Chasing the IRS-Seized Lotus Le Mans Legend

Рет қаралды 420,258

4 жыл бұрын

Casey's Top 5 Car Stories:
This Viper got me kicked out of town - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aN2paZOY2J7PlZ8.html
Building your own Batmobile - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qL6miq5ps9SpYaM.html
A college student IMSA Team - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/itadYMaC2MmYiGg.html
An STD from my race car? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q89-naSes7G3qYU.html
How much can you love a Countach? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pqlpgqZz1tjSn3U.html
Casey Putsch (kzfaq.info) has owned a lot of cars but few spark as many memories as his C4 Corvette. The highs were high and the lows were low.
The Ridge offers wallets and bags that are perfect for packing just what you need. Visit ridge.com/VINwiki and use the code VINwiki for a 10% discount on their line of bags and wallets.
Visit our store - store.vinwiki.com
Download VINwiki and add to the stories of the cars you love.
vinwiki.com/ios
vinwiki.com/android
vinwiki.com/desktop
Be sure to like and subscribe!
#Lotus11 #LeMans #CaseyPutsch

Пікірлер: 396

@EdBolian 4 жыл бұрын

This might be my favorite Casey story so far - the love he had for this car and the risks he took personally and financially to get the project to the finish line are exactly what we love here at VINwiki. Well done sir.

@rinqzywarren7320 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Ed! Love the content! And I’m coming for that Porsche of yours!

@stephenlauret132 4 жыл бұрын

Agree! Partly because of it being a Lotus, but also because it is such an epic project :D

@CaseyPutsch 4 жыл бұрын

Thank Ed! Much appreciated to be back to tell this good old fashioned car story.

@jmoney7289 4 жыл бұрын

Ed Bolian what happened to the Yakuza video Ed!???

@brandonpinke3096 4 жыл бұрын

I a huge fan of both you an Casey. Both of you keep me motivated to keep working on cars. An learning an past knowledge along. Thank you very much to both of you.

@CaseyPutsch 4 жыл бұрын

Morning everyone! Hope you enjoy my early risk, restoration, reward story and get a little inspiration to journey through automotive adventure history!

@joehervey84 4 жыл бұрын

U have any Corollas you can sell ? Ty

@jmoney7289 4 жыл бұрын

Casey Putsch oh it's a great one great learning experience and always great when a cool older gentleman is involved

@brandonpinke3096 4 жыл бұрын

Great job brother.

@BeenThereOverItNow 4 жыл бұрын

Your seller looks every bit the part of an old English professor.. the wild gray hair, the oversized sweater (that I assume his good wyfe made from the sheep/Alpacas, on their own farm?).. Would love to have picked his brain over a long weekend! Not to mention the stories/histories of his automobile collection!

@daltonnabors 4 жыл бұрын

Did the previous owner get to see the car after you finished the restoration? If so I would be interest to hear what his thoughts were.

@brettbilger1390 4 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite parts of this story is the idea that today, millionaires somewhere are bidding on a collectible vintage race car that a young Casey built with no expertise or tools in a pole barn in Ohio.

@luispenadg 4 жыл бұрын

Somehow I feel like doing it with no expertise or tools makes this restoration exactly what it might be back in the day.

@surfside75 4 жыл бұрын

That is just amazing!!

@thesunflowchannel1995 4 жыл бұрын

@Say less Yeah the matter of circumstance seems to play a role in success from our perspective but dude you really think he's where he is at just cuz his parents had money? It's pretty easy to tell this guy is super passionate in what he does and was clearly broke when hand making this car. Dude literally risked everything he had into something that could possibly turn out terrible. He's a ballsy risk taker and obviously spent his 20s working days and nights doing something he loved instead of partying and getting rickitty wrecked every night waking up feeling like a piece of shit yet acting on top of the world. It may seem unfair but when you really look at the contributions karma is exactly where it's supposed to be.

@whatwhatyep 4 жыл бұрын

@Say less At some poit in life you have to take responsibility for yourself. The past does not have to define your present and future. This is the best advice I ever recieved. Once I accepted this true fact my life changed dramatically.

