Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

The February edition of Octane magazine www.octane-magazine.com has a comparison between an Elan Sprint fitted with a Spyder Zetec 175 bhp engine and a Frogeye Sprite fitted with a 180 bhp Rover K-series. Makes very interesting reading!
The Sprite is more of a track day car but the writer says... "the Elan, I could use everyday (sic) or blast to Le Mans...".
This is the first time I have seen a write-up on the Spyder conversion in a+0 Elan but this Sprite was featured in Classic and Sportscar magazine a couple of months back.

Let's hear it from the "keep-em original" brigade.

Cheers,

Pete

p.s. The piece in Retro Cars (or whatever it was called) last month, telling you how to buy a Sprint for ?5k was rubbish, full of mistakes and miss-information. The "totally original" Pistachio Sprint supplied by Matty looked nice but was far from original or "correct".

Keep 'em original say I )

John

Well you did ask!

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

car/hot rod against your kit car/hot rod? So what?

So is changing a generator/dynamo to an alternator ok?

Greg Z
'72 Sprint

Presumably you are still using 1972 tyres, oil and water?

Pete
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Zelazek
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 4:59 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



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

car/hot rod against your kit car/hot rod? So what?

So is changing a generator/dynamo to an alternator ok?

Greg Z
'72 Sprint
















------------------------------------------------------------------------------






***@***.***

It's a bit like Trigger's broom in "Only Fools and Horses" If you
change the head and the handle is it the same broom?

Take cars like the undoubtedly exciting and well engineered Spyder +2,
is it a Lotus anymore?

Reasonable improvements and modifications are fine but the car should
remain basically as designed by Lotus (just an opinion and I can hear
the shouts of outrage already!)

If you want a custom car build one, but don't destroy a Lotus in the
process .........that will really have done it )


John

I tend to agree with you on this one, John.

I fitted a Spyder spaceframe chassis to my old Elan, but would argue that (a) the change would be relatively easily reversible in future, by fitting afolded steel Lotus replacement chassis, and (b) because the suspension geometry and all running gear remained unchanged, therefore the car felt and performed exactly as it would have with the original Lotus chassis.

I would not have been happy to use the Spyder double wishbone rear suspension conversion, or to use a different engine or gearbox.

I am seriously considering building myself a Spyder Zetec Elan as an everyday car - but it will be built from all new components and registered as a new car. It will look like a Lotus, but that's all...

Martin

----- Original Message -----
From: nebogipfel2004
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 7:17 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



It's a bit like Trigger's broom in "Only Fools and Horses" If you
change the head and the handle is it the same broom?

Take cars like the undoubtedly exciting and well engineered Spyder +2,
is it a Lotus anymore?

Reasonable improvements and modifications are fine but the car should
remain basically as designed by Lotus (just an opinion and I can hear
the shouts of outrage already!)

If you want a custom car build one, but don't destroy a Lotus in the
process .........that will really have done it )


John


















------------------------------------------------------------------------------






***@***.***

I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for example) just
aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new stuff.

I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for example) just
aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new stuff.






















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I gave up on hearing those original "Sounds of Silence" when I used to turn
the key with the original dynamo and points. The original "Stuck on the side
of the road" syndrome seems to have disappeared too. What is it again that I
am doing wrong?

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota

John, Martin
I tend to be somewhere in the middle when it comes to modifying Elans as I
use more modern components and take advantage of new technology. If I have
to buy something for the car I try and buy the best component available
regardless of being original or not. But I do try to keep it in the spirit
of an Elan from the 70s.
We need to be careful arguing about modifying cars as the latest modern day
Lotus Sevens do not use the original engines but these are accepted as a
natural progression of car development.
Colin Chapman modified Austins to make the first Lotus which now days would
be a "kit car"
In the 1930s it was common to buy a car and make yourself a new body for it,
or build yourself a "Special".
I do not think we are doing any thing different to what our fathers did.
Cliveyboy

Pretty good Bill, since, IIRC, you have an S2!!!


