The roof of my X1/9 was left on the hard shoulder of the M1 after doing that, you wouldn't believe how quickly I managed to get a replacement - 2 days - I thought I'd be waiting months (this was pre-internet too).
There was the exact model I had (the VS, with silver over gunmetal and read leather) in the garage that did my Lotus brakes back in December, the guy had bought it new and done over 100k miles - he described it as his 'Trigger's Broom' car


Back on topic....

Good write up, I've always liked the Smart coupe and roadster, it's such a good concept but one that only Smart and Lotus seem to have worked out - get more performance by having less weight.

I just think that gearchange would frustrate me too much.

 

my mum has a smart roadster, i have done quite a few miles in it when i've borrowed it from time to time. a good fun car to drive, but invariably gets a bit boring with the lack of power. i'd love to own one for my 2 mile journey back and forward to work though.

 

What engine specs do they have?

 

690cc 80bhp 3cyl

 

Turbo!

 

I really hoped they would return as an AC, but that looks increasingly a pipe dream now...

 

Cool, my fav small engined turbo car would have to be the daihatsu charade GTTi though

 

Phew - lots of posts! I'll deal with you all one at a time...

I agree with Nick re: AC Ace; but I think Gordon Murray has found other priorities.
I think he was doing a small city car.
Legend has it that it only had 1000 parts, cf. the Smart ForTwo's 3000...

 

YES!
If I can find a ring trip... April seems to be monopolised by some 10th Anniversary hooha.

When you going? I might have the KW v2s in by then!

 

They're ok build-wise; just an awfully complicated roof mechanism. And there's an extra breeze blows up my trouser leg through the door seal on hard roundabout cornering!

Brabus isn't just a remap; it's also a strengthened gearbox, new Turbo intake pipe (up to 74PS from 60PS), a few other larger bits to compensate, and then a load of bling (exhaust, leather seats, etc). Hence why they're holding their value about 50% higher than normal roadsters.