Lotus Elan

Finally built myself a chassis.

PostPost by: reb53 » Mon May 02, 2016 6:37 am

Those with long memories may remember this thread that was here a few years ago,

lotus-elan-f19/elan-frame-scale-model-handmade-t28880.html

I stuck my hand up and said I'd have a go at making a model chassis with the provisos that I wasn't stealing someone elses idea, and that I'd find the time.
I managed to find the time between reviving cuckoo clocks, and kicking antique grandfather clocks back into life.

I can understand why Gonzalo didn't start firing them out, it was time consuming to put it mildly.
Especially as I thought polished brass was the way to go, which meant attempting to remove the the worst of the inevitable scratches/marks that come about when you bend polished metal, or hit it with, ( small...), hammers.
Also, the entire thing is joined with solder, and, as I didn't want to see any of it, a lot of thought and care went into the soldering.
It's been polished with a museum wax, and under the perspex cover I bent up I expect it'll stay reasonably shiny for a while, ( well, longer than the original anyway....... :) ).

Ralph.
Attachments
dscn0021.jpg and
dscn0031.jpg and
dscn0009-2.jpg and
dscn0004.jpg and
dscn0015.jpg and
dscn0023.jpg and
dscn0008.jpg and
dscn0006.jpg and
reb53
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 763
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Location: Napier New Zealand.

PostPost by: vernon.taylor » Mon May 02, 2016 6:53 am

Amazing work/skills - and beautiful.
User avatar
vernon.taylor
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 683
Joined: 05 Nov 2010
Location: Vaugneray, France

PostPost by: Lyn7 » Mon May 02, 2016 7:43 am

That is indeed a beautiful piece of work. A joy to behold, well done. :D
Lyn7
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 115
Joined: 11 Jan 2010

PostPost by: ken ob » Mon May 02, 2016 11:07 am

That looks really good
Slightly confused by everything since the invention of the wheel.
ken ob
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 164
Joined: 13 Nov 2010
Location: Wirral England

PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Mon May 02, 2016 11:49 am

Ditto,could you do a full size one for my Plus2 ??

John :wink:
User avatar
john.p.clegg
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 4535
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Location: Manchester

PostPost by: Certified Lotus » Mon May 02, 2016 11:53 am

Extremely well done! Any interest in building another one on commission?
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
User avatar
Certified Lotus
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1076
Joined: 04 Aug 2014
Location: Blairsville, GA

PostPost by: S3DHC » Mon May 02, 2016 1:28 pm

Ralph that's a great piece of craftsmanship
Build a batch, you will sell every one.
S3 DHC
1967 Elan
45/7047
S3DHC
First Gear
First Gear
 
Posts: 15
Joined: 26 Dec 2014
Location: England

PostPost by: Mazzini » Mon May 02, 2016 6:11 pm

Superb job!
User avatar
Mazzini
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: 11 Dec 2010
Location: NE UK

PostPost by: ken ob » Mon May 02, 2016 6:12 pm

I would love to buy one if you make any more.

Ken
Slightly confused by everything since the invention of the wheel.
ken ob
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 164
Joined: 13 Nov 2010
Location: Wirral England

PostPost by: lotusS2guy » Mon May 02, 2016 6:20 pm

Save some time. 3D scan it then 3D print it. The original model is lovely and will scan beautifully.
Herb
26/4618
User avatar
lotusS2guy
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 99
Joined: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Orange County, CA

PostPost by: bulfin » Mon May 02, 2016 7:37 pm

Very nice work!

Bob
Bob Bulfin
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
bulfin
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 93
Joined: 23 May 2012
Location: Mobile, AL USA

PostPost by: seniorchristo » Mon May 02, 2016 11:38 pm

I'm quite impressed! :)
67 Elan Super Safety
67 Elan +2
seniorchristo
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 590
Joined: 19 Dec 2013
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

PostPost by: reb53 » Tue May 03, 2016 12:53 am

Thank you for your kind words.

lotusS2guy wrote:Save some time. 3D scan it then 3D print it. The original model is lovely and will scan beautifully.


I consulted an expert, ( my son ), about this.
He's had considerable experience in titanium/stainless/plastic 3D scanning and printing.
In essence, laser sintered plastic wouldn't be too bad, but would look "plasticy" and still cost several hundred dollars.
Printing in metal would be "crap, rough, hard to support everything, and look nothing like yours".
You would also design it in CAD, rather than scan, as you'd get a better finish.

As to making a batch, I don't think economies of scale would get much of a look in here.
Unless I geared up to make thousands, ( and the market isn't that big ! ), it's still a slow and time consuming business fitting lots of handmade bent parts together. Especially as thin polished brass is unforgiving of rough work. Also, try and spot the solder, quite proud of that !

I could do a few more but they wouldn't be super cheap because of the time involved, ( not to mention the $10 worth of brass... :) ).
I'd guesstimate that there's about 70 hours in it, and my normal return on my antique clock repair is US$50/hr.
When you do the numbers......ouch....that wouldn't fly.
Less than half that, say US$1500, then I'd be tempted.

Ralph.
reb53
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 763
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Location: Napier New Zealand.

PostPost by: Certified Lotus » Tue May 03, 2016 1:15 am

PM sent.
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
User avatar
Certified Lotus
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1076
Joined: 04 Aug 2014
Location: Blairsville, GA

PostPost by: SENC » Tue May 03, 2016 1:33 am

Very nice, Ralph!
Henry
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
SENC
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1021
Joined: 30 Dec 2015
Location: NC
Next

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests