Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I would like to get my car MOT'd very soon as my wife is due to have our first baby on the 11th November and it would be good to get one drive in before my life is irrecoverably changed and I might get five minutes a year to work on the car. I live in Saltdean (Brighton), East Sussex. Can anyone recommend an MOT centre near Brighton that is au fait with Elans?

I took the car for it's longest drive since the day I bought it yesterday, about 10 minutes in total. It was great but highlighted a few more issues. Every time I fix something something else seems to stop working, I can't keep up with the reapairs and I just want to get the thing taxed and on the road again. Now the headlights aren't popping up, I can't even pull the stalk out. The driver's side window doesn't move and the braking effort is non existent. My bonnet is only just clearing the engine and is probably way too close still (really can't understand why when I haven't fitted new mounts) and I noticed some oil leaking around the oil filler cap (could have been from here or the cam cover gasket, overfilling maybe?). I adjusted the handbrake but still don't know whether it is up to muster and I fixed the horn on the electric/horn push side but the sound is awful and disharmonious like only one horn is working.

What I really need is an Elan expert to look at the car and tell me everything that's wrong with it and what I need to do to fix it. I have some money now (not for long I hear you say?) and would be willing to pay a clued up owner/enthusiast for their time. Help!

Steve, seems like with a new baby options are:-

1/ Long term storage

2/ Sell the car.

but then you didn't need a Lotus forumisti to tell you that.

Regards

My wife's last go in my old Elan Sprint was when she was 8.5 months gone with our twins (who are now 10 years old) and she swears i was trying to hit every pothole and drain cover! (I might have been - patience has never been a strong point).

DON'T sell the car you will regret it. Yes you will have less time to play but hopefully someone local to you will come along with an offer to help out.

Good Luck

Steve

If you want professional assistance Miles Wilkins isn't far from you (Fibreglass Services). If he hasn't seen the car before he might want to go thru it with a fine toothcomb (??) but if you are very specific & explain what you want then he can service it & get it MOTd for you.

Regards
Richard

'72 Sprint

Hi and congrats on the new arrival.

My car has been off the road since my eldest was born, she is now coming up 4 and I expect to get it a fresh MOT for the Spring.
Don't sell the car, as the kids get older you will get more time and I have told the wife that the cars are for when the kids are old enough to drive; they will have the coolest of cars (and it keeps the wife happy).

Long term storage is the sensible option as the cars are still gaining in value and kids are great and will give you something to do with them as they get older.

Hope you enjoy being a daddy as much as I do.

Jason

If your still looking for a local and good MOT station,then try Miles Wilkins in Arundel,

Paul

I took the car for it's longest drive since the day I bought it yesterday, about 10 minutes in total

That is the problem - if you don't use it - just like any piece of machinery - it WILL play up.

Play with it or store it and be prepared for endless "fun" when you re-commission it!

You have no idea how aircraft dislike being left unused for even quite short periods of time. Put it away fully serviceable and when you wheel it out again it has a hissy fit!

Don't grow old too quickly.........

Hi

Hope all goes well with the new family addition ----- U will need a plus 2 then

It occurred to me that in the Sussex area you are quite close to Caterham Car Sales who make the Caterham 7 based upon the Lotus 7. It may be that they have a few contact names of local MOT centres that "understand the needs of a Lotus /kit car enthusiast" Mick at Redline Components in Caterham village handle spares / servicing for the classic Lotus 7 and he knows Miles Wilkins ( I think) and he may be able to point you towards a good MOT centre close 2U.

best of lcuk with car and family

Bob