Chassis supplier

[Dieschelan]

Hi

I will put a new chassis to my S3. I have two possibilities:
A original lotus chassis. I think the manufacturer is Gartrac. And is the chassis that sells most supplier. There is also another possibility: Spyder makes a chassis that is identical to the original chassis. Has someone experience with this chassis?


Cheers

Diego

[mikealdren]

Diego,
do a search on this website, there are loads of threads about Spyder chassis. Also have a look at the Spyder website.

[Dieschelan]

I know there are information about the spyder chassis. But Spyder makes two chassis. His own chassis and a copy of the original chassis. I have interest in the last one …

Regards

[elans3]

Also don't forget the TTR chassis'. Purportedly lighter and stronger than the original .

[mikealdren]

I know there are information about the spyder chassis. But Spyder makes two chassis. His own chassis and a copy of the original chassis. I have interest in the last one …

Regards

Yes, I have one of those on one my cars, it's basically a repaired version of Lotus chassis with a revised (and improved) front crossmember which is tubular and much stronger. I'm' not sure whether they sell the chassis separately or just as a refurbishment option, I'm sure they will be able to tell you.

I'm currently building a Zetec car with the Spyder spaceframe chassis, it has many advantages over their 'Lotus chassis'.

Cheers
Mike

[Lotusian]

I have used the Spyder “replica“ Lotus chassis on my +2 and my Elan Sprint.
Spyder call it the “stressed skin” chassis.
These are stronger than the “original“ type chassis sold by the usual suppliers, and they look identical to the “original” type, apart from the ugly towing eye welded to the front crossmember, which Spyder will delete if you wish.
When I bought mine, they were also cheaper than the “original“ type.
I’m totally happy with my choice, and have no connection with Spyder.
Ian

[mikealdren]

Ah, they've changed since mine, on the earlier stressed skin chassis they used to use a substantial tube for the front x-member/vacuum reservoir.

[alanr]

What is the current line of DVLA (UK) thinking re-changing to a non-genuine Lotus replacement chassis? Does anyone know the actual and recent factual position of the DVLA on this?
It would end up being a bit troubling if your car is in danger of ending up on a Q plate sometime in the future I would have thought?
Or is it all just a myth?

Alan.

[Craig Elliott]

It's not officially a 'chassis' it's a sub-frame so I don't think it comes into the UK DVLA's assessment of whether a car has been substantially modified. The chassis and chassis number is the fibreglass body of the car and this is the number that should be used for car registration purposes (ie you should never use any number stamped on the subframe in registering a car).

[Donels]

From my understanding if you tell them you have replaced the chassis they will most likely issue a Q plate. If you tell them you replaced the subframe they will be happy. But why tell them either? The VIN plate has the Unit No. and the Engine No. no reference to a chassis number.

[Lotusian]

Alan
Just my endorsement of what other respondents say:-

I also can see no reason to tell DVLA.
Their records show the VIN, which is Lotus’s “unit number” as shown on the ID plate attached to the body, not a number related to the chassis itself.
It is of course a well-known school of thought promoted by “Club Lotus “ (Club??) that what we usually consider to be the chassis is merely a subframe.
Ian

[alanr]

I am just trying to bottom out this issue of chassis swaps. Personally I do just wonder if some sort of myth or half truth has grown up about this non-genuine chassis issue and my original question was to try and separate if at all possible fact from fiction. Does anyone here know chapter and verse on the current DVLA position on this?

Also I ask...
Does anyone know of or has actually seen a UK registered Elan or Elan+2 on a 'Q' plate?...and if so was it on a Q plate because of dilvulging to DVLA that the chassis had been swapped to a non-genuine one or for some other reason? Does this mythical person to whom this happened to actually exist?

Another question is...What do those of you with Spyder chassis tell your insurance company if they ask if the car has been modified from standard?...Do you tell them it has Spyder chassis?..If so do they load the premium or not? Nowadays on daily driver cars any form of Mod must be divulged or the insurance becomes void. Why are are cars any different because they are older?

My thoughts also are that it is all very well 'not telling anyone' but my view is that in the event of an occurance whatever that may be...Say a serious accident, particularly where someone got seriously injured and the insurance company started digging as they generally do in such circumstances, it wouldn't it would take too long before it came to the attention of DVLA would it!
If in reality, with the passage of time and the cars being now having 'Historical status' the DVLA are now cool with this replacement and upgrade to an improved chassis and from whatever chassis manufacturer then this is not a problem at all is it!

But just to say 'don't tell them' is all very well but what if the question is asked of you?....Are you going to lie?

I just think it would be good to really know exactly where things stand with DVLA currently on this issue.

Alan.

[mikealdren]

I'm pretty sure that we have had people on here who have been caught out by Q plates, we've certainly had enough threads on the subject.

[661]

In the late 80's when I repainted the car ( different colour) and had a Spyder spaceframe chassis put on it, I informed the DVLA.
They said they would issue a Q plate.
I resubmitted the form with just the colour change and I was issued a new V5 with the original plate.
Over the years there has been plenty of 'negotiation' between Club Lotus and the DVLA and the chassis is rightly or wrongly recognised as a sub-frame.
You do not need to notify about a change of subframe.
My insurers are aware of the full details of all changes.
So, the 'don't tell DVLA about chassis changes' has good foundation, not only because it has been shown that you don't need to, but that if you come across some newbie who was not around for the original 'negotiations' then you may stir up a hornets' nest.

[woodie]

For my ten penny's worth, I'm very happy with Spydercars, space sub frame on the plus 2, it should outlast me!