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The laughing Lotus louts
Last updated at 16:36pm on 06.09.07
Target: the men are seen stamping on the roof of the £30,000 soft top Lotus Elise until the fabric gives way
This is the moment two louts filmed themselves vandalising a £30,000 sports car parked in a London street.
The pair leaped on top of the Lotus Elise then posted the film of their actions on social networking website MySpace.
To a soundtrack of giggles, they are seen repeatedly stamping on the fabric roof of the pale green car until it caves in.
As the vehicle rocks on its suspension, the men stagger away, guffawing, before renewing their attack.
They are seen running back to the car before leaping into the air and divebombing through the roof space - all while being filmed on a friend's mobile phone video camera.
Finally, the two vandals - dressed casually in jeans and shirts - saunter off from the scene, believed to be in Marylebone.
The film of their antics appeared on Myspace last month, sparking a nationwide hunt for the perpetrators on other websites including Pistonheads, YouTube and an unofficial Army website-Lotus drivers were so outraged they launched their own investigation into the identities of the vandals.
Some claim they know who the men are and have posted names, photographs, home addresses and even mobile phone numbers on a string of websites.
One blogger suggested the whole thing may have been a stunt - a "viral advertisement"-possibly placed by an insurance-company, but motor industry sources said this was unlikely.
Another claimed the police had already tracked down the louts. But today a Metropolitan police spokesman said they had not received any reports of damage to a Lotus and could find no record of the alleged vandals' names. He appealed for anyone with information to contact detectives.
The cost of a new soft-top roof for a Lotus Elise is £820.
Alastair Florance of Lotus said: "The response by other Lotus owners goes to demonstrate their passion for the marque. They are very loyal and stick together."
Reader views (6)
Nick Jones. I have one of these cars and I can assure you I'm not rich or stupid. I've just managed to work hard and save enough money for a second hand one. They are superb cars. And green too.
- Greggie, Dorking
So Nick Jones, did you know that my Lotus Elise cost £8,000. The fact that this is cheaper than most family cars on the road, does that make me rich or stupid?
- Michael, , Surrey
Nick Jones, I can assume you are just as guilty of the sort of ill-informed jealously that drove this kind of attack. You can pick up the same type of car for less than the price of a family hatchback these days.
But why let facts ruin the foundations of your soapbox, perhaps you condone such actions?
- Kevin, London
Wow, nice attitude there Mr Nick Jones. No wonder such vandalism is rife if plebs like you with chips on your shoulders give the vandals tacit approval.
I'd be interested to know what the cut-off point is where having one's property destroyed ceases to attract sympathy and instead attracts contempt. My wife's car (a Ford Focus) was vandalised the other night - the rear windscreen was smashed, costing us over £200 to fix for no good reason. Are you sympathetic towards her, or is she just rich and stupid for having a car in the first place?
- Chris Wood, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Well, if you are rich and stupid enough to have such a ridiculous car in the first place...
- Nick Jones, London
Catch them, flog them, and post that on the internet. Bet they won't be laughing then!
- Philip, London, England
