The restoration of 45/7286

Post by: **rcombs** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:40 pm

Thought I would start this to document the restoration of my elan. I will post pictures and ask questions as I go. Thanks in advance for your interest and input.

It started with an ad on this website:

I'm posting this for a friend who has to move to a smaller home and needs some cash.

1967 Elan S3 S/E DHC. Weber head. Original owner. Stored since 1986. Never damaged. One repaint a long time ago. Car is complete but needs everything gone through. Body is straight but has lots of stress cracks. Extra set of wheels. Paperwork includes manual and original bill of sale. Located in a NW suburb of Chicago. $19,000 OBO.

Contact Bill Kluczynki, telephone 630-464-0885, E-mail [email protected]" target="_blank
No flippers please! Make a good offer or we will put this on ebay.
Thanks!

After a few phone calls between Bill and myself we agreed on a price. My wife and I drove from the northside of Indy to Bill's house on Labor Day weekend and picked the car up in the pouring rain. A good friend that lives in the area wnt with us and helped me get it on the trailer. He and I were like two drowned rats. Bill and his wife were great, but I know Bill hated to see the car go.

Post by: **StressCraxx** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 5:22 am

Congrats Rick,

Your Elan is just 7 digits later than mine. Does yours have the rocker switches on the dash and small chrome interior door latches?

Elan45 (Roger) is very close in serial numbers as well.

Regards,
Dan Wise

Post by: **rcombs** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:34 pm

Dan,

This one has toggle switches and has the long vertical handles.

Rick

Post by: **LotusArchives** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:38 pm

The Super Safety (rocker switches on the dash etc.) was introduced from unit number 7400.

Post by: **trw99** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:08 pm

You are about to get informed by a number of listers that their Elans have SS features on VINs before 7400 Andy!

I know of 7282 and 7279 for starters!

Tim

Post by: **gjz30075** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:33 am

Email me if you want another pic of the car from '73, on the slalom course.

Greg Z
gjz30075 -at-bellsouth dot net

Post by: **rcombs** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:52 pm

Safe in it's new home.

Post by: **rcombs** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:42 pm

Thought I would show some of my progress so far. I spent November stripping items to pull the body so I could get a good look at what was lurking under the fiberglas. I got the body off the weekend of November the 9th.

Everyone needs a car body hanging from the garage ceiling!

And what was underneath.

Post by: **rcombs** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 4:07 pm

I spent the following two weeks striping and cleaning the frame. I also built a table on rollers so I could check to see how flat and square the frame was. It looks like it is still true, although I can see where Bill's autocrossing took its toll. Also, the front towers filled with crud, and the body held some moisture against the frame on the left side. I didn't show up with my camera, but the serial number is stamped on the upper right rail next to the engine.
Also, as the pictures show, the paint used is redder than the red oxide that you see here in the U.S.

on the table

left front tower

left side by the tranny

the upper parts of the frame are perfect

right front tower

you cant see them, but there are cracks in front of the cross-member on both sides

a frame to locate the angle of the front towers. I will weld cross braces in place when the real work starts.

Sand blasting is next for the frame and I will see what I get back.

Post by: **Galwaylotus** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 4:59 pm

Congratulations! Lots of fun ahead both during the refurb and again when it's all finished!!

Post by: **rcombs** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:19 pm

Oh yes, big fun..lol. The driving part will be nice.

Post by: **rcombs** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:27 pm

I started working on the front suspension. I cleaned first to look for any traces of paint finishes that were used by the factory. Following is what I have found so far:

Upper and lower control arms - gloss black
Brake rotor shields - satin black
Ball joints - natural ?
Lower trunnion - satin black
Front upright casting - satin black with paint mark for side, red for left, green for right
Front steering arm - satin black with paint mark for side, red or green
Front hub - satin black with paint mark for side, red or green
Front brake disk hub - ?
Bolts & washers - Zinc
Brake caliper - natural ?

steering arm

upright

hub

If anyone has any info they can add please post.

Post by: **gjz30075** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:21 pm

The best thing I found to keep natural finishes from rusting is Boeshield T-9. Super stuff in an aerosol can, made for the Boeing Corp. I forgot where I got mine but I found on the can: "Made in the USA for PMS Products, Holland,, Mi. 1-800-962-1732

Greg Z

Post by: **rcombs** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:48 pm

I have heard good things about that product. I bought some Gibbs and am going to try it. If I am not satisfied Boeshield will be my next try.
Thanks Greg,

Rick

Post by: **collins_dan** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:51 pm

I'm no mechanical engineer, but I would have thought those front uprights were beyond repair. It always assumed given the thin gauge of metal used to construct these frames that they were at their limits when new. It would just seem that relying on welded seams in critical areas like the uprights would be asking too much. If it can be done safely, then I would love to hear it, as I may be at that crossroads one day given the expense of getting a new frame in the US. Good luck with the project, it looks like a good one. Dan

The restoration of 45/7286

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