I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for example) just
aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new stuff.






















***********************************************************************************
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
***********************************************************************************























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Heh heh heh. Was wondering if anyone would catch that!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
1965 S2!

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Sieling [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 2005/01/06 08:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Pretty good Bill, since, IIRC, you have an S2!!!


I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for example) just
aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new stuff.






















****************************************************************************
*******
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a
la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
****************************************************************************
*******
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet,
National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held responsible for ensuring
the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason,
the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of National
Bank Financial and NBCN.
****************************************************************************
*******























**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
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***********************************************************************************
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
***********************************************************************************

What the heck is IIRC?? And what is a blueberry (blackberry?) An updated
Lucas dizzy?

Keep your stick on the ice.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Tebbutt" <***@***.***>

Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 3:33 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Heh heh heh. Was wondering if anyone would catch that!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
1965 S2!

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Sieling [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 2005/01/06 08:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Pretty good Bill, since, IIRC, you have an S2!!!


I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for example) just
aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new stuff.






















****************************************************************************
*******
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a
la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
****************************************************************************
*******
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet,
National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held responsible for ensuring
the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason,
the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of National
Bank Financial and NBCN.
****************************************************************************
*******























**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
**********************************************************************





















***********************************************************************************
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a
la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet,
National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present
e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
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If I Remember Correctly = IIRC
And the blackberry is a rather more advanced PDA.....its kind of a
mobile email/telephone/diary/organiser/palmtop thingy....

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Rathlef [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 07 January 2005 01:28
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



What the heck is IIRC?? And what is a blueberry (blackberry?) An updated

Lucas dizzy?

Keep your stick on the ice.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Tebbutt" <***@***.***>

Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 3:33 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Heh heh heh. Was wondering if anyone would catch that!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
1965 S2!

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Sieling [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 2005/01/06 08:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Pretty good Bill, since, IIRC, you have an S2!!!


I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas
brand, I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for
example) just aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new
stuff.






















************************************************************************
****
*******
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite
quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison
des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison,
toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas
necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
************************************************************************
****
*******
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the
Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held responsible
for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail.
For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily
reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
************************************************************************
****
*******























**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the
system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has
been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.

**********************************************************************





















************************************************************************
***********
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite
quant a
la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des
risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
************************************************************************
***********
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the
Internet,
National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the
present
e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
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***********










CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:



















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

Blackberry = hi tech ball and chain, whereby you are now accessible 24/7 by
your employer.

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Gareth Flanagan [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 2005/01/07 03:54
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



If I Remember Correctly = IIRC
And the blackberry is a rather more advanced PDA.....its kind of a mobile
email/telephone/diary/organiser/palmtop thingy....

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Rathlef [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 07 January 2005 01:28
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



What the heck is IIRC?? And what is a blueberry (blackberry?) An updated

Lucas dizzy?

Keep your stick on the ice.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Tebbutt" <***@***.***>

Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 3:33 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Heh heh heh. Was wondering if anyone would catch that!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
1965 S2!

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Sieling [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 2005/01/06 08:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine



Pretty good Bill, since, IIRC, you have an S2!!!


I've still got the Hethel air in the tyres!!!!!

Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Boyd <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.*** <***@***.***>
Sent: Wed Jan 05 19:39:21 2005
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Elan in Octane magazine




I'm still using the original electrons that came with the car. Lucas brand,
I think. Those replacement electrons (from Dave Bean, for
example) just aren't right; you lose authenticity if you put in the new
stuff.






















************************************************************************
****
*******
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a
la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
************************************************************************
****
*******
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet,
National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held responsible for ensuring
the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason,
the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of National
Bank Financial and NBCN.
************************************************************************
****
*******























**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
**********************************************************************





















************************************************************************
***********
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a

la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques
d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion
exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de
Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
************************************************************************
***********
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet,

National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present
e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily
reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
************************************************************************
***********










CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:



















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:






























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Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the present e-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
***********************************************************************************