Is it just me or is the new web site for CN a retrograde step in that its slower, more complicated, more difficult to use and search PLUS I personally cannot get the parts listing page to work at all ??
I get a new window trying to open up with the web address http://62.73.160.224/acatalog/ but it always comes back page not available
Why does that not surprise me, I ordered some parts last March and got an automated reply confirmingâŚnever heard another word about them and no response to emails, O.K. I was never charged on my credit cardâŚbut if they donât want the business âŚso be it
CN blew it for me years ago, claiming they had sent something, when they most definitely had NOT. They jerked me around for about two weeks, and I swore I would never ever use them again. And I havenât.
Streets ahead in my opinion is Susan Miller, I use her for just about everything Lotus. As an example I called her today, as I need a rear brake calliper bleed nipple, not a lot of money I know, but she has sent it with a little invoice to pay her when I order something else, ( as itâs too little money for a credit card) therefore she has not taken any money! Now THATâS what I call service!
Kind regards
Jeff 72 +2
I must say that I have to agree with Jeff. Susan Miller is the place to go for friendly service and advice. I also find Paul matty offers a great no problem too small service. Both streets ahead of others in the field.
CN and I departed company for similar reasons to those mentioned above. Nooneâs perfect of course, but Sueâs very pleasant to deal with so gets my vote.
It seems that many people have the very same impression as me of CN
Back in 1981 I had the pleasure of my first ever visit to CN when a friend of mine bought a converted (to open top) +2 from him for which he part exchanged his Lotus Europa lightweight model which he had restored.
We then bravely (or was it stupidly such a fine line) for St Fergus in Scotland the other side of Aberdeen and Peterhead in the said +2.
We made about 60 miles of the 450 mile journey from CNâs to said location when travelling at a great speed down the slip road onto the A1 my friend announced NO BRAKES narrowly avoiding lorries and other traffic on the A1 we manages to get back onto the hard shoulder and crawl off at the next junction which luckily was about 200 yards. On inspection the suspension movement had chopped the brand new brake pipe installed during the +2 rebuild a phone call to CN had them send a lorry out for recovery and bring the Europa back for us to continue to work !!
Hope you enjoyed this little ditty from amy years ago
My DPOâs PO had receipts in my cars paperwork stating: fit roof - GBP 90
It takes me quite an effort to build back or forward to what it should be. Fibreglass work on cantrail etc. The whole thing was sold new by the same dealer. A pitty, as the parts were brand new and good quality. Front of one cantrail was chopped, as someone forgot to do the little cut outs for the windscreen frame.
I lost confidence in CNâs years ago when they had me over regarding excessive postage cost (using air freight to a BFPO address - ouch ). They always seem to have a âwide boyâ attitude.
Both Sue and PM really know there stuff AND care which still counts a lot for me. And lets not forget the local motor factors who in my experience cannot do enough to help you out
Sorry to hear you guys have had such problems with CN.
For myself I have used them for years and had little cause for complaint. Being just down the road from where I work they are convenient, but I use them a lot for postal services. QED, Paul Matty, Banks Service Station, I have used them all. It would be a sorry state if we only had one supplier of Classic Lotus Spares. Try and get spares for a 40 year old Ford if you can!!!
Don Broughton does a good job and must satisfy lots of customers world wide. If they were that crap they would not be in business long.
I have used CN since 1985 and found them generally good except on two occasions, front caliper pistons with too small a radius on the back edge which chopped up the seals and rear damper castellated nuts which were 10 thou too small which chopped up the damper threads. this pi**ed me off at the time but found them fast and reliable. John.
Hi Alan,
Off topic I know, but the 0-60 psi gauge has the wrong fonts - doesnât match the rest of the gauges !
Silly thing is, the incorrect 0-100 psi gauge has the correct fonts !
Regards,
Peter.
For instance, at least for the speedo and tach, the S1-S3 Elan +0 used a different typeface from the S4 and Sprints.
The gauge on the Holden site, although it claims to be âgenuine Smiths designedâ, has a typeface that appears similar to at least some Lucas instruments.
Thanks David,
Yes, you are correct. There appears to be an âearlyâ typeface and a âlateâ typeface. Now, if only we can have the âearlyâ typeface on the 0-60 psi gaugeâŚ
Regards,
Peter.
The gauge I have in my 71 Elan is similar to the one Holden sell except it says SMITHS just above OIL. I think the style changed between series 3 and 4.
I was looking at gauges as I was thinking of fitting a Voltmeter. Holden sell one that looks about right but I don?t like the battery symbol it has, they do one without but not in black. It seems you will never get exactly what you want.
If you had a nonworking gauge you could swap the internals, maybe that?s not as easy as it sounds. Has anyone tried it?