Mission (restoration) completed !
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Two years ago I had enough searching for my "ever wished" classic car. They where either to expensive or in a condition I would not be able to restore her within a few years. So I changed my mind and started looking for Elan's. As I live in Switzerland, they not very often show up in local adverts, so I traveled to the UK and to Germany to view some of them. It had to be a coupe preferably with good bodywork and the mechanics as good as possible, as I intended to restore this part anyway. My limit was about 16000? (around 25000 USD)
None of those I had seen matched my criteria and after continued search without success I decided to go for a red one I had checked in Germany. The owner had the car imported from the UK, so it was RHD. Somehow the car was the opposite what I wanted. The bodywork was bad but mechanically she was in a very good condition. This is when I got her ...
After disassembly the body was stripped down to the gel coat/fiberglass (what a mess, glad it's over). Repair of over a dozen fiberglass cracks. Once everything was apart I decided to do some modifications:
- change from RHD to LHD meant
- making new pedal assembly (a little wider apart than the originals)
- making a new dashboard (with a clock now)
- change of speedometer from miles to km
- making a glove box (built of fiberglass with light inside)
- rewiring the electrics using multi-plug connectors
- relocating the steering lock/ignition key
- buying a new steering rack, then limiting it so it doesn't touch the anti roll bar
- relocating handbrake
- drilling holes in the bulkhead for brake, clutch, steering, handbrake, etc.
What else:
- modified radiator with new modern electrical fan
- Air filter replaced with K&N filters
- Generator replaced by alternator
- modified electrics with additional relays and fuses
- Heater & fan system modified with new silent/long life motor (I know it doesn't really matter
- new door handles & locks
- new carpets
- making of new seat belt attachment frame with new inertia seat belts
- new headlining
- doughnuts replaced by solid drive shafts
- all screws replaced by stainless types
Apart from above a lot of smaller parts where either replaced or renewed. Well, it doesn't seem much but all in all it took me two years of work. By far the most work went into the repair and preparation of the bodywork. I enjoyed (almost) every minute and now I know all the things I could do better next time . And know what, a week after I bought the Elan, the car I always wanted came up in an advert ...
Now the Elan is ready for its first Swiss MOT and then she will become an everyday car as I need her to go work. And I will enjoy to go to work
Some pics of several stages
Peter
None of those I had seen matched my criteria and after continued search without success I decided to go for a red one I had checked in Germany. The owner had the car imported from the UK, so it was RHD. Somehow the car was the opposite what I wanted. The bodywork was bad but mechanically she was in a very good condition. This is when I got her ...
After disassembly the body was stripped down to the gel coat/fiberglass (what a mess, glad it's over). Repair of over a dozen fiberglass cracks. Once everything was apart I decided to do some modifications:
- change from RHD to LHD meant
- making new pedal assembly (a little wider apart than the originals)
- making a new dashboard (with a clock now)
- change of speedometer from miles to km
- making a glove box (built of fiberglass with light inside)
- rewiring the electrics using multi-plug connectors
- relocating the steering lock/ignition key
- buying a new steering rack, then limiting it so it doesn't touch the anti roll bar
- relocating handbrake
- drilling holes in the bulkhead for brake, clutch, steering, handbrake, etc.
What else:
- modified radiator with new modern electrical fan
- Air filter replaced with K&N filters
- Generator replaced by alternator
- modified electrics with additional relays and fuses
- Heater & fan system modified with new silent/long life motor (I know it doesn't really matter
- new door handles & locks
- new carpets
- making of new seat belt attachment frame with new inertia seat belts
- new headlining
- doughnuts replaced by solid drive shafts
- all screws replaced by stainless types
Apart from above a lot of smaller parts where either replaced or renewed. Well, it doesn't seem much but all in all it took me two years of work. By far the most work went into the repair and preparation of the bodywork. I enjoyed (almost) every minute and now I know all the things I could do better next time . And know what, a week after I bought the Elan, the car I always wanted came up in an advert ...
Now the Elan is ready for its first Swiss MOT and then she will become an everyday car as I need her to go work. And I will enjoy to go to work
Some pics of several stages
Peter
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crypto - Second Gear
- Posts: 106
- Joined: 20 Apr 2014
Nicely done! I'm a big fan of careful restorations done by the person who owns the car. I find myself having a silent big smile every time I drive one of the cars I have rebuilt. It's a feeling of satisfaction and pride that is difficult to replicate.
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
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Certified Lotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1233
- Joined: 04 Aug 2014
Peter
O.K. I'll ask , my "ever wished" classic car. ?
E Type?
John
O.K. I'll ask , my "ever wished" classic car. ?
E Type?
John
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john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 5744
- Joined: 21 Sep 2003
john.p.clegg wrote:Peter
O.K. I'll ask , my "ever wished" classic car. ?
E Type?
John
Good guess, the E is number 2, but I would like to own a Peerless GT. Not because of its performance but I like the shape and it's really a special car. It has some similarities with the Aston DB4 but these are way out of my budget. With only about 300 made and maybe half of them left, they appear maybe twice a year in the adverts.
Peter
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crypto - Second Gear
- Posts: 106
- Joined: 20 Apr 2014
Nickm wrote:Love the colour. Is it Lagoon blue?
Nick
This is Alfa Romeo Azzurro blue, a light blue (metallic paint). Lagoon blue is a lot darker
el-saturn wrote:welcome to the CLUB: lovely car i must say!! i'm in st. gallen and have a dhc: 36/4982 (cam here as OPEN with hardtop) so it's actually a FHC! sandy
Hi Sandy
Thanks for the welcome , I'm near Zug.
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crypto - Second Gear
- Posts: 106
- Joined: 20 Apr 2014
Beautiful restoration! you have inspired me to finish mine!
Current: 1965 S1.5 26/4004, 1966 S3 FHC 36/5192, 1958 Fiat Abarth 750GT Zagato, 1967 Brabham BT21B, 1988 Arrows A10B-04, 1991 Brun C91-001.
Past: 1971 Elan S4/SE DHC, 1972 Europa Special, 1980 Esprit Turbo, 1988 March 881-05, 1990 Leyton House CG90105
Past: 1971 Elan S4/SE DHC, 1972 Europa Special, 1980 Esprit Turbo, 1988 March 881-05, 1990 Leyton House CG90105
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CG901 - Second Gear
- Posts: 183
- Joined: 21 Feb 2013
Wow, well done - a beautiful outcome. Thanks for sharing - I am also a fan of the final color.
"What kind of a man are you? Don't you even like dolphins!?" - Zorba the Greek
69 Elan S4/SE DHC
66 Ford Mustang Conv. (289ci)
71 Cadillac Eldorado Conv. (8.2L)
65 Buick Wildcat Conv. (425ci)
And a pickup truck full of Miatas....
69 Elan S4/SE DHC
66 Ford Mustang Conv. (289ci)
71 Cadillac Eldorado Conv. (8.2L)
65 Buick Wildcat Conv. (425ci)
And a pickup truck full of Miatas....
- SF69Elan
- Second Gear
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 27 Mar 2014
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