S2 Elan after 5 years -almost- on the road...

[Peter +2]

Hi just picked up this thread so apologies if this has already been covered. If you cannot disengage the clutch and the pedal is fully extented (to the floor) , then it may be worth checking the clutch master cyinder push rod. The new ones supplied can be to short and you need to use the original one if its still servicable. This happened to me many years ago with a Plus 2, so when I changed the master cylinder on my current Plus 2, I checked and sure enough the new one to short. It is easy to assume the new item is correct but it may not be.

Sorry if you have already checked this, but I thought it might help.

BTW great looking car, love the headlights.

Peter

[gordont]

Fred

I just got an email back from Charles at the type26registry, his email is [email protected] or you can also use [email protected]
As a suggestion maybe put Lotus elan in the subject line so he knows it is not spam

I am looking at doing the same with my headlights and intregued by yours, what size lamps are they and is there any reason I cannot re-use the lamps from my pop up's in the 26R style ones?

[worzel]

Hi

That's a really nice colour choice.

John

[elansprint71]

Fred

I just got an email back from Charles at the type26registry, his email is [email protected] or you can also use [email protected]
As a suggestion maybe put Lotus elan in the subject line so he knows it is not spam

I am looking at doing the same with my headlights and intregued by yours, what size lamps are they and is there any reason I cannot re-use the lamps from my pop up's in the 26R style ones?

The problem with using the 7 inch (pop-up size) lamps behind the perspex cover is because it is very difficult to set the lamps high enough for the dipped beam to shine on the road, the beam is shaded by the front of the light aperture- hence my comments above, this one looks like it might work. I thought that the perspex covers here might be longer than normal, allowing the beam to shine out unhindered but when I look again at the photos I can see this is not the case. I'd like to see some more photos of the mounts. It's too late for me as I've bought MX5 motors and made up links so that I'll soon have "electric lights"!
Many folks use a 5 inch lamp, mounted as high as possible this works very well on dipped beam but looks a bit odd.

[ripley]

Hi folks, I'm satisfied that my headlight mods find so much interest. I don't know the exact dimensions/measurements of the original pop-up headlights but it's quiet like elansprint71 are saying. I have used Jaguar XJ S1 headlights by Lucas (not too expensive at ~35 GBP each) giving bigger diameter and "old" style at the same time. Other advantage to the pop-up (original Lotus) version: The chrome bezels are very thin that they just fit above & below.
I've to admit that fitting was a bit tricky: I've created little brackets mounted between back of headlight and rear grp back panel into the moulding. The lights do fit just into this moulding "tunnel" which means that they touch upper & lower body moulding. Will try to add some more detailed pics next time.
@gordont: Thank you very much for Charles' email; will try to send him a message.
@John: Thank you very much. Colour is genuine Lotus but from the actual (Elise/Exige) programme; the Emma Peel S3 had a similar blue but I preferred a lighter tone, more "silver".
Fred

[Famous Frank]

Fred, if your 26r wheels are too wide and allowing the tires to touch the fenders, I'd be interested in purchasing them. I've got the remains of a wrecked 26r that I'm restoring and could use a new set.

Thanks, Famous Frank

[ripley]

Frank, at the front they actually do, but as I want to keep them (paid a fortune for them) I'm now trying to change the front tires (from 185/70 to 175/60) so that they hopefully will fit.
Fred

[Famous Frank]

Fred,

The car looks great,................i love the color combo, and everything about it. Should you decide to change your mind about the wheels, please let me know.

[elansprint71]

Frank,
Tell us about your wrecked 26/R. Serial numbers, photographic history; that sort of thing. There are at least two books-in-the-making by members here. It would be great to know about what you have.

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

Nice colour and i loooove your lights mod. Keep us updated

[ianm]

Ripley .....
I've just joined the site so hi ........ from Canada. Strangely enough it took me five years to complete my 1965 S2. Stick with it .... the more you drive it the more niggles will come and you'll sort them. I'm sure the other folks will agree each Elan, especially the early ones are one of a kind, as we probably got what was in the bin at the time. That being said I LOVE mine and have tremendous fun with it. Its RHD and I rebuilt it in the UK then shipped it over to Canada. If I would say one thing to you ...... drive it drive it and enjoy it. I can't bear going to some meets and guys have the car out just for show and occasions. I think these cars deserve to be driven regularly and always trun heads. Yours will ...... it looks great!

[ripley]

"ianm", you are SO right! Finally driving the Elan after so much work & trouble is something so rewarding... The proof: See pics taken today while travelling through landscape in Belgium! Every penny/Euro worth...
Fred

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