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Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 10:29 am
by pierluigipd
Hi everyone, and first of all sorry for my english... I'm Pierluigi and I live in Padova(near Venice) I used to have a lotus elise s2 until 2010, then sold it. But finally I'm back in a Lotus.
I have just bought a lotus elan s4 se 1971, the car was in germany until 2006 old plate was FS-PU60H, then arrived in Italy and changed 2 owners.
Need some fixing here and there so I need some help from the expert.


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The interior is not original, so I have to make it as it was, can you send me some pic of a good original interior so i can fix it?
The engine (I will take a picture of it Tomorrow) has been rebuild, 500 km ago(spent 5000 euro) then the car was for 5 year in a garage but is working and seem like a good work has been done on it.
The petrol level meter is not working and also the rev meter.

The body has some cracking but I'll wait until lotus send me the certificate of proveanance to check the original color.
The old tires has been produced in 2004 so I have to chnge them also if they look new...I can use tires 165/70/13 but don't know wich tipe to buy, can you suggest me something?
I hope the weather will be fine Tomorrow and sunday 'cause I want to use my little car!!! :D :D :D

The car number is 7002050052g maybe someone can tell me more about my car.
Pierluigi

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 11:31 am
by trw99
Hi Pierluigi and welcome.

Your Elan left the production line in February 1970 as a Series 4 SE DHC. It would have been a single colour, not as currently painted. The G suffix at the end of your VIN indicates it was made for the Domestic UK market. It would therefore appear that at some stage a PO has converted the car to LHD.

As you point out the interior is non standard. In the first instance I recommend you contact Susan Miller (http://www.mickmillerlotus.com/intro.html), obtain a copy of her latest parts listing and buy what you need. If she does not have a part she will usually be able to tell you where you might find it.

In addition you should buy the Lotus Elan Workshop Manual and the Parts List, as well as Brian Buckland's book. They will all point you in the right direction.

Below is a Lotus press photo of the interior of an early S4.

Tim

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:09 pm
by Mazzini
Welcome!!!

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:16 pm
by el-saturn
benvenuto pierluigi - sono quello piu vicino di te (4h di guidare!) io importo vini ? alimenti italiane in svizzera. WELCOME TO THE GANG!! maybe i can or will help sometime. sandy 36/74982

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:42 pm
by pierluigipd
[quote="trw99"]Hi Pierluigi and welcome.

Your Elan left the production line in February 1970 as a Series 4 SE DHC. It would have been a single colour, not as currently painted. The G suffix at the end of your VIN indicates it was made for the Domestic UK market. It would therefore appear that at some stage a PO has converted the car to LHD.

In addition you should buy the Lotus Elan Workshop Manual and the Parts List, as well as Brian Buckland's book. They will all point you in the right direction.

Thank you, I was quite sure about the lhd-rhd change and you confirmed it... I am not happy about that.
Can you tell me where I can find Brian Buckland's book? I can't find it on amazon.
II think I'll make new interior hand made in leather from an artisan that has already worked on my elise and I was really happy. The style will be ther original one but with very good material and craftsmanship.
I have to wait for the original painting but I don't want a fake sprint so no stripes.
Can anyone help me with the tires? witch tipe you suggest?
I've seen the Yoko advan 048 in 175/60/13 do you think the'll fit?

Another question: anyone can post a video on how to open the soft top? I'm not able to do it.

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 2:23 pm
by gherlt
>I am not happy about that.
You would not have bought it if it was RHD ... so why complicate life ?
Mine is the same, was RHD FHC, is now LHD DHC.
I will at some point change back to FHC, but will keep LHD.
As RHD it would be more original, but then I would not like to drive it in the same way.

>Can you tell me where I can find Brian Buckland's book? I can't find it on amazon
Club Lotus seems to be the fastest way, but be fast, in the last Club Lotus magazine they stated they are not many left.

>interior hand made in leather from an artisan
If you do that, that would not be original either ...
Buy yourself a correct steering wheel (even without Chapman signature), and maybe a new correct dashboard, and a center console. Not too costly. Other things might be less important. The pleasure of the car is driving it !
Like the Elise, it is all about how it drives and behaves.

Open Soft top:
If you have problems (soft top to much tension)?, the safe way:
Start on one side, from B post and open clips from there to the back side
Then from the other side B post to the back side.
Then it will be free from the back, and no tension in the top.
The you open front clip on the A-Post, each side.
Then you can pull the soft top from the upper side of the front window frame to the front of the car (you need to get it out of the slot, about 3cm deep), then it is nearly free.
There are two clips which hold the soft top to the soft top frame. That's it.

No the best explanation in English for sure ....

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 5:57 pm
by Europatc
Welcome Pierluigi, nice looking car, all the best with the work you propose undertaking
Stuart

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:10 pm
by trw99
Hood & Tonneau instructions from the Workshop Manual. The diagram should be reduced and stuck in the centre of the hood tray for originality.

By the way Pierluigi, don't forget to paint your wheels silver for originality.

Tim

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:36 pm
by Edo91
C'ho sbavato sopra per i due giorni nei quali ? stata inserzionata, complimenti per l'acquisto!
Se capito dalle tue parti ti farei visita volentieri.
Ciao!

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 7:02 pm
by pereirac
Welcome to the club!!

Club Lotus sell Brian's book or you can contact him on the forum. He goes under the name of "Elanman"

If you are going to change the dashboard yourself I can definitely recommend buying a tape labelling machine to help remember which wire goes where.. :D

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Carl

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:27 am
by pierluigipd
First of all thank to TRW99! Yesterday in Italy was sunny and I removed the top... Now I'm even more in love with the Elan!
Gherlt you're right,is my Elan and I will make it mine it doesn't matter how was in 1971...
So: the engine is running fine and it needs only a carburetor tuning. I have to buy new tires, any suggestion?
Reading the VIN plate under the bonnet I see that "Type 45" is stamped what does it mean?

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Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:48 am
by ericbushby
Type 45 means it was built as a convertible or `Drop head coupe`
Type 36 was a Fixed head coupe, although quite a lot have been changed to Drop head models since.
So yours is original and has not had it`s roof cut off.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE Type 45

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:15 am
by pierluigipd
the only place where I can find The Rebuilding of a Lotus Elan By Brian Buckland is on amazon uk but it cost 110 Pound or 160 Euro... is it the correct price? :oops:
in lotus club look like they have finished the book.

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 1:08 pm
by trw99
It looks like the colour code in the bottom right hand corner of the VIN reads LO1, which is British Racing Green. That colour was phased out of production in October 1970.

The fact that your VIN does not have the engine number scratched in may well indicate that it was first sold in component form. (Missing engine numbers from VINs meaning component form is a rule of thumb, not a given!).

Tim

Re: Hi From Pierluigi

PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 1:14 pm
by pierluigipd
trw99 wrote:It looks like the colour code in the bottom right hand corner of the VIN reads LO1, which is British Racing Green. That colour was phased out of production in October 1970.

The fact that your VIN does not have the engine number scratched in may well indicate that it was first sold in component form. (Missing engine numbers from VINs meaning component form is a rule of thumb, not a given!).

Tim


I like BRG maybe I'll make it green again!

If I have to look for the engine number can i find it somewhere? except the vin plate?