In September of 1990 I embarked on a mission. I bought two rusty, beat-up, parts scavenged wrecks that were once Lotus Cortinas. I spent hundreds of hours over the next seven years tearing them both down, picking out the best body and parts, selling off the spares, sandblasting the entire body, welding in new body parts and new metal, priming, painting and finishing the body. I also tore down, sandblasted, painted and rebuilt every little part attached to that car.
Over the years I chronicled the restoration in monthly articles in the Lotus Notus, trying to give restoration tips in a humorous way. By the time I was finished in September of 1997, I had published 47 articles. I've kept them all and maybe some day I'll make a book out of them.
I really enjoyed the time spent restoring and driving Tina. A lot of the time my boys were involved, and many times the whole family would go out on drives, often it was just me and Tina. The car looked great, ran great, and together we won a few trophies. But things change. I was driving her less and less. Space was becoming an issue and I had to start thinking about college money for Mike. Speaking of Mike, when I first got Tina in 1990, Mike could stand up inside of her. Now he is 6'4" tall! So any ways, it was just time to find Tina a new home.
I put out some flyers at the British Car Festival and the Lotus Owners Gathering. I got a few bites but no one had the excess funds for the high $$ I was asking. I tried ebay and got a LOT of interest. Over 3500 hits on the counter. I answered over 50 emails on the car but in the end the bidding again just petered out.
Finally, I put an ad in Autoweek, and one day I got a voice-mail: "Elloo, dis ees E-lias calling abooot de Cortina Low-tus". After many, many telephone conversations, faxes, e-mails and negotiations, I closed the deal and sold Tina to a collector in Greece!
On Friday the 13th (my 50th birthday), I drove her into a 20 foot container and watched as the workers used their air nail guns, 2x4s and tie down straps to secure her for her trip across the ocean. She's going by truck to the train, by train to the coast, and then to Rotterdam, Holland in a big boat at which point the buyer will be picking her up and driving her to Greece. Apparently Greece has high import duties if you bring cars in via a boat but not if you drive them in.
So the long strange trip (12 years) ends with another long trip across the ocean. For me, I enjoyed Tina but I've got other projectsto work on and other cars to drive. I will miss the car at times I'm sure. I hope the new owner appreciates the work I did. I hope he and a whole new audience in Greece gets to enjoy her as well.
