Cars,Life,SG: 2024

Went and attended a reunion. Happens to be on the day I show up, the Toyota Supra MK3 that I did a previous writeup about happened to be nearby.

I had someone from the adjacent block shouting at me. It likely was directed at me seeing I heard something "car", but otherwise don't know what the subject matter was. Above were two people with one with their phone out, I'm not sure what was the occasion.

Returned later to check in case for any potential vandalism because I genuinely didn't know what to expect with that abovementioned encounter, but I found a cat instead.

Nothing happened so it is what it is. I did have to wipe some bird toppings off after returning, didn't get lucky especially as I was parking directly under a tree.

Shopping list wise:

I need to recheck exactly what I need to get, however so far I know fully well that these need to be replaced, under recommendation from my workshop.

This applies for only one side, so I'll have to double the total amount.

Additionally, I likely will need to address engine mounts as well, as it knocks the whole car, especially when I let off the throttle suddenly in lower gears. Do correct me if this is normal, but it is both feeling and sounding like a knock, which is definitely not very good.

Last thing, a GPS-based speed reader. Rewiring of the Elan can and will likely cost a lot in labor and etc, so rather than spending that, I think for now, picking a more aftermarket route via a speed reader will be a better route. My speedometer currently reads 5-10km/h above the actual speed depending on how fast I already am going, which is solved via apps like Waze or Maps, but me needing to peer to the left and check speed often isn't necessarily safe or as convenient if my speedometer was functioning correctly.

~Efini

Well, I'm off by a full month, but nevertheless, I'm glad to have formally attended and to compile my photos together for everyone to view.

Like a few other drivers whom had a bit of fun during the night partaking in 0808, I was incredibly worn out for the night, but I had a thought.

My car's soft-top is red, and the body white. Suppose I could add the last touch for my car to be a literal national flag?

I didn't have a dedicated flag to place on my mirror or anything similar in nature, but what I did have was paper leftover from a previous unrelated project and no rational headspace.

So I did. Cut out the crescent and the stars which took several cutouts, and stick the pieces with double-sided tape.

I did think it was incredibly silly and at its worst, could damage the fabric, but I suppose sometimes to trade for practicality, you get alot more fun?

Now, the origination of my little and pretty unnoticeable piece aside, let's cut to the chase; the actual event!

Here's a preview that I did for an Instagram post (Well, two) about the meet previously.

Phew! Long list of preview.

Having completely conked out the night before and waking up late, I hurried down to the location, getting caught in a storm in the process. One (of many) faults of the Elan is poor weather seals. You could say that by the time Lotus got to the roof, they had run out of budget. Happily though, I didn't catch any heavy leaks bar for a single droplet threatening to intrude the cabin, so I'll count my lucky stars. Upon arriving, a convoy of classic Minis came past:

A personal favorite of the event, this matching AW11 MR2, yellow from top to bottom. Not easily do I find cars with color-matching wheels online or in person, especially one that isn't white on white or black on black. Love it!

Beautiful Recaro's that captured my eye in the blue Toyota iQ.

The day's theme was Lotus, with the manufacturer formally partaking with their new models on full display including their then-newly unveiled Emeya sedan.

I know from my circle of friends and owner groups that these don't have universal praise due to the electrified nature of these cars, from Electre to Emeya. The styling too I know from my circle. Personally, I think the Emeya looks good, and so long as Lotus can keep production of a gasoline or hybridized sports car, I'm all in to still be part of their cult following.

And with the cars, the cats appear too. The Dempsey cat on display with the many Lotus.

With the Lotus theme, its no wonder so many of them would show up.

From Eclat to Elise, from contemporary to classics, so many models appear for an unofficial showcase of Lotus' lineage, past to present.

Not all Lotus present had a spot in the forefront of the event, but I am stoked to be able to see the two Series 1 Elise's that turned up for the meet. I believe both are currently the last two remaining locally, including an Exige. I hope to see it someday, wink 😉

Absolutely stunning.

Something you see more as military runabouts than civilian. Yes, the military ones are of an older generation, but I don't think we've seen any civilian ones often on our roads.

Source: Instagram

I couldn't get a photo of the two in one photo, but here's two currently contemporary high displacement sports cars on display.

The American Chevrolet Corvette C8 or Japanese Lexus LC500, what's your pick?

Sky high in popularity: The BMW E46 M3 CSL was quite a highlight of the event.

A very unique take on a classic, made to look like a classic Hong Kong taxi. Its really unfortunate LTA doesn't allow it, worst being people actually supporting their decision and calling the effort "too much free time" and others. Its sad, really...

An eclectic group of Suzuki Swift Sports. Friend of mine who is keen on owning one in the future was no doubt ecstatic. Really creative designs on the blue ones, whilst these yellow examples no doubt look extremely good as well.

I like my underrated cars, and this is especially one of them. Indifferent to the standard 6 unless you know what you're looking at, this Mazda 6 MPS is to my knowledge, one of maybe two or three left on our roads. According to some threads, Mazda sold around 22 units then, but part of the hearsay was the agent needing to offload some 20 new units to a 2nd hand dealer because they just couldn't shift. Either way, the 6 is still largely forgotten and only very appreciated by those in the know or those who have owned one. This unit on BBS wheels and supporting MPS graphics complimenting the gold spokes was a favorite.

Surprisingly, a Jeep group was also present. Peek the little rubber ducks that I could have sworn was present on each car.

This Honda Integra Type R works so well. Silver paintwork, grey alloys, carbon fiber bonnet. Icing on the cake.

I do like a Subaru Exiga, more so after seeing one in Japan that seemed to be a Tuned by STi variant. Rare stuff there, while these normal ones are just as uncommon here.

A Honda EG9 on newer generation EK4 SiR wheels is a style I never knew I wanted.

A bagged Toyota AE86 and a BMW 850i? Absolutely.

A REAL 330Ci. A departure from the more common 318Ci's and 325Ci cabriolets, I'm really surprised that one has stood the test of time.

A small departure from the Mitsubishi I. I don't know whether this were officially sold here, but a friend had inquired with the owner and apparently she had self-imported it. I never knew these were here, or remembered that they existed, but I'm happy to.

I've come to appreciate red soft-tops.

Suppose these are the hot supercars of the time.

Overall, fun turnout! This session was also the first for me to speak with owners and other people alike, much more different than previously whereby the most I'd be speaking with were friends who tagged along. Thanks to the folks whom made the session all the more enjoyable.