posting these messages, and I also agree 
with him. Comparison is what is devaluing our cars, not 
modifications. And to Dan and everyone else, don't feel embarassed or 
ashamed. No one here has done anything wrong. If we are guilty of 
anything, then it is being unique! I've never once felt ashamed for 
not being a leming and conforming to what a magazine or someone 
else's opinion is concerning a car.

-Robert
vin 6585