This set of instructions was found in the glove box of a 1973 Lotus Europa, written by its owner, to be used as guidelines for the care and feeding of the car while in the hands of a novice Lotus pilot.

1. Try to run it once every two ot three weeks. A 30 minute run should be sufficient. If car cannot be run, roll car so that tires don't "flat spot".
   
   
2. To start Lotus, simply pump accelerator a few times to get some gas in the carb, then turn key. If the outside tempurature is less than 50 degrees, use the choke. It is the black knob immediately to the driver's right on the center console to the rear of the gear shift. With the knob in, the choke is off; when knob is out, the choke is on. Once the engine has reached normal temperature, the choke can be put off.
   
   
3. If the starter does not work (i.e., the engine does not turn over), try two things:
   
   •   The relay may be bad (it does this frequently). Keep trying the starter be turning the key and holding it for about a second, then releasing it, and try again. Do this up to ten times, if the starter does not turn over the engine go to next step.
   
   •   The battery may be dead. If so, jump start the battery using the jumper cables in the trunk of the Lotus. Be sure it is hooked up correctly.
   
   
4. Getting the Lotus into reverse can sometimes be a problem. If so, put the gearshift into neutral, then bring gearshift all the way over to the left (forcefully) and then back.
   
   
5. Don't "speed shift" into second gear. The synchronizer for that gear is warn. Shift into the gear at low RPM, and gently! Double clutching is the best technique.
   
   
6. If something serious happens and the car breaks down on the road, have it towed to "Concours Cars of Colorado" in Old Colorado City, and arrange with them whatever repairs are required.

ADMIT IT! AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU OWN A LOTUS? IF YOU WANTED RELIABILITY, BUY A DAMN TOYOTA LIKE ALL THE OTHER TOADS IN THE WORLD!

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