Sprint decals paint or stick on

[AshleyPark]

Nothing incorrect about not having decals 'out of the factory' or even a single colour. It was the choice of the customer. You're welcome.

[JimE]

Hi Jim,
I don't suppose you have a few photos or snaps
Alan

Hi Alan.
I'm affraid not. I was attending the Lotus Evasion of the Lakes in my +2 during the mid 80s and there was a lagoon blue over white drop head. I believe it may have been a M reg, which is of course rare. Whilst I am a stickler for originality, George had done a fantastic job in painting the decals and I remember at the time thinking I'd go for it if I was repainting a Sprint. A picture from the event with the car is in an old Club Lotus magazine. If I turn it up I'll post. Jim

[alan.barker]

Hi Jim.
Many thanks. I've got all club mags going back 30 years +++
I'll have a search in the club mags 80's.
Well it will keep me busy and makes me pleased i've kept them.
Alan

[UAB807F]

thanks,
i've looked at "Microgramma" and it seems not too bad. The thing is also to get the individuel letters cleanly cut out. To stick on the white then the gold can be sprayed. The lines can be 3mm wide self adhesive coachline tape.
i'll see in several weeks when the car is ready for the paint shop.
Alan

When I replaced the "sidewinder" decals on my S3 a few years ago I struggled to get a good font match despite going through plenty of websites.

In the end I took an old photo, blew up the text, imported into Photoshop and basically traced round the text part to form a single graphic. I got someone advertising on Ebay to laser cut them out at the size I needed and it came back perfect as far as I could see. Might be worth trying because there's loads of photos of sprints with decals ?

Brian

[alan.barker]

PAM 501M does that ring a bell.
Maybe Tim our Sprint man has a photo ????
Alan

[JimE]

That's the one Alan.

[512BB]

If I had not been wrapped up doing other things in the 80's, I would not have evaded the lakes, but would have made a bee line to 'The Lotus Invasion of the Lakes', as it was termed. Such a shame no similar event is ever organised these days, would have a big draw, I am sure. That was when Club Lotus was run properly, by a Mr & Mrs A.

Both Mr E and Mr B are a couple of digits out in their memories.

Leslie

[Spyder fan]

Alan,
Tony ("2sheds" on here ) had his Elan Sprint stripes painted on and they look very good



My stripes were made by Adam (PastaPesto on here) and are 2 part vinyl (gold stripe with white lettering applied), after 12 years they still look perfect. They differ from the original sticker stripes that have the lettering printed onto the gold background.



I don't know if there is an official font for the lettering, Adam would know, the closest match I can find on my word processor is "Impact" , but I'm sure it's not totally correct..... close but no cigar as they say.


If your paint shop is really good at graphics, then I would say go for it, but failing that I can highly recommend 2 part vinyl by Adam which you can buy from Sue Miller.

[alan.barker]

Thanks Leslie so PAM 301M noted.
Thanks Alan i'll look at "Impact" font.
My paint man loves doing graphics it's his special thing. He hates stick on decals and i know if i say i will stick on a decal he will be disappointed.
I'm glad i posted this to discuss.
Alan

[alan.barker]

Just looked at font "microgramma extended" and it looks good for the letter "E"
Alan

[The Veg]

Microgramma Extended is what Lotus used for damn near everything from Elan dashboard labels to the Esprit logo from around 1970 to the early '80s.

[alan.barker]

Many thanks Veg,
I thought it was, well done that man.
Cheers
Alan

[alan.barker]

The Stripes will be painted for sure. The join between the Lagoon blue and White will be very near the top line of the gold band. The idea is when the blue and white have been done "stick-on letters + stick-on pin stripes" attached on the white. Gold band sprayed and when the stick-on letters and lines are removed it will expose white underneath.
Then the clear laquer all over the complet car.
If a dog's dinner is made of it then a "stick-on" sidewinder can be stuck over the top and a "cover up" job like Lotus did
Alan

[draenog]

FWIW, I notice there are some supposedly genuine NOS Sprint decals on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364111637590?hash=item54c6beac56:g:MYIAAOSwgqhjw8vG

[alan.barker]

SPRINT STRIPE.PDF

(46.1 KiB) Downloaded 165 times

I've just corrected the "B" dim, it should be 20mm.
I understand the centre line of the "Sidewinder" should be the same as the centre line of the chrome screw holding end of front bumper. I think join line between Blue and White will be 20mm above centre line of "sidewinder". this will leave enough White to stick letters on and Pin Stripe tape. Spray gold line and when Letters unstuck it will reveal white underneath. Then spray all of car with Laquer.
to confirm centre line of "Side winder" same as Centre Line of Screw yes or no please confirm.
Car going to be painted begining April.
Alan