Spyder, et al.

[poiuyt]

For that matter, the Elan really has a Ford engine - only the head is
changed. And mine has Jaguar (I think) tail lights, etc.....

Steve B
69 S4


--- In ***@***.***, "d0ntdreamit" <d0ntdreamit@y...> >

[poiuyt]

I agree 100%. When the Elan was designed most sports cars had solid
axles, leaf springs, pushrod engines, drum brakes, and weighed 2000
pounds plus.

I was at a British car weekend at Lime Rock this past June with the
MG Car Club - Long Island Center. We were lined up for some parade
laps when one of the LEO folks came over ans told me tha all of the
other cars in the lineup (MG, Triumph, Morgan, etc.) were "junk"
compared to my S4.

The Elan was way ahead of it's time.

--- In ***@***.***, "nebogipfel2004"
<nebogipfel2004@y...> wrote:

[poiuyt]

Why do you need 170 HP in this car? The original 110 or so is plenty
and results in longer lasting (horrors) Rotoflex joints, axles, and
all of the other parts that seem to fail in my reading this list.

I will go along with the electrical upgrades - anything that makes
the car more reliable is worth while.

My VW GTI VR6 has 172 HP and could be upgraded to well over 200.
However, it is fast enough and still reliable after 185,000 miles.
I've upgraded the suspension, wheels and tires to improve handling,
but had I made the engine upgrades I probably would not be running
the original clutch, CV joints, transmission, etc.

My S4 has the Twin Cam, although re-built, and will be kept as
original as possible in keeping with the goal of it being reliable.
I have installed the Dave Bean water pump modification, electric fan
toward this goal. As with the GTI, it's fast enough!

Steve B
69 Elan S4 DHC
96 GTI-Vr6
78 Fiat X1/9



--- In ***@***.***, "Rohan Hodges" <rghodge@o...> wrote:

[frearther]

<None of these changes detract from the originality of the car unless
you are a big C concours judge or you like lying under the car
admiring your donuts> (italics added)

I do it all the time!!! Oh, you said DOnuts. Sorry.

Art


Arther H. Frederick
Initial Reaction - embroidered and decorated apparel
3869 Route 66, Chatham Centre
Valatie, NY 12184
518-392-4287

[rgh0]

No you dont NEED 170 hp in an Elan, though it is nice to be able to
outrun Golf V6's. I was just trying to make the point that you dont
have to drop in a Zetec to get HP that keeps up with the autmotive
developments over the last 40 years if thats what you want.

Everyone has their own opinion as to whats the right way to build an
improved Elan. Even building an original Elan leads to lots of debate
as the factory had different opinions of original on each car they
built !!

All I say is build it to your own needs be it Concours originality or
road performance or road reliability or racetrack perfomance. But in
doing it you dont need to chop the car about or change its orginal
character because all these needs can be met with the basic original
car and the car can still look and feel like the classic it is.

My wife thinks I am nuts for the amount of time I spend lying under
the Lotus.

Rohan

[poiuyt]

--- In ***@***.***, "Rohan Hodges" <rghodge@o...> wrote:


Pity - my wife changed the last motor mount herself. Between the
ramps and the jack she was the only one of us who could fit under the
car.

Steve B.

[elj221c]

Les,
Best be carefull what you say about 'Bosses'!
Mine much prefers the Twin Cam as a passenger as it always sends her
to sleep. Great for me too as she then doesn't criticise my driving!
She also had no problems mastering no choke cold starts with the
Webbers or rotoflex 'wind-up'. She was just a bit concerned what I
would say if she ever crashed it.
She still reminds me that it was her that positioned the engine crane
to a 'T' at the end of the last rebuild.
And she has let me keep it for 30 years this March!
Roy
'65S2

[lotuselanman]

Gidday Roy,
Like your reply nearly as much as your boss must love you. My 'boss' also know as Jean referred to by me in print by me as SWINO, She who is never obeyed is a gem but for my sake never quote this.
We met in New Zealand many moons ago, after the usual wooing period I decided to put her to the test. Scrutineering on Friday pm, Saturday we went to Motor Racing, Saturday evening it was to the Speedway and to clinch the test on Sunday after Mass , Church, Tabernacle we went to a Hillclmb. Passed the test with flying colours. So when Jean proposed to me I did not hesitate.
Seriously it take two to Tango and the support a wife gives is immeasurable, so after 36 years the support is still there after 30 years of Lotus Cortina ownership and oh there was the Kart racing and the Speedway and some Drags.
A gem surely but please, never reveal this in print.
See ya, Les
----- Original Message -----
From: elj221c
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 1:27 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Spyder, et al.



Les,
Best be carefull what you say about 'Bosses'!
Mine much prefers the Twin Cam as a passenger as it always sends her
to sleep. Great for me too as she then doesn't criticise my driving!
She also had no problems mastering no choke cold starts with the
Webbers or rotoflex 'wind-up'. She was just a bit concerned what I
would say if she ever crashed it.
She still reminds me that it was her that positioned the engine crane
to a 'T' at the end of the last rebuild.
And she has let me keep it for 30 years this March!
Roy
'65S2
















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






***@***.***