Jay Leno Elan Mods

[Ross Robbins]

Jim Hall is Jay's builder and he and Jay take you through a recreation as only Jay could afford and be willing to do. Two liter aluminum block twin cam, six speed sequential gearbox, super light 26R body, etc. Check it out here:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segment/restoration-blog/restoration-blog-1966-lotus-elan-update-2/

[memini55]

Hi Ross,

Happy 4th! Gee all it takes is money and your own private builder. Nice to see what they are doing and it should be a blast to drive.

Thanks for posting and I will look for one in your garage soon.
Take care
Mark

[Spyder fan]

Happy 4th July Mark, Ross and all in the USA.

It's nice to watch someone else's Resto Modifications for a change!
Mind you, I have my own personal builder called Wiggy (whom I share with quite a few other Spyder customers), what he doesn't know about modifying or restoring Elans isn't worth a fig.

I have been accused of carrying out a cheque book restoration with my S4, but specially commissioning that 2:0 twin cam block takes the biscuit!

Not sure about the 6 speed seqeuntial gearbox, thats going to be a real pain to live with on the road, I looked at a Quaife 6 speed sequential and discounted it, those things are for the track when you need to use full power in all ratios all the time, you get a rudimentary clutch to allow you to sit on the line for the start and that's it.

The rest all looks good and is certainly different from what I am doing, in essence Jay is commissioning a modified replica rather than a more blatant silhouette, I will be interested to see the running gear that they will be using, bet they don't use trunnions or rotoflexes

Regards

[alexblack13]

Hi Guys...

Spyder fan wrote...
I have been accused of carrying out a cheque book restoration with my S4, but specially commissioning that 2:0 twin cam block takes the biscuit!

Regards[/quote]

Sure does. But he does it right does he not.. Its going to be a great car. Can the sequential box not be fitted with a more road car orientated clutch? Similar to say a motorcycle??

I too was accused of doing a chequebook restoration (how else does one do it right?) and I did everything myself except the paintwork!!!!

The same twit also accused me of buying some parts from another (fine) enthusiast just to sell them on Ebay to make a few quid!! Oh how wrong was he. Folks who really know me (this one doesn't!) know I would hardly bend down to pick up a fiver off the street. And if I did it would get handed to the 1st passing old buddy..

I think we will always have the fools to suffer, and I am sure its all down to jealousy.

Ignore the twit.

Great thread. I'm addicted to the jay L updates too. They are superb... Something to aim for for other 26Rr enthusiasts.


Well done guys..

Alex...

[archigator]

Although I enjoy keeping my Sprint as stock as possible (hidden bits like a high-torque starter not withstanding), I really do enjoy seeing what unlimited funds can do to squeeze-out the Elan's ultimate "crazy fast" racing potential. I'm interested to see the brakes that they'll put on this rocket. Also interesting that Jay is reinforcing the stock chassis rather than opting for a Spyder chassis.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[elansprint71]

Stop Press:
Carbon-fibre Elan body fitted on V16 hybrid McLaren F1.

[alexblack13]

Stop Press:
Carbon-fibre Elan body fitted on V16 hybrid McLaren F1.

What are you like man!....

AB...

[DeanG]

I guess with all his cars it doesn't make a difference to him but I would keep a sweet running S2 running and go for a Spyder chassis and suspension.

[rennbaron]

...

story goes on:

Restoration Blog: Lotus Elan Update 3 - Coming Aug 19

Cheers Christian

[Crusty]

I think that it is worth mentioning that Jay also has also a very original S4 sky blue which he adores because the Elan is Gordon Murries Mc F1 designers favourite car and inspiration. So he enjoys the original now he?s is going all Billy Gibbons. Good fun though

[Ross Robbins]

Here is the latest bit on the Elan mods...just a detail in the process but interesting nonetheless. It shows the lengths to which they are going as any good dry sump tank has all these elements; but perhaps they couldn't find one to fit in the required location.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segment/restoration-blog/restoration-blog-1966-lotus-elan-26r-update-3/

[alexblack13]

As they say.... The devil is in the detail..

Very nice work. The sand is the secret. That, and the right temp'.

AB....

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

That man seems to know about oil tanks alright; nice large oil return, plenty of breathers & a form of oil/air separation.
A shame he couldn't get a bit more height into it to provide better separation & reduced swash but I guess he's found a nice slot to fit it into the engine bay; a far better solution to the passenger compartment or even the boot which some racers opt for.
It'll be interesting to see where it actually does find its new home in that Elan.

John

[curly type 26]

As Alex says the devil is in the detail

[Ross Robbins]

Here is an update I missed:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segment/restoration-blog/restoration-blog-1969-lotus-elan-26r-update-4/index.shtml

Here's the latest update:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segment/restoration-blog/restoration-blog-1966-lotus-elan-26r-update-5/index.shtml


Not much progress lately but I suspect it will speed up as Jay has noted the slow pace and seems like he has prioritized the Elan now.