BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Howdy! I thought I would update some as my attendance has been sporadic here for a while.. like everyone, life has twists and turns, but the biggest thing lately kind of has to do with my avatar..as such. Loyal readers will know I used to Autocross heavily (low-budget parking lot racing). but I enjoyed it and was Nationally ranked.. (I took 2nd in the Nation in SCCA in 1998 in my class in my avatar car) Anyway, I behaved pretty well and did not purchase another vehicle for 10 years, but a few years back, I had the opportunity and the itch and the flood gates opened!! First up, I bought this. A 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP coupe manual 5spd.. Last year, I won my local championship against various Porsches and Corvettes. 8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Then, I decided the Pontiac was not the fastest quirky car to have in class, so I looked for an orange Lotus... couldn't find one.. so I bought this.. (Still have the Pontiac) But then I sold it.. (new owner shown, getting ready to drive away in it..) 2005 Lotus Elise 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 2 months after I bought the dark blue one, an orange one showed up with less miles, 5 miles from the first one!! A 2005 Lotus Elise in Chrome Orange... KEEPING this one!! (And won two races for 2 races in it this year!) 7 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 And I just kinda splurged to add a little monster to the mix... I added a 2008 Lotus Exige S240 to the mix... (shown after a fun first day track outing, pre wash) If I keep this up, I may have to change my avatar to a Palm... or ..an A/C unit?..lol 5 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOT A TA 1,020 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 I've wanted an Elise since they came to the USA and then wanted an Exige even more! I like those S 240 waaaaay too much! Have too many cars and keep trying to continue selling down (although I may look at an 88 Alfa Spider Quad project this weekend) Does the S 240 have the touring pack or no? Being a road track kinda guy I wouldn't want that option. So, what's next? Perhaps a 2-Eleven? 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy 4,895 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 34 minutes ago, BS Man about Palms said: Then, I decided the Pontiac was not the fastest quirky car to have in class, so I looked for an orange Lotus... couldn't find one.. so I bought this.. (Still have the Pontiac) But then I sold it.. (new owner shown, getting ready to drive away in it..) 2005 Lotus Elise Whooo... you had us worried. I see that you have taken good care of the weeds next to the driveway, wouldn't want those to get neglected. So is that you late on Saturday nights that I hear on the Coast Highway with the rpm's wound up between our Leucadia speed bumps??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darold Petty 2,554 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Last year, I won my local championship against various Porsches and Corvettes. Just shows that the driver is more important than the machine. Bill drove me from Oceanside to Fallbrook, I had no idea we could get there so quickly ! 1 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HtownPalms 257 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 As a fellow car nut I understand how time consuming the car hobby is! My dad raced SCCA in the mid-90s. There is an MSR track 6 miles from my house that always has events going on. Taking my kids later today after they get out of school. Im more into restoring classic cars, but my boys love supercars. I sometimes hear people on palmtalk say how expensive the palm tree hobby is. Compared to the car hobby this is practically free! Your Lotus is awesome! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRabbit 1,623 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Lotus makes some fun cars! Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s are actually a little too big for my taste, something smaller like a Lotus is ideal I think. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butch 285 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Always wanted a Lotus... Only real sports car I ever had was a very old Kurtis Kraft... Fun car, but crazy fast... Wish I still had it... You have the bug, for sure... Butch 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frond-friend42 216 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 You can get a lot of great palm trees in exchange for those cars. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eastendr 33 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Fantastic, but when do we get to see the TVR?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fusca 1,712 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 43 minutes ago, Eastendr said: Fantastic, but when do we get to see the TVR?! Too much work to move all of the potted palms? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOT A TA 1,020 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 3 hours ago, HtownPalms said: I sometimes hear people on palmtalk say how expensive the palm tree hobby is. Compared to the car hobby this is practically free! ^^^ Ya got that right!!! I've mentioned it before but I think we need a "Show car thread" there's a lot of us who have all sorts of cool cars & trucks from one extreme to the other I've noticed in peoples palmy pics. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OC2Texaspalmlvr 626 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 @NOT A TA start a thread with you car next to your palms haha 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOT A TA 1,020 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 27 minutes ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said: @NOT A TA start a thread with you car next to your palms haha Ha, I started a thread while you posted this^^^! Join in! Share a pic or a few! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bgl 3,130 Report post Posted October 2, 2020 Ahhh Bill, nothing beats a true obsession! Glad to know (and see) that you're having lots of fun, and when it comes to having fun there's no better time than RIGHT NOW! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HtownPalms 257 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 Awesome! Once I find the new thread I will post some pictures! 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoomsDave 8,689 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 We should try racing down Whittier Booley to the Dark Tower thru East LA some early ungodly hour of the morning . . . . 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 9 hours ago, Eastendr said: Fantastic, but when do we get to see the TVR?! Heres 4 of them... lower left is my avatar car... OK.. so more details... lower left, 79 TVR 3000S, my avatar car upper left, 68 TVR Tuscan V8 upper right, 77 TVR Taimar Turbo lower right, 72 TVR "Hybrid" with a 302 Ford in it.. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 12 hours ago, NOT A TA said: I've wanted an Elise since they came to the USA and then wanted an Exige even more! I like those S 240 waaaaay too much! Have too many cars and keep trying to continue selling down (although I may look at an 88 Alfa Spider Quad project this weekend) Does the S 240 have the touring pack or no? Being a road track kinda guy I wouldn't want that option. So, what's next? Perhaps a 2-Eleven? It has Track Pak, Touring Pak and factory LSD.. Reflash to 260 too.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tyrone 1,996 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 Bill, glad to see ya still around and like probably all of us, you have a passion other than palms. One car I would love to have you just can not get here in Oz. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat. What a monster. Would love one. Either that or the Jeep Trackhawk upped to 1000HP. It’s the Cherokee with the Hellcat engine. So powerful it’s just stoooppiddddd...... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darold Petty 2,554 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 8 hours ago, BS Man about Palms said: It has Track Pak, Touring Pak and factory LSD.. Reflash to 260 too.. 'factory LSD' ? I could have used that in 1969. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redant 1,147 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 22 hours ago, BS Man about Palms said: 2 months after I bought the dark blue one, an orange one showed up with less miles, 5 miles from the first one!! A 2005 Lotus Elise in Chrome Orange... KEEPING this one!! (And won two races for 2 races in it this year!) Probably one of the most perfect autocross cars. On the highway though they are scary small. Great toy. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redant 1,147 Report post Posted October 3, 2020 Not great for autocross but she makes a great lawn ornament. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palm Tree Jim 1,022 Report post Posted October 8, 2020 Some of my palmy pictures..... 3 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,344 Report post Posted November 16, 2020 Here is a "sorta" yard update using the Exige washed about 3 weeks ago.. Among other things than these playtoys, I am waaay behind on yard maintenance again.. I need to make a dent on these weeds before rainy season starts!! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Chance 837 Report post Posted November 16, 2020 This is so awesome! I am actually a big fan of racing as well as palms. I tried driving a Ferrari on an autocross course years ago and loved it. Don't think my wife would approve of me doing it these days. I have been barking up that tree for years but apparently it's too dangerous. Bill you have some awesome cars there! Definitely better than my Dodge Dart with a 1.4 turbocharged Fiat 500 engine and 6 speed manual transmission. Definitely fun to drive but not fast enough for autocross. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John in Andalucia 623 Report post Posted November 16, 2020 Hi Bill, Nice to catch up with you and actually see your cars! I recall a few years ago we had a conversation about Ginetta? I've always liked Lotus too. Glad to see you're still getting younger! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gonzer 1,695 Report post Posted November 16, 2020 4 hours ago, BS Man about Palms said: I am waaay behind on yard maintenance again.. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Chance 837 Report post Posted November 16, 2020 1 minute ago, Gonzer said: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
