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Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:20 pm
by lookingforthe23
Hallo. I'm new here and apologise for not posting something about the Elan. However, my Dad worked at Lotus on the Elan (that's my justification!).
His 80th birthday is coming up and I'd really love to obtain a copy of the blueprint drawing of the Mark23 2seater sports car launched approx 1962/63. His initials would be on the drawings ie IDJ and he thinks there'd be no complete "general arrangement" drawings for this or other such early cars because - in those days - they went from basic chassis drawing to model to prototype - and the drawings were a composite of the four of them in the drawing office- no one person, generally did an entire drawing and the person who had the most capacity got to do the drawing or the part of the drawing required. In between - them all [larking] (that's not what he called it) about. I'd be really grateful for any advice, links, contacts etc. Sapphire at Classiclotus confirms they don't have that particular drawing of his. They have others, though. Many thanks indeed. :D

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:45 am
by rgh0
I know the 23 chassis drawings available as a friend who is building a replica chassis obtained a copy of them. He has been researching and measuring up a number of 23's here in Australia to complete the required dimensions as the chassis drawing did not show all the required dimensions. I am travelling currently but can contact him next week to find out where he got the drawing from if you need.

cheers
Rohan

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:14 am
by abstamaria
Contact the Lotus 23 Users Group, overseen by Bill Steagall. A Google teach might find them. I am away but should have Bill's address on my office computer. Let me know if you've run into a dead end.

l had a 23 for many years, so thank your father for me. Lovely car.

Andy

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:24 pm
by lookingforthe23
Thank you both so much for responding so quickly and positively :D

I've just emailed Bill and will leave it a few days to see what/if he suggests before asking rgh0 to contact his Australian friend;.but more than happy to hear from anyone for other ideas/suggestions on the Lotus 23 - and any other blueprints/drawings which have IDJ's initials in the bottom corners of the pages - for any of the other models.
I was about 6 yrs when I "helped" my Dad do some drawing "work" on one of the cars' prints on a Saturday morning's overtime in the office at Cheshunt. The blue print machine was close to his desk - and we had the clay scale model of the Europa in our home front room for ages.
Many thanks again to you both. :)

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:04 pm
by Coupe
I would have thought Clive Chapman at Classic Team lotus may have copies of drawings. When I have visited Classic Team Lotus at Hethel I have looked at some of the original drawings drawings for the F1 cars.
Ben

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:52 pm
by Jentwistle3
"and we had the clay scale model of the Europa in our home front room for ages. "
Wow, what happened to that?

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:24 pm
by englishmaninwales
I think Coupe is on the money, make contact with Clive Chapman at CTL. They have loads of the original drawings, not just F1 either.

Re: Looking for the 23

PostPosted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:41 am
by archigator
RD Enterprises has a nice t-shirt with the 23B - http://www.rdent.com

You might also want to join the Yahoo Groups Lotus 23 Registry site, which is chock full of 23 owners that are always rebuilding/restoring their cars. I'm sure they have access to copies of the original drawings. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/L23Registry/photos/photostream

You have to request access to that group, but I'm sure they'll love your story and be eager to help.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida