New to the group. I have a couple questions.

[hurdisct]

I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors. BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris

[leojenbo]

Chris,
I have just bought a new head lining for my Sprint FHC from S J Sportscars
http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/home.asp

Price is 68? + VAT



"Chris Lawson" <***@***.***>
31-12-2004 09:16
Please respond to
lotuselan


To
<***@***.***>
cc

Subject
[LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.






I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors.
BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there
are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I
live in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking
up Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's
meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any
advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris

[archigator]

Chris,
I replaced my headliner years ago. You need to take out your front
and rear glass to do it. See previous postings to see how difficult
it is to get the glass back in... especially the front.

An interesting aside... when I purchased my Elan 17 years ago, it had
been repainted in a non-original color. There was no color code on
the plate, and inquiries to Lotus could not reveal its original
color. Subsequently, upon removing the headliner, I noticed that
someone (presumably at the factory) had scrawled the word "RED" on
the underside of the roof. Maybe you'll find a similar "treasure?"

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint


--- In ***@***.***, "Chris Lawson" <lawson74@c...>
wrote:

Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the
help!

Chris

[elansprint71]

Chris,
As far as I know, BRG was never an option on Sprints.

Cheers,
Pete. '72 Sprint
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 8:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors. BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live inMinnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up Lotus'original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris

[twincamracing]

not likely unless you can find a really old fart at a paint store
that's been around for 30 or 40 years and still have old books

easiest might be to flip through old color charts and pick out the
shades you like. you could also check out colors at a meet and inquire
of the car owner. alternatively, you could go into a showroom and ask
the folks to look at the color plates. this is what i did to find a
blue i was seeking and not able to find it in the paint store chip
charts.

good luck.
scott



__________________________________

The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do?
http://my.yahoo.com

[hurdisct]

Thanks Pete. I must have been mistaken. I think I will still paint the car in these colors. Here is a link to a painting showing four sprint colorsand BRG being one of them. But the artist must have been mistaken. http://davekyte.home.att.net/elanprint.html
----- Original Message -----
From: elansprint71
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


Chris,
As far as I know, BRG was never an option on Sprints.

Cheers,
Pete. '72 Sprint
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 8:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors. BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris

[elansprint71]

Chris,
According to Sir Stirling Moss there is no such colour as BRG- any green will do for the national colour!
Have you seen the green that Team Lotus used before the cars became mobile advertising hoardings? It is lighter than most conventional BRG's and wouldlook good on your Elan. I think that Tony Thompson's racing cars are painted this colour, why not check out www.tonythompsonracing.co.uk ? I'm sure they could tell you the paint code.

Cheers,
Pete
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


Thanks Pete. I must have been mistaken. I think I will still paint the car in these colors. Here is a link to a painting showing four sprint colors and BRG being one of them. But the artist must have been mistaken. http://davekyte.home.att.net/elanprint.html
----- Original Message -----
From: elansprint71
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


Chris,
As far as I know, BRG was never an option on Sprints.

Cheers,
Pete. '72 Sprint
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 8:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors. BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's meaninganything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris

[Esprit2]

From: "Chris Lawson" <***@***.***>

Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 2:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


Hi Chris,

I see you just joined this list... good to have you here. If you aren't
already subscribed there, also check out LotusElan.net as well

LotusElan.net
http://www.lotuselan.net/
Paint Colours
http://www.lotuselan.net/publish/lotus_paint.shtml
British Racing Green
http://www.lotuselan.net/publish/lpc_br ... reen.shtml

Introduced: October 1967
Discontinued: October 1970
Lotus Parts#: 36B6315V
Cross Reference
Pinchin Johnson: 6170Y2790
Triumph Conifer Green
Triumph Racing Green
BMC Spruce Green - GN13


BRG wasn't just one shade of green, and it seems that every British
manufacturer had their own version of BRG. Jag's green was very different
from Aston Martins... or Lotus'.

If all you have is Lotus' paint cold L01 or L43 (both called British
Racing Green), it's unlikely that will mean anything to a local paint
supplier. Check with LCU to see if they can provide a colorant formula for
that color. Given the formula, any paint shop should be able to reproduce
it.

Just to add confusion... Lotus color codes:
A09 Martini Green
A11 Martini Green
A42 British Racing Green
A63 New British Racing Green
A65 New British Racing Green
A71 Marque Lotus Green
B04 New British Racing Green
B21 Lotus Racing Green
B29 Racing Green
B37 New British Racing Green
B75 Motor Sports Green
B86 British Racing Green
L01 British Racing Green
L43 British Racing Green

The "L" colors would be period-correct to your Elan.

Or, if you have a sample of a painted panel, take it in and have them
color scan it. The problem with that is that the scanner will read the
current color including decades of sun-fade.

Peter Griffin has painted his Elan restoration project BRG. He did a lot
of research on various BRG's before selecting the color he used (BRM green
with BRM orange bumpers) and he may be able to give you a hand. Peter is a
former LOON living in South Minneapolis... your father may remember him.
I can put you in touch with Peter if you wish.

If you're not dedicated to reproducing the period-correct shade of Lotus
BRG, check out Jag's current offering. The recent Jag F1 team color was
formulated to play well on television, and it's a very pretty color (IMHO).
It's also a current production color option on Jag cars. You could get the
paint at the local Jag dealership... which just happens to be our local
Lotus dealership as well.


I'm not sure what to tell you about reproducing the original headliner.
Have you checked with JAE and Dave Bean? Also try contacting:

Mick Miller (now SUE I suppose),
Carlton Cross,
Kelsale,
Saxmundham
UK
01728 603307 phone
***@***.*** Miller's email address

Log onto the ***@***.***ite. Go to the Files section and
scroll down until you find "MickMiller.pdf"... a copy of the Mick Miller
catalogue.

If you are open to non-original alternatives, the fuzzy fabric type of
headliner material used in newer Elite/Eclat/Esprits is available. It's
"mouse fur" laminated to a foam backing and available in several
thicknesses. It's available at local fabric supply houses that carry
automotive upholstery materials. I've got a locally sourced sample here
that closely matches the headlining in my Eclat.

Locally, try contacting:

Rochford Supply Inc.
1500 Washington AvN
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 588-9000
John Callahan (? old contact name)

or

Fabric Supply Inc.
3434 North Second Street
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 588-0715

In Fabric Supply's catalog they say they make headliners to order in 10
days. Name the make, model and color and they will make it. I'll bet
they won't have a clue what a Lotus Elan is though.

Are you still planning to have the Elan ready to go by Spring? See you at
the next party?

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[nebogipfel]

--- In ***@***.***, "Chris Lawson" <lawson74@c...> wrote:

there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently
used. I live in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool
for looking up Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and
supplier spec No's meaning anything to these people when I order the
paint?


Chris, In the UK both Spies Hecker and PPG list the Lotus "L" paint
codes. I am certainly able to get L07 Yellow from my local supplier in
either paint system. Not sure about your side of the pond?

As has been said there have been lots of variations of BRG from
various car manufacturers over the years and they do differ quite a
bit. I don't think a Sprint was ever supplied in BRG so if you are not
worried about total originality why not just choose a green you like?

John

[type36lotus]

When I was choosing my color there was a "Team Racing Green" listed
in the paint color books in the Lotus category.

Mike Geiger
66 S3 Elan... BRG, but really, really looks Kelly or Forest Green to
me!

--- In ***@***.***, "elansprint71" <elansprint71@b...>
wrote:


conventional BRG's and would look good on your Elan. I think that
Tony Thompson's racing cars are painted this colour, why not check
out www.tonythompsonracing.co.uk ? I'm sure they could tell you the
paint code.

[marcfuller]

Hi Chris,

Jim Boone did a very nice job documenting his headliner replacement on his
website. Here are a couple of links to the pertinent pages-

http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/ela ... /headliner

and

http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/ela ... /index.php
(scroll down to March 16th)


If you haven't, you might list your Elan in the registry-

http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/ela ... w_cars.php


Hope it helps.

Regards,

-Marc



At 01:16 AM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

[Fred Talmadge]

Chris,

If you haven't had enough variation of BRG then I would suggest you look up
a pic of one of Ken Miles old MG specials. They were painted the darkest
color green ever, almost black. I personally would paint my S2 that color
if I was up to it. Also one of the first Elans I drove was a dark green.

Fred

[mikecauser]

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 11:24:50 -0600 "Chris Lawson" <***@***.***> wrote:


Err yes. Mistaken, that's the word.

Mistaken as to the typeface of the Lotus badge, mistaken on the colour
of the Lotus badge, mistaken in size & placement of (US only) side
marker reflectors, mistaken on the badging above the door hinges (as
missing from the supposed detail picture). Mistaken as to the colour of
the wheels.

And mistaken how the Union Flag is laid out. There are countries that
regard such things as an insult. But after over 200 years of
foreigners getting it wrong I suppose we're inured to it....

(And this is just from the small pics on the web page.)


If you want to paint your car green that's fine. But don't do it because
you think this artist knows anything about Lotuses.


Mike
--
Mike Causer Email - mailto:***@***.***
GPG KeyID 1C2DDA07 WWW - http://www.mikecauser.com
Flood the fen again! - Wicken Fen enlargement - http://www.wicken.org.uk

[tvacc]

There was a pistachio green over white Sprint..I know as I have one.(now
painted red) and a fellow Lotus Owner in Manhattan, NYC, has one still the
original color..



I think perhaps the artist just made the wrong shade of green



Tony V



_____

From: Chris Lawson [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 12:25 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.



Thanks Pete. I must have been mistaken. I think I will still paint the car
in these colors. Here is a link to a painting showing four sprint colors
and BRG being one of them. But the artist must have been mistaken.
http://davekyte.home.att.net/elanprint.html
----- Original Message -----
From: elansprint71
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


Chris,
As far as I know, BRG was never an option on Sprints.

Cheers,
Pete. '72 Sprint
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 8:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors.
BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there
are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live
in Minnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up
Lotus' original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's
meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any
advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris











CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

[hurdisct]

Wow! Thank you everyone for the great feedback and help for my restoration.What a great resource this email group provides. The help on the headliner and links are great and it shouldn't be too hard since I already have the front and back windshields out prepping for paint. I'm getting ready to apply the featherfill primer in the next couple days. I'll keep you posted.
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lawson
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 2:16 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] New to the group. I have a couple questions.


I own an Elan FHC that I am interested in painting in sprint colors. BRG/Gold/White. I have the Elan Factory Lotus paint color codes and there are a lot of versions of BRG on the list that lotus apparently used. I live inMinnesota, would a local auto paint shop have a tool for looking up Lotus'original colors? Would the paint codes and supplier spec No's meaning anything to these people when I order the paint?

Also, the head liner on my car is in serious need of replacement. Any advice on how to replace and fix my headliner? I appreciate the help!
Chris