S3 Project: I don't know Jack

[gjz30075]

Do you think you'll be ready for the 2024 Austin LOG?

[TWebb]

Neil,

Headed down to OKC this Friday. Will stop by Vintage Connection in the afternoon. Will you be around?

Tim

[2mAn]

Let’s see a pic of the car with the wheels on! Are they 13”?

[neilcritter]

Yes, we have 13 inch Panasport wheels with new Kumho 155/80R13 tires on for now. The project has a full set of original magnesium Lotus Elan wheels (with the awesome Lotus logo shape) that we'll put on for car shows, but in the next year we plan to get it on the road to enjoy driving it.

This weekend will mark the 2 year anniversary of the project arriving to Oklahoma City and it should be on the road in 2024!

[neilcritter]

We are on the road! Final shakedown for the next two weeks before our car club travels to a lake in Oklahoma for a 3 day drive.

What essential parts do you carry in your Elan for road trips?

Does anyone have an easy to reference parts list for the US for mission critical parts that can be found at local parts stores on the road?

[gjz30075]

Weren't you beardless when this started?

[neilcritter]

yes! I have aged quite a bit!

Laughing aside, the driver in this photo is my dear friend Michael who has helped me so very, very much on this project.

Weren't you beardless when this started?

[The Veg]

Great to hear the news! Have as much fun with it as you can!

Other than fluids you won't find much anything for an Elan at USA auto parts shops. Best things you can carry are tools, a cell phone, a credit card, and a AAA membership. Beyond that, use your judgement for what you think is likely to fail (know your car!) and can be dealt with on the roadside.

[prezoom]

One thing I carry that is a bit unusual is a heater control valve. Had one fail on a 1500 mile tour of the Eastern Sierra's in the middle of nowhere. Lost most of the coolant when the diaphragm let loose, but was lucky that I was near a stream and there were some bushes close at hand. Whittled out a couple of plugs from a branch and used them to plug the hose and after disassembly of the valve, the hole into the cylinder head. When I got back home, I found it difficult to find a new replacement valve. But upon comparing various other valves, I discovered they were all basically the same internally. So I bought 2 from fleabay and carry the spare internal bits in my usual get me home kit.

[2mAn]

So, how'd it go?

[neilcritter]

3 years after spotting an Elan for the first time I'm finally done (or closer to done) with my project named Jack.

Our British car club has departed Oklahoma City and we are currently 111 miles east heading for Eureka Spring, AR which is the same region where we attended Brits in the Ozarks in fall of 2021.

At the moment my wife is driving our project for the first time. It's a joyous occasion and I'll post more from this weekend including when my S3 is finally with Steve's Sprint. He is departing from Tulsa and meeting us tonight at The Tall Pines Inn.

Thank you all for following the journey! More to come.... including the rest of the badges on the car. It's a project that will never be finished.

Neil

[pharriso]

Looking great, enjoy the driving!

[2mAn]

Congrats!

[The Veg]

Have fun! I used to do motorbike-trips around that region years ago when I lived in TexSux. Great mountain-roads in that part of Arkansas!

[mjbeanie]

Well Done! Enjoy. I am in the throws of the same adventure on my S3. Its being prepared for painting.
Then the fun begins. I'll be reaching out if I get stuck during the restoration. Congratulations! Happy Motoring.

By the way, If you can advise what the specific type blue paint, used on your Cam Cover, is called-- I would really appreciate it!