@dphotos007 4 жыл бұрын

The Puppet Of Everything I agree with what you said about the guy.

@aztekcolours5468 4 жыл бұрын

Casey restored a masterpiece with no experience and lots of passion.That old man who sold it to him for less and gave him some motivation to help him start an amazing project bless his heart!

@VINwiki 4 жыл бұрын

We hope you had a great weekend. Casey is cooking up some amazing stuff for Genius Garage in 2020. We can't wait to hear all of the amazing stories that come out of it.

@CaseyPutsch 4 жыл бұрын

Can't wait and thank you VINwiki!

@louiedelatorre1667 4 жыл бұрын

Get that old English teacher on the show! I bet he’s got great stories with those treasures he had in his barn!

@noelht1 3 жыл бұрын

@edbolian track the guy down!!!

@ek_hachiroku99 3 жыл бұрын

@@noelht1 ^^^^ this!!!

@mauser8515 4 жыл бұрын

"thank you for being a friend...." Ah shit it's bed time. Love it.

@MaxSpeedMike 4 жыл бұрын

Man this guy is a legend

@ldodom 4 жыл бұрын

There's someone, out there, who truly needed to hear Casey's testimony today.

@samsonian 4 жыл бұрын

I probably have said this before, Casey; but I LOVE your stories! You do such a great job of not only explaining why any car guy would enjoy the situation, but also putting into perspective where you were in life and the sacrifices you had to make to take on different projects. Yes, other guys do that but somehow you pull me into the tale in a way that I can more readily relate to. What would make me very happy would be to hear that you have decided to write a book or perhaps even just an anthology of your fantastic stories! Cheers!

@CaseyPutsch 4 жыл бұрын

Samsonian check out my channel! Thanks!

@bobm7275 4 жыл бұрын

Casey, I was always unsure of you, that's all in the past, You are not just entertaining, You are a real car guy. I have worked on over a hundred projects in my lifetime, at no point would I have attempted that, let alone finish it. Thanks Casey loved it.

@andrewspence3171 4 жыл бұрын

I just happened on this channel and the Lotus 11 story was great to listen to. I live in the UK and way back when I was 13 I would go up to Hornsey where Lotus had a small place behind a hotel. I would hang around, Colin would kick me out but the mechanics were OK. I got to take parcels to the post office, Hazel was really nice to me. I learnt quite a bit by looking, and once in a while was allowed to help get parts from the stores, they were upstairs on a sort of platform. When I got a job I saved up and got a crashed Lotus 23b, the front was bent round 90 degrees. I gradually accumulated tools and restored it, then raced it. Since then I have bought wrecks of Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Cooper, Brabham, and a Miura which took many hours of puzzling over. Thought you would like to hear this.

@j.yossarian6852 4 жыл бұрын

That's a beautiful Mononoke shirt. Casey's taste remains impeccable.

@carlcomputer9686 4 жыл бұрын

No kidding

@owenstokes3917 4 жыл бұрын

Oh damn I didn’t even notice it was a ghibli shirt until I saw the comment lol

@A.Johnson283 4 жыл бұрын

I watched that movie for the first time last week, this is awesome!

@DustinRodriguez1_0 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, as soon as I saw the video I knew I needed that shirt. You can get it from the Ghibli Store for $20 in the US.

@wes3527 4 жыл бұрын

Casey always has the best stories about cars and builds I could get into. My father and grandfather who were car dealers would probably like some of the others stories better. I am one who likes to see how far a vehicle can be pushed on or off the road without breaking too much and trade way too often starting another project I've detailed and helped fix many cars my dad would buy at auction or trades in's he needed to get as much out of them as possible and couldn't afford to pay someone else to do. Good times

@word67 4 жыл бұрын

Great story. Great to see a young person ( compared to me for sure) who not only "get's" the beauty of older engineering and design -- but who also "get's" the beauty of working with your hands. Thanks for inspiring me.

@karlhurn 4 жыл бұрын

My Lotus is not as rare but it still gives me that special feeling every time I fire it up. Great story 👍

@stevenstewart3414 4 жыл бұрын

I just stumbled into watching this video so I had never heard of Casey, but what a genuinely nice guy! And what a great story. It's heartwarming.

@gnarshread 4 жыл бұрын

You are an absolute gentleman for saving this lotus. And don't forget that the best British cars were built in sheds with rudimentary tools. So it is fitting for it to be restored in the same fashion.

@redram5150 4 жыл бұрын

Casey going on about using meager tools while holding grand aspirations takes me back to when I was a teen, creating panels for my various projects... aircooled VWs, Falcons, 40-50s Fords, 71 Vette. Some of my fondest memories are me at 15 and my dad using two lengths of 1x2” box steel in a vice, bending steel into floors with brute strength.

@unclewilbur8976 4 жыл бұрын

Casey, that was a wonderful story. I admire the passion, determination, ingenuity, and perseverance. And all your fine qualities shine when you told this great story. Very well done sir.

@Andrewlang90 4 жыл бұрын

I can’t wait for Casey’s AMA. This guy has a passion that isn’t matched by many in any field.

@vr6294 4 жыл бұрын

Casey is a legend. I would not be able to do a 1/4 of what he can just off the top of my head

@colinwhite5355 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve just watched this through from start to finish. Just a great story - so refreshingly honest and decent during times when such qualities are becoming so hard to find.

@Jenuin 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! Love this story. You are very right. It’s about the adventure of rebuilding an old car and how you found it plus the man you bought it off. That’s legendary. Just legendary. You would be hard pressed to ever find another with such a story... especially today. Wow. Great story. Awesome car.

@Very_Angry_Citizen 4 жыл бұрын

Casey Putsch on Monday morning. There couldn't be anything better to start off the week.

@ericdejesus6942 4 жыл бұрын

Yep, This is my favorite CP story so far.

@austinthrowsstuff 4 жыл бұрын

Casey has grown to be my favorite on VINwiki. He was awesome the first times but once you put his stories together, he’s got a really interesting life!!! Also I’m not a guy to get inspiration about style much but I love he’s style and he’s got the most fire collection of sweaters

@helmuttdvm 4 жыл бұрын

The stories behind old cars are what make the hobby fun! Thanks for sharing.

@gordonblank6845 2 жыл бұрын

When I bought my last Europa (1997) the seller said to me “ if you don’t buy the car I’ll just keep it in the garage and smile at it when I go by” so true. I miss having a true sports car. This was a wonderful story.

@whatevernevermind5960 4 жыл бұрын

You guys should try to get Clarkson, Hammond or May on the channel.

@VINwiki 4 жыл бұрын

That would be incredible.

@bigjohnfury5662 4 жыл бұрын

Noooo we need Wayne Carini or Lord Hesketh who ran F1 champ James Hunt back in the 70's

@paulcarmi8130 4 жыл бұрын

@@bigjohnfury5662 how do you say no to Clarkson Hammond and May?

@jasont4400 4 жыл бұрын

They do their stories on DriveTribe

@bigjohnfury5662 4 жыл бұрын

@@paulcarmi8130 they just ham it up .. vin wiki needs real people not actors playing up to the camera

@malcolmlane-ley2044 4 жыл бұрын

I love the humility in this story, it's refreshing

@steves.922 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Casey, your best story yet! What a beautiful, sexy car, the Lotus 11. I grew up admiring these in the sports racing of SCCA.

@skuzlebut82 4 жыл бұрын

Casey has some awesome stories. I really enjoy his stories a lot.

@Black_Jesus3005 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome story. Casey is an inspiration. Thank you.

@brettbilger1390 4 жыл бұрын

Not sure it is 250 GTO pretty or D Type pretty but it is a very pretty car Casey. Congrats.

@racereadyhistoricracingbyd6318 4 жыл бұрын

Great history! We'll have one of these Lotus racing in the Algarve Classic Festival, days 01, 02 and 03 of november in the Motor Racing Legends 50s Sports Cars, entering in the Stirling Moss Trophy. We hardly can wait!

