S3 Restoration

[glennmoule]

Hi everyone, I have just bought and received my 66? pre-airflow coupe chassis no.5736.
It is now on the ramp in my workshop with work beginning tonight, starting with the body off.

How can I post my progress every day on here? This is my first post so I am unsure what is accepted/done in this situation. Do people do this?
I would like to post every step of the way so people can follow and let me know of what I am doing wrong.

Very excited!!

[jcocking]

Please use this as a history of the restoration.

[SENC]

Welcome, and we're looking forward to pictures!

[glennmoule]

It is matching numbers and too original to be true apart from the tailpipe end of the exhaust and a few small things.

[Mazzini]

Welcome!

[types26/36]

Hi everyone, I have just bought and received my 66? pre-airflow coupe chassis no.5736.
It is now on the ramp in my workshop with work beginning tonight, starting with the body off. !

Welcome, take photos of everything before and while you strip it down.....do not throw anything away even though you will be replacing it.......it will help in the long run.

[glennmoule]

I have restored many classic cars and all with price tags far exceeding comprehension. This little gem is heading in the direction of being, without a doubt the most fun and the cost to purchase in this state was an absolute minimum.
My thoughts on the Elan?s financial value in the car world are very confused and in turn are building up some passionate anger. This amazing breed of car was influential in so many ways but when I look through classifieds or any online dealers the asking price mimics the four seater metal boat anchors that, let?s face it, dare to negotiate a round about.

More about the work:
I nearly fainted when the fuel tank took a whole three minutes to take out, and the steering column spline separated without using any heat, a hammer, swearing, a drift, pry bars and then accumulating collateral damage.
Very early stages I know but what an amazing start to a journey that will have me smiling far beyond the first turn of the key.

[Pastapesto]

Hi there....that is going to be a nice little car when you have finished. I notice it's a "leftie", are you going to keep it that way or change it to RHD? Very pretty cars the pre-air flow S3s (IMHO), will you keep it the same colour which I would presume is original?

Where in the UK are you? There may be one of us close by with a similar car for you to check stuff against if you need to.

Lastly, if I may ask, what is the engine in the background from? It looks familiar but I cannot place it?

All the best & please keep those pictures coming

Good luck

Adam

[gjz30075]

Congratulations! I'll be looking forward to your resto with many pics, I hope. I have a pre air flow coupe,
#5727, began life as BRG, now white.

[Geoffers71]

Welcome Glen and well done on buying what looks like being a great restoration project. Many of us on here have recorded a step by step record of our own Elan restoration project including me and my S2. The help and advice given on here is invaluable and remember no question is too stupid as anyone reading my thread will vouch for

[glennmoule]

Thanks so much for the responses. I am sensing a great community on here.

Adam, that engine in the background is an Alpine A220 engine. I am in the middle of a restoration on one of those, as well as a few others.

I love it too much, clearly!

[glennmoule]

Body off

[S3FHC]

Hello Glen,

my Coupe isn't too many from your car, #5761, my car left the factory in May 1966.

Good luck with the restoration,

Mark

[glennmoule]

Thanks, yes mine was May 66? as well

[glennmoule]

Does anyone have at hand a wiring diagram for a 66? coupe?