Lotus Elan

V8 +2

PostPost by: agp22 » Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:28 pm

Hi everyone

Anybody know more about Colin Chapman's V8 plus 2 intentions?

Has anyone ever installed a small V8 in one of these?

Thanks
agp22
New-tral
 
Posts: 3
Joined: 09 Mar 2013

PostPost by: Fred Talmadge » Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:34 pm

I've never heard of this so I did a quick search and found this nice story
http://welovelotus.com/?page_id=65

Now I'm wondering if he thought he could get a streetable Cosworth into a Elan? Has there ever been any streetable version of the V8 Cosworth?
User avatar
Fred Talmadge
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 676
Joined: 24 Sep 2003
Location: Sonora CA USA

PostPost by: h20hamelan » Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:28 pm

somewhere I read his intentions were for a v6 but that may have been a straight 6

the mazda v6 from early 90's was the lightest v6, people get 400 reliable hp and I have read of a turbo on one at 700hp

I want the batteries where the drive shaft is, electric motor where the rear end is and a small gas or diesel generator under bonnet

torque would be great, distance no problem top speed would be fine.
Born, and brought home from the hospital (no seat belt (wtf)) in a baby!
Find out where the limits are, and start from there
Love your Mother
Earth
User avatar
h20hamelan
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2097
Joined: 25 Sep 2010
Location: RACECAR spelled backward, is——RACECAR! Kayak, Kayak. The Faster You Drive...The Slower You Age

PostPost by: Quart Meg Miles » Tue Apr 09, 2013 9:58 pm

In the thread "+2 with Elan nose" lotus-elan-f19/with-elan-nose-t24114.html it was mentioned that Chapman abandoned his V8 scheme when the American market changed. Worth reading page 3 of that thread anyway (in "Elan and Plus 2 Discussions") where a +2 with V8 is revealed.

EDIT And here it is below!
Last edited by Quart Meg Miles on Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Meg

26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
User avatar
Quart Meg Miles
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1292
Joined: 03 Oct 2012
Location: Barnham, W Sussex, UK

PostPost by: munro1969 » Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:13 pm

Ok here we go apologies to any purists but this car was missing its correct engine front end and fit for scrap when I got it. So having heard that Colin Chapman thought about putting a v8 in the plus 2, I had a go at making a car that might not have been a million miles away form what could have been. I picked the rover v8 because its was cheap available in the UK from rover in the 60s and at only 150kg I think it would have been the most likely engine. The front end is a modified 1960?s lotus elite with a triumph GT6 bonnet bulge again a car from the late 60?s that he had already borrowed bits of. The rest of it I made up and if I was going to put the rover v8 in I figured I might as well put the 4.6ltr in from the range rover p38. The LT77 gearbox that came with the engine was heavy and crap so the TVR chimaera borg warner t5 gear box could take the power and was lighter, the lotus drive shafts could not take the 280bhp and 360lbs of torque that?s a guess by the way so I modified the chassis to take the Sierra Cosworth LSD diff and used the cosworth short drive shaft on the passenger side and had a custom short one made for the drivers side along with custom hub carriers so I could fit the sierra rear brakes and a hand brake that actually works. Anyway am not a lotus expert so half of what I just said might be wrong but it drives nice and scares the hell out me, still got a long shopping list including a used Spyder chassis that I can butcher and an MSD electronic ignition and distributor, under dash trims and a 90 degree take off for the speedo drive so if any one can help point me in the right direction it would be appreciated. I will add some more pics over the weekend .
Attachments
DSCN0779.JPG and
DSCN0778.JPG and
DSCN0775.JPG and
DSCN0774.JPG and
296_23314679023_7600_n.jpg and
296_23314664023_6539_n.jpg and
296_23314684023_7963_n.jpg and
296_23314659023_6204_n.jpg and
IMG_1519.JPG and
IMG_1515.JPG and
Last edited by munro1969 on Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
munro1969
First Gear
First Gear
 
Posts: 18
Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Location: cramlington

PostPost by: Tahoe » Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:33 pm

Okay, I like it a lot. You know what that car looks better than a +2 in the front. Sorry if I offened anyone but the lines look great.
Tahoe
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 643
Joined: 19 Sep 2010

PostPost by: bengalcharlie » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:27 am

wow, nicely done!! I like it too! you can be proud of your work.
cheers robin :)
bengalcharlie
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 285
Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Location: New Zealand

PostPost by: Chancer » Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:52 am

Stunning!!!

How much more popular would the plus 2 have been if they looked like that?

How about if they looked like that and had a Rover V8 lump?

Mind you probably in the day the styling would have been seen as old fashioned but to me that is one of the most beautifull cars I have ever seen.
Chancer
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1370
Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Location: Northern France/ Sussex UK

PostPost by: Peter +2 » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:06 am

That looks like one hell of a Plus 2.

Do keep us posted of any developments.

Peter
1968 +2 BRM
Peter +2
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 302
Joined: 26 May 2010

PostPost by: pauljones » Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:51 pm

Fantastic, I love the front end too.

Paul,
Kick the tyres and light them fires...!!!!!!!
pauljones
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 901
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Gosport sur la mer,South hants

PostPost by: Quart Meg Miles » Sat Apr 13, 2013 4:44 pm

Chancer wrote:Stunning!!!

How much more popular would the plus 2 have been if they looked like that?

How about if they looked like that and had a Rover V8 lump?

Mind you probably in the day the styling would have been seen as old fashioned but to me that is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

It would have seemed retro which wasn't fashionable. It is rather 60s Italian at the front, think Frua, and I'd like to see the overal balance better before passing judgement.

The +2 side view was ugly when it came out due to the naked side window shape but the front was fine and reflected the bugeoning wedge formula cars, e.g. Type 56 turbine car. Later models looked much better and the rear quarter view is sublime.

Munro's magnificently produced machine is astonishing and with 280 BHP and a Lotus chassis do I care if it's retro?
Meg

26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
User avatar
Quart Meg Miles
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1292
Joined: 03 Oct 2012
Location: Barnham, W Sussex, UK

PostPost by: Mazzini » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:32 pm

Wow! That's amazing! I like it! Which surprises even me. Great job.
User avatar
Mazzini
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2286
Joined: 11 Dec 2010
Location: NE UK

PostPost by: mark030358 » Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:54 pm

Love that front...

Mark
User avatar
mark030358
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1269
Joined: 29 May 2004
Location: Willaston, Wirral

PostPost by: munro1969 » Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:32 am

Thank you to everybody for your comments, You have inspired me again its been a garage queen for for years now and I have only taken it to one show at knock Hill where it failed dismally on the track due to a replacement fuel pump that i had to fit the night before not being up to the job but I will try to take it to some shows this year and I will keep looking for that illusive second hand Spyder chassis.
Thanks again Munro
munro1969
First Gear
First Gear
 
Posts: 18
Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Location: cramlington

PostPost by: agp22 » Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:34 pm

Awesome! Did you make any suspension changes?
agp22
New-tral
 
Posts: 3
Joined: 09 Mar 2013
Next

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest