New car arriving

[richardcox_lotus]

I'm sure that's the case. Making cars was good for ACBC - making money even better !

It's interesting though, because the Sprint's prototype's colour scheme when it was originally shown @ Brands Hatch on late '70 was also two-tone, but a totally different design. (Can't get my hands on any photos just yet, but I'm sure you've all seen it, with Jochen Rindt @ the wheel)

[Jolly Jumper]

[alexblack13]

Thanks Guys. What a wonderfull thing this internet is eh! The help I am receiving here is outstanding and I am very gratefull to everyone.

The decision is made! I am returning the car to Lagoon blue over white as per the lovely pic' above. What a super looking car I am sure this is how the car left the factory as I can not find any blue anywhere below the gold stripe. I have 'howked' off some of the paint here n there and no blue to be seen,but plenty evidence above the gold line/below the red, so here goes. I have an appointment this am to take the car to a specialist grp painter man ...... I will keep you all posted.

Many thanks also for the info' on the unleaded /additive issue. I will continue adding the stuff at the moment and see how it goes.

Many many thanks ........

[robcall]

Alex,the car would originally be painted lagoon blue all over with the white applied after.
Do you have any history of the car?
The chassis plate may have the paint code of the main colour engraved on it-can be difficult to read sometimes.
A car of this age can be difficult to assess as they may have been subject to several "restorations by now!
I agree-lagoon blue/white is stunning-good Scottish colours

Have a good think what you want here-the two-tone sort of dates the car to the 70's.I went for these colours on my first sprint in 1984 and really had to debate adding the white back on-it looks great in single colour.
In the end originality won me over and didn't regret it.

ps do the hardtop too!

[ppnelan]

I was once told that Sprints were either self-coloured white or painted white first on the lower part, before being painted with the second colour - is this wrong

Matthew

[Jolly Jumper]

I was once told that Sprints were either self-coloured white or painted white first on the lower part, before being painted with the second colour - is this wrong

Matthew

Definitely not self coloured.

[types26/36]

It's interesting though, because the Sprint's prototype's colour scheme when it was originally shown @ Brands Hatch on late '70 was also two-tone, but a totally different design. (Can't get my hands on any photos just yet, but I'm sure you've all seen it, with Jochen Rindt @ the wheel)

Thats an interesting pic, the car appears to be a LHD, also note the wipers park on the left, bulge in bonnet (Stromburgs?) is the interior mirror stuck on or on a rod? also appears to have a trim under the doors.
How many company logo's can you spot? I see Gulf, Lucas,Dunlop and Honda anyone can make out anymore?.....just seen Daily Mail

[Elanintheforest]

These pics were taken in Sep '70, before the big valve engine had been developed...I think. So it probably is on Strombergs. I also understand that quite a few early Sprints, and the converted late S4s of course, had the bumpy bonnet. And the mirror looks stuck on to me!
Mark

[trw99]

Re the Rindt/Sprint photo, this is the background:

The photo shows a Sprint concept car, at least three of which were produced in July or August 1970; these were a LHD fixed head and LHD drop head, as well as a RHD drop head. Who thought of the Sprint name is not known. Publicity shots of the car, the left hand drive DHC, show Jochen Rindt at Brands Hatch posing with it before his death at Monza on 5 September 1970. However, these were S4 cars with the paint job and Sprint on the registration plates; underneath mechanically they were pure S4. The resulting first batch publicity sheet confirms this and includes some blurb attributed to Chapman, concerning the design concept of the paint job. The Sprint was announced at the Earls Court Motor Show on 14th October 1970 and a DHC and a FHC, were on the stand. However, the same publicity sheet, second batch as above had the Big Valve engine specifications added to it.

At least one of these cars survives.

Tim

[Robbie693]

How many company logo's can you spot? I see Gulf, Lucas,Dunlop and Honda anyone can make out anymore?.....just seen Daily Mail

Looks like an Embassy ad there too

[richardcox_lotus]

That's the picture ! Still makes me goes "Ugh!, what were they thinking!" . Having said that, it's still better than the colour scheme displayed on a Jimi Hendrix photo of, I think, Yellow with black headlamp pods.

Grooovy.................not.

[robcall]

Is there any engine fitted in those photos? look at the ride hieght.

[alexblack13]

Update..
Spoke to one of the original owners. He had the colour changed when it needed a paint (Normal reasons..crazing etc) Car was blue all over.. I still fancy the split finish though.

Having huge fun .. Honest! Car is now ready to have the body lifted off.It is just about completly stipped out with just the doors /dash/
steering column to remove now. The body will be going off to Option 1 sports cars for repair and painting (Expensive but the best... see classics monthly) whilst I rebuild the chassis etc back to as new as poss'. Can you powdercoat on top of Galvanized finish (Chassis)?

EVERY nut bolt etc is fighting to the death.......

But I am winning

Alex B

[msd1107]

RE: Bulge in bonnet

The Lotus Service Parts List lists two bonnet part numbers, the first up to 7894 and the bonnet lid with power bulge from 7895 (start of S4 production).

However, the first 100+ S4s came with Weber carbs before the switch over to Strombergs. Even with the later use of Dellortto and/or Webers, the power bulge was retained.

When I got my S4 7988, it had Webers. I originally thought a PO had fitted Webers, but now realize they were original.

Anybody else with an early S4 and original Webers?

David
1968 36/7988

[alexblack13]

Well. It is now in Kit form. All looks workable/repairable etc apart from some rust issues (body and chassis) The body is suffering from what I undertand to be the normal rusted out door app' strengthening steelwork. The trellis/truss design no longer applies to this shell as the area where the trusses meet the main 8 mm dia steel bar is .. er...Gone!
As yet I have still to find a fastner that I could put back on the car during rebuild. They are nackered. Rusted to **** ! I now have shares in my local fastner supplier.

Question 1 .. Anyone ever used the door frame repair panels available from Susan Millar?

Question 2.. Anyone recently tackled this repair? From above or below?

Oh... And how well does grp burn? does it go out (the fire!) with water (Hose!!) or do you need anything 'special' to put the flames out

I am about to start removing the rusted main rod that runs along the bottom of the cill and weld in a new section. Hence the fire precautions

Just checking the insurance ....... !!

If you don't laugh you would cry

Body then will go off to Option 1 for the full hit. Their work is wonderfull.

Alex B. <<< ----- (welding goggles on !)