Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Sitting since 1991
45 9078
DHC
Webbers and not too thrashed
Needs a refit of most bits...Paint!
About 3 serious glass fibre repairs
And the big issue, most screws can pulled through body
Such as driver and passenger window seal
Probably the standard miss aligned doors from wrong batch need some attention too
So a big old winter project
My aim, is to fit new fluid lines and rad etc, pronto.
Get some miles on her
And expecting a body off winter of fun
Pics to follow gents

hope the pictures of the 29 years of dust show up

Good to see another one returning to the road!

This is clearly a Federal S4. Only a few numbers off my 69 Elan.

I wonder how it got a Weber head, but so much the better.

Even has the original cast exhaust manifold with chamber for the crossover pipes for the emission control Strombergs. Has the flat cutout on the front bumper for US license. Recommend filling that in (I did), really messes with the smooth lines of the car. Federal headrest seats, dual circuit brakes, etc. all indicative of Federal car. Badging has been removed.

Dash is a bit odd. Looks like they removed the choke (not really needed for the Webers). Also the heater and headlight switches in an odd position. Extra gauge. No big deal.

Looks like a good base to end up with a nice Elan. We are all here to help. Enjoy your project.

Left the factory with a G Federal Stromberg engine fitted, so certainly intended for the North American market. Invoiced in June 1969.

Looks like the head and cam cover have come from an earlier car.

Good project to have fun with.

Tim

Love the oil can next to the Webers. I suspect it's going to take a bit more than a couple of shots of oil.

They are still looking for the dashpots to top up

Not much on the move yet.
Carb rebuild kit on its way.
Have to remove the crossmember, so I can keep with the fun water pump set up.
Have most soft rubbery things on their way too.
More stiff cv conversion too...

Yes, I had planned a whole whack of glass fibering. Not sure how smooth things will get, surely better than how she is. My pre federal +2 is very enjoyable. More so than the 05 Elise.

Have some Panasports collecting dust, and as the Elan is getting some paint (same French Blue). I sort of suspect I might go crazy with gold paint on the lower rocker and bumpers to match...

Now if this was a Coupe. I don't think I would dis colour the bumpers, but paint them to match body.

I am looking for advise on two things

1, Modification of door window frame.
My plan is to cut window frame at base and front by wind shield. Then, add some insert to fit in the track, as when the window is up. The insert is pressed against the existing track/frame. So when I want the top up. I place the window frame into the slot. Put window up. And hope it seals.

2 Steering wheel. Colin Chapman wheel. Seems to have too much flex on the top between 3 & 9 o'clock. I suspect the metal is broken. I am a ok welder. Have Tig Mig Stick, Oxy Ace brazing skills. Plasma if I gotta cut something.
I suspect I should just find a steering wheel manufacturer ( there is a good one here in Quebec Canada)
I am sure a repair of this one is doable, although I have not opened it up to see what is wrong.

Any comments appreciated

Kind Regards

Don?t mess with the window frames. They are one of the rarest and most expensive parts on your car.- you will seriously devalue the car.

elanfan1 wrote:Don?t mess with the window frames. They are one of the rarest and most expensive parts on your car.- you will seriously devalue the car.

+1. If you cannot live with the frames, better to get an early car instead.

Ok
Thanks
I appreciate the comments.

As most/all of my longer trips will be in the +2. because of the aero/air flow is pushed away around the drivers passenger cabin by the forward 1/4 windows.

I will most likely never take a long trip the the dhc.

And barring ever finding a good 67 s3se fhc, i will be frustrated.

Would an option be to remove the windows/frames completely and carry some polycarbonate to put in place if it ever were to rain. doubt I would ever carry the top anyway!

Finally all the bits arrived, and will get cracking soon.

I am looking for advise, in removing the body. Not sure yet if I need to. But if I do, I hope to be ready.

My plan is, to use a set of pullies. Two together (about a foot apart) to act as spreaders. Two at the front of the car. And two at the rear. With nylon 1.5 - 2 inch webbing. Would be enough to hold the body. And the weight and angle (as to not crush) subsequent for lifting the body (10 foot garage ceiling). The pullies would allow the car to roll enough to access the underside more easily.

I can make a drawing if desired. I dont have space for full rotisserie.

Hope to hear some comments please

When I changed my Plus 2 and Elan chassis first time both many years ago I used jacks to raised the body then fitted a wooden beam under the body and above the backbone in front of the rear wheels and another just in front of the engine fire wall ( with the engine removed already).

I then use 2 winches on each side of the body to the rear wooden beam and one into the engine bay attached to the centre of the front wooden beam to raise the body high enough to roll out the chassis for a replacement. I had a 2.5m set of garage roof beams to attach the winches to.

These days I have a 2 post hoist to raise bodies on and off the chassis. much easier

cheers
Rohan

Is that your garage? You have a lift, just pick it up and roll the chassis out from under it. Drop it on some dollies and you can then pick it up however you see fit.