New car arriving

[alexblack13]

Thanks Tim. You are so right. The tendancy is now to rush it to the finishing line which is a bad idea. So I won't do that.

here are a few more pics..When I was replacing the Lattice side / cill bits.

Alex B

[alexblack13]

Well you did ask for pic's

here are a few more....

update..Brakes all bled and checked for leaks. Engine cranked over and oil pressure checked. It made 40 psi cranking over

Cheers all.

Alex B.

[alexblack13]

Hi All,
A wee update for you.

Got the carbs back from refurb. Not quite what I wanted but well overhauled. They could have looked a bit better but that is something I can improve as and when.

Engine bay is now more or less finished with new overflow bottle/horn etc and..... the engine is running again . I will take some pics and post them asap. The little airhorn I used looks smart and fitted very neatly. Made my wife jump damd near 10 ft when I tested it

I will get some pics up again soon.

Have fun... Alex.

[alexblack13]

Just a few progress pics..

AB

[alexblack13]

Hi All,
Just getting on with wiring the dash panel. Few prob's here n there but about ready to plug and play. With a 10 amp breaker in the battery con'... should stop it going up in flames

I had to spray paint the rocker switches. They were so far gone and very badly faded etc I had no choice, so I wire wooled them and coated them with plastic primer then 2 coats of Halfords finest satin black. They came out quite glossy though! But they look great. The dash was re vineered in straight teak. 4 coats of laquer applied then I took the panel to a local sign maker and he made me the correct lettering and applied them. Best 20 quid I spent on the car Back to the carpenter for more coats of laquer then... Finished and looks cool...

This weeks step back (two steps forward and one step back!! )

Came when I discovered the nice condition (I thought) alloy petrol tank in the car when I got it leaks. Badly !! So its got to come out again.

Ah Well !!

Alex B

[alexblack13]

Progressing well. Dash is in and all working great. Started to the carpet trim.
Question.... Anyone used alluminium sheet for the panels covering the cills? I think this could be a good idea. Also... anyone fitted inertia reel belts to the dhc sprint? If so what etc???

This weeks step back.. Sitting on the tranny tunnell tuning in the Radiomobile fitted from new radio and enjoying the music. When I tried to set one station into the LW preset it switched to LW and would not come out of it no way Bugger! It had to come out again and is away to a classic car radio service person. I will report back on the job when I get it refitted.

Anyone had the FM/MP3 conversion done to their radio? Recommend it ??

Have fun...

Alex B

[Jas]

Hi Alex

I like reading your updates, keep up the good work.
I have attached a document on how you could fit inertia reel belts, so that they are out of sight.
I have tried it in Victor?s car, and it both works and looks good, I plan to do it this winter.

Cheers

[alexblack13]

Hi Jannik / All,

Thanks for the info' jannik.That looks like a good idea.I will save the info for future reference and might well act on the design.Thank You.

Any answers on the ally side panels for the cills anyone?

2nd setback this week... Starter solenoid will not work off the key !!
Looks to be the solenoid itself. Anyone tell me what resistance should be over the coil? At the moment I am reading no continuity and 12+ volts in one side = zero at the other. Bu**er again !! Will it ever stop costing money ????

It is getting there though.


Alex B

Alex B

[alexblack13]

Stand easy on the solenoid problem/question peeps. Looks like some plonker had a connection in the wrong place. ME !! OOPs...

Fixed now. All running again. Fitted my new old stock petrol tank complete with Lotus sticker/part No and test pressure still attached. Braw!! The filler hose is a better fit also. Need to make up my mind as to which tank to finalize on. I think I will leave the proper Lotus item in place now.Only thing I hate is the bolts sticking thro the floor/rear apron.They sure look crap. I keep telling myself that is how it should be etc etc. Still looks crap though. Fitted the tank useing a nice dome headed s/s nut and washer so thats the best its going to look I guess. Std BZP nylocks underneath on the non visable ones.

Boot area nearly finished now.....

Cheers all....

Alex B

[alexblack13]

Hi again,

Some pics showing the progress.

[robcall]

Hi Alex-coming along really well
I see you have the cigar lighter blanked off-was this as your car came?
I had a previous Sprint which had the same plug used to blank out the hole for a dash mounted ignition switch-Lotus saving money by using up old dashes

[alexblack13]

Hi ,
Yes the blanking plug was there when I bought of the car. As I don't smoke I would rather have that than the lighter. I am thinking of something to occupy the ash tray at the mo' as it will never be used for fag ash. I found some coins in the car when I took it apart one of which is an old shilling. Sometimes called a 'bob'. The shilling is going back into the ashtray with some 'evilstick' to keep it there and the car is now called (by my wife) ''wee bob''...

Not sure the name suits! I call it my bank account emptying device. That suits it fine...

Alex...

[robcall]

Too funny-I found 10bob(50p) in mine
I think thats the change the car gives you get after shellng out so much!
The 19,999.50pounds sounds less than 20,000pounds psychology!

[rowanjackson]

I am new here having just purchaes an Elan Sprint in Australia. The progress of this car looks great. Does anyone know where I might get an ashtray and centre console. Those items are missing from the car I have purchased. I am also interested in buying a dash template aswell. Mine has a number of additional switches and guages which I don't really want.

regards

Rowan
Brisbane
Australia

[robcall]

Would that be the white one from WA?
reproduction centre consoles can be had from Paul Matty's.I found them to be trimmed a bit undersized and may not allow the carpet to be tucked properly underneath.If you don't have an elbow pad this would have to be fabricated(not difficult).
The ashray comes up from time to time on e-bay.