Jay Leno Elan Mods

[Ross Robbins]

Last weekend at a show in LA Jay and Jim Hall showed the S2 26R replica that has been the subject of all the build videos on his website. SO here are photos of the completed car prior to the rest of the story yet to be detailed in the blogs. I think it came out a bit mixed IMHO...the mechanical and body are terrific the interior is far too Aston/Jag and not enough Lotus. Having said that, it is his money isn't it?

[el-saturn]

............as we all know: money can get U everything - even stuff that is supposed to be better than
that of the others - But it sometimes get worse: colin and we don't need no Lotus E-Type! sandy j

[Tahoe]

I hate to be critical because I'm sure a lot of thought went into the entire project. That being said, I'm good with everything except the interior. The black dash pad, wood dash, and 26R wheel are fine, I just don't understand the carpet and seats and door panels. Too much going on there, and it doesn't go with the rest of the car in my opinion. It is understated, but just doesn't work for me.

Do I see a pin stripe down the side of the car? What wheels are on the car?

[gjz30075]

I agree with the others; wrong interior. He also didn't put the cowl grille back in so it looks unfinished in that area.
I do see a pin stripe and I believe the wheels are TTR 26R replicas.

[stevebroad]

How can you put tyres with huge white lettering on an Elan? Typifies Americans, mistaking brashness for style

[Bud English]

Okay, I'll bite.

"That's Americans for you -)"
"Typifies Americans, mistaking brashness for style "
"Yes, but you have to bear in mind that he is American "

Why go there?

[Chancer]

Avon do that on their race tyres, if you look hard it has been done using a template which is exactly how Avon do it, it oversprays the raised line around the letters.

[pete d]

Come on boy's ,it' his choice to do what to his car and create any look he wishes , personally I like it !!

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Some clever thinking, putting all of that expensive technical & very fast stuff into a clowns costume.
Who would think that it is indeed a very quick piece of kit.

Cheers
John

[Spyder fan]

Would anyone care to put an auction or private sale price on Jay's car?

I saw the overspray on the white letters on the tyres and thought why? then Chancer explained without me having to ask the question

I like the attention given to safety, I can see footwell intrusion bars and tandem master cylinders for the brakes (probably standard in the US?).

Detailing: The radiator is an interesting V shape design, the bodywork looks sublime, the racing stripe essential on that dark colour, the coachline maybe not, fit finish and quality is excellent. Interior colour is fine, but style is incorrect to my eyes and why the red rimmed steering wheel, but hey it's a cool tapering design.

[bill308]

I'm researching the building of a new alloy block street engine for my S2 Elan and called Jim Hall to ask about his experience with Jay Leno's S2 Elan.

One of the problems with the available alloy block engines is that you are strongly encouraged to go to a dry sump system. Jim thinks a wet sump system is probably more appropriate for street use. One of the major problems is where to locate a dry sump tank. Typically, this tank must hold about 1.5 gallons of oil. The reason dry sump lubrication is necessary is because most of the available alloy blocks do not make provision for a wet sump pump and the necessary cross drilling for the oil feed. Some blocks enable the cross drilling, provided the bore is kept below about 85 mm. The other issue are features in the lower block wall that enable the necessary internal oil pickup and drain back hole to be machined for a wet sump pump. Blocks with these features are rare. The Cosworth BDP block is one of these blocks. This engine was typically used for midget racing on alcohol fuel.

Jim located the dry sump tank for Jay's S2 in the passenger's foot well.

Jim does not know the cam or bore and stroke specifications on the S2 engine. The block was supplied by Jennings Racing and is about 2 liters in displacement.

Jim thinks the car is over carbureted, although he was unsure whether Weber 45's or 48's were fitted.

Jim feels the sequential 6-speed is brutal and the straight cut gears are very noisy for street use.

A concluding episode on the S2 will be available shortly.

Bill