Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I met a company in Switzerland last year who made very smart sockets which fit on a standard torque wrench for tightening (and removing) wheel spinners and nuts. They have just contacted me again to say that they now have one tailored for the Elan three eared spinners. I know that spinners are getting expensive and that owners don't always like hitting them with hammers (lead, nylon, leather or otherwise).

These 'sockets' are going to sell for around ?170 which sounds like a lot to me.

Would people be willing to spend this amount on a socket to avoid damaging their spinners? Perhaps if we can get enough interest I can ask for a discount? I am interested myself but feel that ?170 is a bit expensive (even by Swiss standards). As soon as I get more information I will post it up here (hopefully along with a photo).

I guess I just wanted owners opinions as to whether anybody would be interested?

Thanks

Carl

You might look at the spanner/wrech currently offered by www.rdent.com. It has leather cushions on the contact surfaces. I have an earlier version that doesn't have the leather, so the knock-off ears get bitten.
Paul Garrett

What about Sarto's offering (see the Business and Vendors Listing). I think he supplies R Dent?

Regards,
Stuart.

Sarto's one is certainly a lot cheaper.
As soon as I get a photo of the Swiss one I will post it.

Carl

Hi Paul,

Had a look at the link you sent. Some parts in the US seem a lot more expensive that parts over here... As Elan owners can't we get together and arrange some way to ship bits across the pond to each other.?

Carl

This is a hot topic for me at the moment. I have just completed a design for a spinner removal tool with a friend. We are selling the device for ?95 +P&P. We have a web site under development so the e-mail links on the link below don't work at the moment. If anyone would like further details please send me a PM.

Cheers,

Ian

http://domain1255214.sites.fasthosts.com/.

Had been thinking of getting one of Sarto's creations anyway, so when I saw this post it galvanised me to enquire further.

I responded to the original post and then emailed Sarto about a 'group' buy.

He will ship 10+ units for $98 + $7 shipping, each. Units would be shipped to a central point, so add further postage on to individual UK/European locations.

Anybody interested?

Regards,
Stuart.

Carl,

Have you any info on the Swiss company .... website etc?

As regards the disproportionate costs of UK versus USA supplied parts
.......... well I for one have never worked out why our excellent UK based suppliers haven't pushed the USA market !!!

Beggars belief to me ....... unless there's a hidden import duty, or something similar.

Regards,
Stuart.

Perhaps we should be selling these in Switzerland....

Website is http://www.britishintercars.ch/

Carl,

You're only round the corner from me.

How about a little import/export business ?

Know anything about VAT / Purchase tax issues ?

Regards,
Stuart.

OTOH...... are there many Swiss Elan drivers ............. ?

Stuart,

Sounds good. Where are you? I live near St. Neots.

This I the event I drove down to near Geneva: http://www.british-cars.ch/

It also coincides with the Classic Transport Expo in Geneva the same weekend.
http://www.geneva-classics.ch/en/

I can't recommend it enough. There are some photos on my website www.lotuselan.co.uk. It's a just turn up even so no entry fees or anything..

One thing about classic cars in Switzerland... The Swiss can afford to spend money on their classics. All the classics I saw were immaculate...

I plan to go aqain this year if anybody want to make a 'convoy'?

I'm near Cambridge, so not far.
Will look at your links a little later.

As regards the Import/Export opportunity and Sarto's tool
......... it looks a little too well engineered, for my liking.

We need to create some "repeat business".

I think we would have to bring them into the country, and
"repackage /rebadge" (aka ...sabotage) them before shipping them on to end-users.

In this way, we can ensure that they will have to be replaced/returned and refurbished within a reasonable timescale (say 12-18 months).

Surely this would be in the best Lotus tradition?

(Bugger, forgot to tell Sarto that they're too heavy. Need to save on all-up weight, as well as air-freight).

VBG.

Regards,
Stuart.

I disagree, in 'true Lotus tradition' we would just use something off another car (ideally mass produced) and put it in a nice box (or plastic bag) with a logo....and charge accordingly..

Perhaps we can ask Sarto to send them over in kit form, then we could say 'Made in England'....

Much better idea.

Pity (spelt correctly, this time) that the 'kit' idea won't get around the VAT problem.

Maybe we just go the whole hog, and import Sarto, while we're at it.
(or buy out the European copywright from him).

Regards,
Stuart.

Hi Stuart
Put me down for one please

Regards

Adam