Creating GTS style car from a S2 - the restoration begins

[dunclentdr]

I am excited having bought a nice matching numbers S2 - the attached picture shows how it is now and the white finished car is my goal!!

I'll post the story of the restoration as we go along over the next couple of years. The end point I am after is a car that is great for trackdays and hill climbs, nothing more serious than that. I am not after a perfect '26R' clone, I will make the body work adjustments for the 26R look but upgrades will be more in the style of something that can be faster and safer than standard rather than spending a fortune getting it in full race trim.

My initial goal during 2016 is to get the chassis, suspension, braking etc built up to rolling stage.

I would welcome advice on this first phase!!

Starting point will be a TTR 26R style chassis. Would welcome thoughts on where and where not to use standard items and which upgrades on the suspension, braking and running gear provide the most advantage and best value.

Please go ahead and help me design the spec of the the white GTS..!

Thanks in advance.

David

[ken ob]

I can't really help with advice on the spec for your car but i have always thought the look you are aiming for is fantastic. Good look with the build.

Ken

[rgh0]

The starting point for the rolling chassis build is really what sort of horsepower and what sort of spring rates and tyres are you planning to use as this sets how much strengthening of components will be needed.

cheers
Rohan

[dunclentdr]

Thanks Rohan - should have thought to start from there...

I have a nice 711 block and QED Q360 head, with oversize seats and guides, which will go nicely in the car, I guess with a decent exhaust, the right carbs and set up this may give 135-140bhp - if I add a bit of lightness by having a stripped interior etc then I reckon that should be enough for a fun track and road car.

What thoughts on spec for suspension and braking given that it needs to be in keeping with the race style as well as the bhp?

Thanks

David

[elj221c]

I am excited having bought a nice matching numbers S2 - the attached picture shows how it is now and the white finished car is my goal!!

'rather than spending a fortune getting it in full race trim.'


David

There's some that would say that a matching numbers car should be kept standard.......

Either way, with reference to my take on your quote, you will need deep pockets!

Best of luck with your endeavours.

[Davidb]

I am in the process of doing the same thing-however, after giving myself a very tight schedule to get the car finished before an event (Spring Thaw Rally here in British Columbia) I realised two weeks ago I wasn't going to make it so a friend has loaned my his Saab 96 V4-which is surprisingly good fun to drive! Not as much fun as doing it in my own "26R" style car though...

How much it costs I think it will depend on how much you can do yourself and how good you are at hunting for deals. The quicker you want it done the more it will cost. I didn't realise just how nackered my car was until I took it apart-then it was a matter of replacing every bush and bearing. My chassis was very clean and rust free but I did the so-called 26R mods because the chassis looks unfinished to me without them. I was able to do that with the help of a friend. I am able to do all the mechanical work-I don't do body work-so I save money there.

Good luck with the project, they look great when done right.

[dunclentdr]

I have some important reasons for going the GTS route (1) I think they look cool! (2) there is a perfect S1 tucked away in the garage already and (3) most of parts on this S2 need renewing so I figure it may be as easy to go 'fast and lightweight' rather than track down every last piece that is missing.

David, if you have any photos and tips to share as the project develops that would be great and thanks for the encouragement.

David

[661]

David,
I'm one of many on here doing the same.
I have less of an original car to feel I'm disfiguring. So far I've been trolling the usual sites for the difficult to get bits.
I have a TTR chassis. All the main mechanical bits are obtainable at a price. Personally, I'm going the full hog. Do it once , do it expensively!

[dunclentdr]

When I say it is a matching numbers car it is only that the body number and VIN align - the block has the right number but may or may not be salvageable - most of the rest of the original parts missing and the chassis is beyond repair.

[rgh0]

That is about as matching numbers as they come - all you need is an old 120E block with casting numbers ground off, original Ford engine number needle gunned over and Lotus number inserted and new Lotus chassis stamped appropriately and you have the perfect and normal matching numbers car Maybe you need to add some rust and cracks to the chassis to maximise the value.

cheers
Rohan

[Spyder fan]

That is about as matching numbers as they come - all you need is an old 120E block with casting numbers ground off, original Ford engine number needle gunned over and Lotus number inserted and new Lotus chassis stamped appropriately and you have the perfect and normal matching numbers car Maybe you need to add some rust and cracks to the chassis to maximise the value.

cheers
Rohan

Rohan,
You cynic

[Spyder fan]

David,
You are describing a very nice project and one that many people would like to do. From the replies you have it seems that a few people on here are already going down this route, so it should be okay when you are stuck for ideas or need some help.

There is more than one chassis option and I don't mean the Spyder space frame type versus the Gatrac (Lotus) chassis. Tony Thompson will sell you a 26R style chassis, but Spyder will make you a folded metal chassis with bespoke bits to your specification.

From my not very experienced viewpoint it seems the major expensive items will be those you need to create "the look", such as Panasport wheels and 26R style spinners, the bodywork will probably cost not a lot more than simply repainting the car and of course you have the option to "add lightness" by losing a few items that are not easy to obtain to get that race car look.

No doubt costs will run away with you if you let them, but as already stated by DavidB, it depends how much of a hurry you are in and how much you can do yourself.

Good luck, I will follow the topic.

[Certified Lotus]

David, I was on a similar track. Building a 26R type car but only the chassis, drive train and suspension were signicantly upgraded. I left the original look of my S1 stock as I wanted a period looking car with signicantly more performance. It was an easy decision as the original engine was long gone and the original chassis had been welded to repair a number of cracks. Also had an open wallet to do the upgraded modifications. Good luck on your project and keep us up to date on your progress.

'64 Elan S1 with 26R chassis & 150HP twin cam

[gino1]

Hi David...of you look at my last resto it is somthing similar...just to put you in the picture. ..if you do this yourself and you have a job it will take 2 years and quite a bit of money...
Gino
Milano
Italy

[dunclentdr]

Alan, Glen, Gino - thanks for the encouragement.

Glen - looks like a great car, I have an S1 too, all very standard, like the idea of the 'hidden' improvements.

Gino - wow, thanks - I think that is the route for me - all the metal bits I'll bolt together myself, body and electrics to a specialist I think, fantastic looking car and think mine may have been a similar colour at some point.

David