I am starting work on my sprint

[Chris-72-Sprint]

I have started this weekend on the restoration

So far we (help from my Dad who had a 1965 S2 before he got married!)
have removed bonnet, boot, headlamp cowls, doors, all interior, dashboard, bumper, fuel tank, windscreen, rear screen

The chassis (spyder) and running gear is in fairly good condition as lots of money (?4k) was spent by the last owner getting an MOT on the car after many years of storage.

The bodywork has several stress cracks and micro blisters as it was left outside for many years. I am now going to try and find a good fibreglass/paint specialist in East Anglia - will follow up on the advice given on my last post on this subject.

Are there any popular mods to replace the electric windows/glass with something more simple e.g. perspex sliding ??

I do not want to restore my Elan as original as I enjoy the driving experience more than originality - I want to create an Elan whish looks smart, is fun to drive and practical....for example I am goint to remove the bonnet catches and replace these with "pins" or "straps"

Appreciate any help/comments

James

[cliveyboy]

Take digital pictures of everything before you remove it so you know how it goes back together.
Make lots of notes for future reference. It also acts as a record of what you have done.
Get the wiring diagram blown up to A3 size or bigger and mark on it any changes that you make.
As you are not worried about originality check all the Lotus suppliers to see if the item you took off is worth replacing with better or upgraded parts.
If you are doing the bodywork deceide if you want wider tyres or modified suspension as you might need to alter the arches to get it to fit.

Common mods to Elans are:-
Spyder chassis.
Non rotoflex drive shafts.
Modern starter motors.
Electric fuel pump.
Modified cooling systems,
Uprated brakes.
Wider tyres and suspension mods.
Electronic ignition

Clive

[Elanintheforest]

James
Clive has identified the mods that may enhance the 'driving experience' you're looking for and many will even increase the value of the car. Put bonnet pins / straps and plastic side windows in and the car will look naff and you'll start to decrease the value. And you'll be very hot in the summer. Paint it flip orange or metallic purple and you'll turn heads, but chances are they'll be laughing not admiring.

The driving experience of the original car is fantastic, and for a road car is only really improved by getting rid of the rotoflex surge and perhaps a little more power, but you have to be careful with that, as you can create a temperamental lumpy overheating pile of pooh if you're not too careful. Add wider wheels and low profile tyres with stiffer suspension and you wreck the go-kart agility of the original design.

If you?re not careful you end up with something like this?I?m sure the owner thought it looked great, but he was on his own.
Mark

[steveww]

For a great paint job go to SMS in Spalding, their details are in the Club Lotus magazine. For some details of sensible tweaks to enhance the reliability and performance of your Elan have a look at my web site http://www.stig.uklinux.net/

I second the comments of the previous post. Don't put wide low profile tyres on the Elan you will ruin it, fit Michelin XAS FF 155x13. Way more grip but with the original delicate handling

[Chris-72-Sprint]

Thanks for replies

I have taken lots of pictures and everything is labelled as well - especially the wiring

I have taken onboard comments about straps and perspex - will keep those parts original

I have also decided to keep standard width wheels as I really like the handling as it is - its much more fun than my WRX but not as scary as my Dad's TVR

Will keep you posted on the bodywork progress

James