@noaimnoskillnokill3947 4 жыл бұрын

Imagine turning in on a VINwiki vid just to see Casey Putsch wearing a beautiful Princess Mononoke shirt. Great taste in anime dude

@ricvis44 4 жыл бұрын

What a Guy! It’s rare to meet a “Car Guy” like this! I took some vocational training on Diesel Engines after high school and my instructor was a Drag Racer. We got along great. He was a big inspiration to me.

@mrfr0st7 4 жыл бұрын

THIS is my favorite Casey Story, narrowly beating out attacking the Juggalos with the Batmobile. :-)

@georgegist9074 4 жыл бұрын

My old science teacher had a series 1 lotus 11, he bought it into school a few times

@BatCaveOz 3 жыл бұрын

*brought

@jleonard7954 4 жыл бұрын

I have been binge watching VINwiki...this car guy's now favorite channel.

@gokeyinspections8552 4 жыл бұрын

thats a very sweet car to have as a younger guy into the vintage racing era very nice story too. Reminds me of when I bought my RS6 swapped A6 4.2L the guy offered to help me work on it and happened to have a lift in his garage etc. really nice British guy, we still are friends to this day!

@RBMD2A 4 жыл бұрын

Casey, an most exceptional story. I’m sure audience will really appreciate it.

@sgtaaronp 4 жыл бұрын

Always love Casey's story's!

@poovaneswaransupramaniam19 4 жыл бұрын

Neat story Casey...and a really good bet as well...kudos to your metal working skills..

@maverick1685 3 жыл бұрын

That was a very cool story, Thanks for sharing it Casey.

@TheTsunamijuan 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome Shirt and awesome story about the passion and love that cars nurture and create in us.

@ggreyshade 4 жыл бұрын

man.. literally the first 5 minutes had me saying wow. what a fantastic story thus far.

@morkovija 4 жыл бұрын

Quality content stamp here. Thanks Casey

@motorlibro 2 жыл бұрын

I had almost the same experience as you describe in this video, my XI was my first restoration (and mine was crashed when I bought it) - it changed my life.

@youngshreddfilthy2930 4 жыл бұрын

Wow these are real cars and the most unique legends of the car world. You made a friend for life and next time he may sell you another car in the future because he knows you a true car guy.

@paulricketts1089 9 ай бұрын

....the LOTUS Eleven has always held a sweet spot in my heart ever since I was a teenager. Talk about "organic" shapes............

@trailerparkpimpn4709 3 жыл бұрын

BAD A$$ STORY!!!! LOVE IT.... Thank the good Lord for dudes like Casey!!

@Hidfors 3 жыл бұрын

This might be one of my favourite stories on VINWiki so far :D I've never before been this into listening to someone talk about their project car... usually it puts me to sleep ;)

@buckodonnghaile4309 3 жыл бұрын

This channel is brilliant. Thank you

@seasgarage 3 жыл бұрын

Its great that the og subs already know whos gonna tell the story just by reading the title! Also, being an ohian makes the casey and doug stories so much better.

@pwrightisright8611 4 жыл бұрын

Ladies, find you a man that talks about you the way Casey talks about this Lotus.

@onway5406 4 жыл бұрын

except for the part where he trades up....:)

@truckerdaveandred6731 4 жыл бұрын

It's really nice that the man was willing to step up as a mentor and get you started on your journey. It's truly a beautiful car. The only other question I would have is what did the gentleman think of the car once it was completed and back on the road? I would like to believe that he was pleased

@CaseyPutsch 4 жыл бұрын

Trucker Dave and Red he was so excited to see it and sit in it!

@truckerdaveandred6731 4 жыл бұрын

@@CaseyPutsch that's so cool. Congratulations!

@andygrew4832 3 жыл бұрын

This is Casey's best story, thank you!

@JeffW77 Жыл бұрын

Great story--great car. Second time I have heard of Lotus Eleven. First time was early '70s article in Road & Track (could have been Car and Driver)--somebody built a Lotus Eleven kit car. I think MG Midget engine (article referred to "Spridget running gear." Car was lovely--2-seater. Great article.

@Gurnavemerno 4 жыл бұрын

Nice to hear from someone that took on a challenging project they were passionate about and succeed.

