26R 26-S2-4 Restoration

[vstibbard]

Graeme
I’m able to fit Cr65M550 on rear of my s2, I’ve only run 525 on the front.
The 550’s limit rear camber but still got into TYR recommended set up.
I’ve included pictures of my car when first assembled here in Australia before it was raced

Cheers
V

[nmauduit]

I’m able to fit Cr65M550 on rear of my s2, I’ve only run 525 on the front.
The 550’s limit rear camber but still got into TYR recommended set up.

quite interesting, thank you : how is the over/understeering balance manageable in your experience with this front/rear tire width difference ?

[ROADRUNNER]

Here is the car as it was when I purchased it

Nice to see a couple of vintage Vespas in the background too !

[Frogelan]

There are some interesting photos, thanks to everyone!

One question I have is what was the production date given for S2 R4?

It has the Vauxhall rear lights so does it follow that it was built after chassis 4100 or thereabouts?

Andrew

[26-S2-4]

I have a copy of the original Markl (Austrian lotus importer) records, I'll post a copy, I'm now away on a business trip.

[26-S2-4]

As reported on the original Markl record, my car has arrived on the 12th of April 1965.

On the first column the progressive number, on the second one customer name and the date, on the third one the chassis number, on the fourth one the color, on the fifth one the engine number and then the year.

[Frogelan]

Thank you Andrea. It is probable that it was built in the 1st quarter of 1965 then.
This is useful as it situates the car as a S1 1/2 but I'll need Tim's help to understand more about the chassis production between 3900 and 4100+.

I realise that your car has been "restored", but does it have the battery boxes on either or both sides?

I'm curious to know whether original 26R's has these: I hope you do not mind these anorak questions!
[Possible reason for them not existing: the rear ARB may foul the box]

Andrew

[26-S2-4]

No worries...!

Yes, my body has got two battery boxes, having started to strip it down I attach a photo!

[vstibbard]

Early Elans had battery boxes moulded both sides. My early S1 had single battery behind the passenger seat. The car had not been restored when I bought it.
No wiring diagram that I’ve seen indicates dual batteries being fitted.
Cheers
Vaughan

[Frogelan]

Thank you Andrea and Vaughan,

All of these bits of info are very useful to complete the overall picture as whilst the repro shells have many of the features, they are nevertheless missing some.

This information helps me understand that there is enough clearance for the rear ARB and the battery boxes.

[26-S2-4]

Today I continued my stripping down job and I realized how much the front end has been molested.

As you can see there are different layers of fiberglass and different craftwork. The LHD bobbin is barely matching the chassis and the headlights walls are made in...wood...the headlights themself are really badly mounted...luckily only this part is so bad repaired!

[vstibbard]

The rear ARB is no where near the battery boxes, it mounts behind the chassis and the arms face forward between wheels and rear suspension towers. I have a picture of mine that I’ll attach.
Vaughan

[Andy8421]

Today I continued my stripping down job and I realized how much the front end has been molested.

Any competition car that has been actively campaigned will be like the 'Ship of Theseus', bits will have been banged-up, fixed, replaced and so on. It is likely you will uncover more issues as you progress. If anything, they are badges of honour for having an interesting car.

It does illustrate the issues of trying to establish provenance for old competition vehicles. Last week's pranged up car becomes a source of parts for this weeks race, while the bent car gets straightened and some parts get transferred back the week after. Bentley 'Old number one' is an interesting case in point.

I think it is only in the modern era where cars get driven off the grid into a museum that there is any real chance of establishing the true provenance of every component on a competition car.

[661]

Graeme
I’m able to fit Cr65M550 on rear of my s2, I’ve only run 525 on the front.
The 550’s limit rear camber but still got into TYR recommended set up.
I’ve included pictures of my car when first assembled here in Australia before it was raced

A8DB9D69-57F4-4270-B47F-CFDB8C054BC2.jpeg

098CA810-B48C-46AE-9F37-80A8A2DBE7B4.jpeg

C9B96AFE-8DDE-4F17-923D-A816E3049933.jpeg

Cheers
V

That is interesting. They certainly don't fit in my TTR shell, as I bought them in error and indebted to Longstone who agreed to exchange them for 5.25's. Additionally , you wouldn't want to be forced to run too much negative camber on the rear