Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello,

My name is Markus Petter from the Neterlands.
I have had a classic Lancia garage in the past.

I bought an Elan s1 1600 sprint f1963 rom a friend, origional Dutch registration, body is not bad and without damage.
Far from complete, but with some new 26R parts, so I think the only thing I can do is build a 26R out of it ?! what you think of that ?

Which parts of an S1 are not available/find ?
Is it true that the door locks are from an Austin Cambridge ? I miss these, among other door trim parts, is there an alternative ?

O.K I'm going to build my chassis first.

Thanks in advance
Markus Petter

Hi & welcome Markus. Looks a good project. Just one thing, there is no S1 "Sprint", (only ever on S4's. )
It may be at some point in the past, your car was painted to look like a Sprint, but that would be all.
Your car would be worth much more rebuilt to a standard spec.Especially as it's an early car. Much as I love the 26R "look", if you 're building it to a proper 26R spec, you'd A). Spend a lot more, and B), you're hugely narrowing the market for prospective buyers if you ever want to sell it.
Tell us what specific 26R features it already has, and we'll be able to further advise.

Agreed, the S1 or even S2 are rare. I wouldnt mess with one, simply do my best to make it fun which I dont think is really that different for the few pounds of weight savings.

Welcome Markus.

I have a S2 Elan which my son and I have restored. I would like to think I know the cars reasonably well, but that said, on this forum there is a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience which the contributors are happy to share.

In my humble opinion, the type 26 Elan (S1 and S2) is the Elan, as it's designer Ron Hickman intended it. It's a thoroughbred of a sports car. Some Elan owners try and build a car that suits their needs - a GT or a semi track car. If the value of your car is of concern, then standard unmodified cars will always be worth more, however if you plan on tracking the car, then modifications will be needed.

Do you have much experience of Elans? It might be an idea to drive a standard well sorted car and see if you like it. It you're ever in the UK, you'd be welcome to test drive my car.

If you do decide to restore the car to road going specification, I think, just about everything is available or eventually it will come up on eBay.

If built properly an Elan is a rewarding and reliable car.

I hope you enjoy the journey

Welcome Markus!

Thanks for the input and welcome.

I can tell you all about Lancia Aurelia's, Dilambda's, Flamina's, Fulvia's, Flavia's and Beta's but to own an Elan is new for me.
I have a friend (engine overhaul company) who has an Elite, and 4 Elan's.

I decided to try to build this 1963 Elan original, hope I can find all hard to find parts.
Are the doorlock's the same from a Austin Cambridge ?
Yesterday I already found an S1 steering wheel in Germany, this guy also has an S1 body + chassis for sale, without papers, maybe I can build a race Elan from this ?!

'll keep you informed.
Have a nice day/evening

Markus

Markus, is this the part to which you're referring?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164912667164?h ... SwnKtgx3x3

Yes i think it is ?!
Thanks

S1 Elans had a different types of wheel depending when they were produced.

This company makes excellent quality replicas -

https://jacobengineering.co.uk/index.ph ... -wheels-2/

Scroll down till you reach the Elan section

Hi all,

Here's a little update, from my S1 Elan.
I haven't been able to do ferry much, had my wheels water blasted, strange welded holes appeared (3x) 1 rim weighs 4,2 kilos ! magnesium ?
I am also cleaning the galvanized chassis, want to make it in the original red/brown color, color number known to anyone ?

Until next time.

Greeting,

Markus

Hello Markus,

a quick'n easy way to find out if your rim is pure magnesium would be to file a tiny amount of fine powder out of somewhere hidden (e.g. foms foundry flash) and see if it burns... it could also be a Al/Mg alloy... in these cases you may want to protect them from oxydation (clear coat, there are some special ones for Mg alloys, or paint...). Weight alone to find out you would need to compare with other rims (esp. speficy the width).

As for painting a galvanized chassis, the topic has been addressed on the forum a few times, you may want to check it out esp. regarding the preparation for proper adhesion, e.g. https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=38304

Original color for an early car was often called "red oxide" (a paint containing lead, which would not be still available).

markuspetter wrote:Yes i think it is ?!
Thanks

Welcome!

It's possible the front doors locks are the same pattern but locking. I'll ask a friend who has an A60 model.

Rare parts include outside door handles, boot hinges and interior crash pads (above the dashboard). Many trim parts can be fabricated easily on the type 26 cars.

Original mechanical parts which changed so may be difficult to source were front brake calipers and all drive shaft flange hole spacings which include gearbox output, all differential flanges, rear brake discs and coupling shafts.

What is your chassis number (engraved on the metal plate in the engine bay near the voltage regulator)?

Dave Hughes, Bigvalvehead on this forum seems to be able to find the door locks fir S1 and 2’s, and all the trim parts are available from TTR or Kelvedon in alloy rather than brass. They can be polished or chrome plated as per original handles.
Dash pad is the hardest item, I’m about to use some surfboard foam to shape basic pad then cover with seat foam which come in various densities and can be shaped then covered.
Your wheels look like knock on wheels which suggests the hubs have been upgraded as all early S1 Elans had bolt on wheels.
Original seat frames are now being remade and on eBay these do come up.
Famous Frank also on this forum has Re manufactured a range of interior trims as well.
Always put a wanted message on the forum as there are many members who have spares as well.
Enjoy the Elan experience, I used a Fulvia Zagato as my daily driver in UK for 5 years in mid/late 80’s and they are fabulous cars as well and beautifully engineered, the difference is how responsive the Elan is.
Cheers
Vaughan

Welcome Markus.
Austin Cambridge are what I searched for when looking for door locks.
They do come up on ebay. But, there are 2 lengths and the long button ones don't fit. I wrote about it on a thread on here a couple of years ago.

I found a box of locks 20km from where I live, for a bottle of wine.
I also copied a chair frame from a chair of a friend of mine. I quickly made these out of pVC tube, so that I have the measurements and can weld it together later with iron tube.

With my Elan I do indeed have the nock on hubs and this wheels. But what do you think of the welded hols in the wheels ? seen this before ? find it strange that there are 3 holes.

Does anyone know the Lotus 18 junior at David Rose ?

Thanks
Kind regards from the Netherlands
Markus