Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

This group has been helpful in the past with my Elan problems - maybe
it can help in a different area.

Sharing my garage with the Elan is a 1978 Fiat X1/9 1300. I am told
that the rear shocks (struts?) are no longer available. I find this
hard to believe considering it's 10 years newer than the Lotus and the
probably made 15 times as many of them.

Do any of you folks know if these are available outside the US - maybe
in Europe somewhere? I'd appreciate it if someone can point me to a
source anywhere.

Thanks.

Steve B.
1969 Lotus Elan S4
1978 Fiat X1/9
1996 VW GTI VR6
1992 Honda Nighthawk 750

Steve,

I can't answer your question, but I thought you might find this interesting
at least.

I sold Fiats for 28 months from 2/76 through 6/78. My demonstrator
("Shooter") was an X1/9. I had a total of 10 of them during my tenure. While dealing
with a customer who was more mechanically inclined than most, I was asked to
show him the underside of a car. As there was one on a lift in the garage
area, I remember taking him down there for his inspection. While standing under
the front of the car, the customer commented "McPherson struts" and when we got
to the back, he said "Chapman struts".

So maybe you should contact Lotus for your Fiat parts!

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota

The Koni Passenger Car Applications catalog has nothing available for the X1/9 fronts, but has 87-2171 available as a special order for the rears.

HTH

Stan

I sold Fiats for 28 months from 2/76 through 6/78. My demonstrator
("Shooter") was an X1/9. I had a total of 10 of them during my tenure. While dealing
with a customer who was more mechanically inclined than most, I was asked to
show him the underside of a car. As there was one on a lift in the garage
area, I remember taking him down there for his inspection. While standing under
the front of the car, the customer commented "McPherson struts" and when we got
to the back, he said "Chapman struts".

So maybe you should contact Lotus for your Fiat parts!

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota

There was a buyer's guide in one of the classic car magazines (Classic & Sportscar?) here in the UK recently, and I seem to recall that they mentionedthat rear struts were becoming difficult to obtain.

Have you tried the suppliers listed on the X1/9 owners club website:
http://www.x1-9ownersclub.org.uk/index.php?page=links

LEDA are listing rear struts...

Martin


----- Original Message -----
From: Steve B
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 3:45 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Need some help, please



This group has been helpful in the past with my Elan problems - maybe
it can help in a different area.

Sharing my garage with the Elan is a 1978 Fiat X1/9 1300. I am told
that the rear shocks (struts?) are no longer available. I find this
hard to believe considering it's 10 years newer than the Lotus and the
probably made 15 times as many of them.

Do any of you folks know if these are available outside the US - maybe
in Europe somewhere? I'd appreciate it if someone can point me to a
source anywhere.

Thanks.

Steve B.
1969 Lotus Elan S4
1978 Fiat X1/9
1996 VW GTI VR6
1992 Honda Nighthawk 750
















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***@***.***

Have you tried locating someone who can refurbish them?

On 12-Apr-05, at AM 01:38, Martin Stuart wrote:

Gidday Steve,
Check with maufacturers agents, Koni, Bilstien etc.Very few manufactures made all there parts in house, they come from outside suppliers.
See ya, Les




----- Original Message -----
From: Steve B
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 12:45 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Need some help, please



This group has been helpful in the past with my Elan problems - maybe
it can help in a different area.

Sharing my garage with the Elan is a 1978 Fiat X1/9 1300. I am told
that the rear shocks (struts?) are no longer available. I find this
hard to believe considering it's 10 years newer than the Lotus and the
probably made 15 times as many of them.

Do any of you folks know if these are available outside the US - maybe
in Europe somewhere? I'd appreciate it if someone can point me to a
source anywhere.

Thanks.

Steve B.
1969 Lotus Elan S4
1978 Fiat X1/9
1996 VW GTI VR6
1992 Honda Nighthawk 750
















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






***@***.***

International Auto lists OEM Struts in stock for $84.50 front $76.20 rear.
Try:
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... 6&pid=2589

Bruce's parts bin and the rest of the Fiat specific supplier probably have
them too.

Rob LaMoreaux
Ann Arbor, MI USA
(734)-971-5583
Cell (734)-604-9280
Email: ***@***.***
Too many Hobbies.... Too Little Time
1969 Lotus Elan....It's not a restoration, it's a never-ending adventure.