@jackjohnsen8506 Жыл бұрын

I started watching SCCA racing in 1956 at age 12, in Southern California. A guy named BOB Drake ran one of these and I can still smell the hay bails, and the Castor bean racing Oil of that day..

@jdmlovers3629 4 жыл бұрын

This guy always with the best videos! 🔥

@rushlogue 4 жыл бұрын

This story is kinda the ultimate VinWiki vid. Some shrewd negotiation here, some history and tracking there...

@deckard43 4 жыл бұрын

This is the best one yet love it

@details78 4 жыл бұрын

I love all these guests, but Casey is the favorite. Fun story!

@evalonious 4 жыл бұрын

One of the Top 10 Vin Wiki stories! ...for sure!

@roberthill3207 4 жыл бұрын

Tanks. Thumbs up stay awesome.

@kerryeff407 4 жыл бұрын

Great story Casey cheers!

@phretsCM 4 жыл бұрын

Man casey sounds like he really found a true car enthusiast, truly seemed like one of the nicest guys ever

@drivemyexotic5274 4 жыл бұрын

Great story and great work on that car!

@johnnytenjobs 4 жыл бұрын

Well done that man. My father had one of these. Ended up in Japan. I wish he had kept it. It was the Le Mans version with all the good bits but fibreglass clamshells.

@denmark219 3 жыл бұрын

One of my fav vin wiki stories.

@Partypete-ft1zn 4 жыл бұрын

Great story. That teacher is the man 🤘🏻

@DG-ti4qc 4 жыл бұрын

That was a good one Casey. Respect level jumped up a notch finally! :P

@ChannelPineappleSon 4 жыл бұрын

One of the simplest, best episodes I’ve seen

@Hard_Parked 4 жыл бұрын

Nice Montego Blue RX - 7 creeping on the side of the barn!!

@mistgate 4 жыл бұрын

"I was practically using fingernails and rocks" So just like when it was originally made.

@ChrisTarpleyAsylumOfCerberus 4 жыл бұрын

Inner nerd noticed he's wearing a Princess Mononoke shirt. Sickkkkk. I like Casey even more now. Great movie by Hayao Miyazaki.

@baseplate8428 4 жыл бұрын

Chris Tarpley found same one on AliExpress for 15 dollars

@ryanschaff2507 3 жыл бұрын

That’s not inner nerd, that’s being a sissy.

@ChrisTarpleyAsylumOfCerberus 3 жыл бұрын

@@ryanschaff2507 okay.

@stephenlauret132 4 жыл бұрын

Dope! Love any Lotus and this one is soooooooooooo special!!! :D

@MarcusSchneidervlogs 4 жыл бұрын

awesome story, like that is awesome to build a car and learn a bit of the history

@ericcallender1575 4 жыл бұрын

Great story, Casey is the man.

@jamesford2942 4 жыл бұрын

When I was in my 20's I worked for a guy who had a Lotus 11 that he raced in the historics. I just love the design and shape of that car.

@lokisgodhi 3 жыл бұрын

Back in the 80s Westfield offered a kit for the Lotus 11. There was a review in Road & Track. I really wanted to get one but it would have been a my only car. So totally impractical for Vermont winters. Late fall and early spring too. Would have been fun though.

@tintin6892 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job, and a lucky break. Did you ever come across Mike Brotherwood in the UK during your L11 adventures? He did Chris Rhea's Lotus race cars. Still runs an early-Lotus spares business, I believe...

@keithsclassicgarage1133 4 жыл бұрын

Nice to see young guys pick up the hobby. Otherwise these cars will rot away and be forgotten.

@guitarsword1 4 жыл бұрын

Great story. Tnx

@dubdaze68 4 жыл бұрын

I see that one of your pics, Casey, is you in the staging lane at the PVGP.

@clintgliford9941 4 жыл бұрын

Last time I was this early, Deputy Ross wasn't under investigation.

@robert23497 4 жыл бұрын

Casey is the man!!!!!! The only downside is that he said "that car WAS great"......leading me to think he got rid of it. These are the type of cars you should NEVER get rid of!!!! Anyway, another awesome story from a man who is passionate about cars and....not just money.