Body Parts

[cal44]

Body Bits,
Because it is raining and I am bored, I was wondering if there is a supplier for body parts for the Plus 2........or...........if you are hit, are you s.o.l

[andyelan]

Hi There

All the fiberglass is available, from a small corner to a full shell, it's the decoration and trim that's usually a problem. The chrome surround for the radiator opening and the strips which run along the sills are getting difficult to source also bumper bars are not a easy to come by as they once were.

Andy

[Jason1]

http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/index.php?mod=10


There does not seems to be a problem getting panels from the usual suspects see link above for SJ Sportscars, what you will find is that very few new panels are grafted on correctly. If you look carefully at a +2 that has had a repair it is usually obvious where the repair is. Mine is easy to see and I remember Berni used to call his Frankin-car because you could see all of the rivets in the new front end.

Over here the insurance company nominates the repairer and unless you argue it is nearly always the cheapest repairer with no fibreglass knowledge.

Jason

[cal44]

Thanks Andy and Jason. I am new to the marque so I will be doing the question and answer gig for a while.
Regards,
Mike

[rdssdi]

I purchased a front nose from Steve at SJ Sportscars. It had the molded in driving lamp bowls. My non "S" +2 did not have this. Rather than glass over I added the lights. It appears the front section mold was off of a painted finished +2 "S". There were very slight fitting problems although I assume no worse than a Lotus factory part.

Bob
1969 Elan +2
1968 TVR Vixen
1962 Jaguar MK2 3.4

[Craig Elliott]

I seem to recall that there was (and may be still is) a company called Boss Engineering in Norfolk that had the original body moulds for the +2 and could make anything up to a whole shell. Can't find it on my interweb but they were still around 6 years or so ago (I got a new bonnet from them).

C

[rdssdi]

My memory is spotty but I believe that Miles Wilkens offers sections and complete bodies from "original" molds.

On the front section I grafted on, I had to shrink the front bottom wheel well corners to prevent the tire contacting in a sharp angle. It was simple. A small triangle of fiberglass was removed and the lip pressed back into the new position and glassed and filled and finished.

There is always some fettling required.

My TVR Vixen body was painted today. Need to fit to chassis.

Bob

[nebogipfel]

I seem to recall that there was (and may be still is) a company called Boss Engineering in Norfolk that had the original body moulds for the +2 and could make anything up to a whole shell. Can't find it on my interweb but they were still around 6 years or so ago (I got a new bonnet from them).

C

Boss Motors near Snetterton race track Norfolk

http://www.norwichonline.co.uk/info/1361/

...assuming he's still there (he made my screen frame in 2003)

[Jason1]

Thanks Andy and Jason. I am new to the marque so I will be doing the question and answer gig for a while.
Regards,
Mike

No worries Mike, fresh blood always welcome.


Boss motors ad attached. I have never used them but as they are not on the internet and still have a fax number maybe they are old boys

Hope this helps.

Jason

[pete d]

Hi fellow Lotus Nut's ,I have used A-1 in the past to supply body panels for my S-3 DHC, and more recently parts for my S-4 FHC , can only give a good recommendation !!! ask for Mick. Hope this helps

[DUKE]

Boss Motors are very much still alive and kicking,located in Chalk Lane on opp side of A11 to Snetterton race circuit.

[bigvalvehead]

HI All
I have several original factory body sections. All rear/side end panels for the plus 2 and rear ends for S3 2 seater Elans.
Price 100gbp per panel.
For further info contact Dave Hughes at [email protected] or 07740 401519
Cheers
Dave

[Craig Elliott]

Looking back at the OP's location, I guess the usual suspects in the USA would be the best bet (Dave Bean etc?), nonetheless, at least you can get body parts in the UK although shipping them may be costly...

Have a good new year all!

C

[rdssdi]

I purchased a +2 front section from SJ sportscars. As I was purchasing many parts from the UK, the section was consolidated with the other items by the freight company. An Elan +2 and an Elan owner and I all purchased Spyder chassis and other parts from the UK. This bulk purchase help reduce the individual crating and shipping costs. At the time Spyder was offering a discount on orders above a certain amount. This prompted our consolidated purchase.

It could be done today if a group of U.S. listers wanted body parts. It works best when the shipment goes to one location. Proper crating of the parts is essential.

Bob
1969 Lotus Elan +2
1968 TVR Vixen
1963 Jaguar MK2 3.4

[S2Jay]

Another Newbie here. Since you were discussing fiberglass repair, let me ask for some clarification about replacement body bits. My S2 has a small tweak where tire contact took out a piece of the outside fender lip near the top of the right front arch. Is this something that is best repaired by an experienced fiberglass man, or is there a bit of body with the original curve that should be grafted on? The area is only about 7? [inches, ~ 18 cm] x 2? wide [5 cm] [see pic]. All suggestions appreciated.

Jay