Lotus restoration

[JimE]

Thank god you didn't write it off. Lotus didn't make that many Plus Twos to begin with and its rare to see them on the road. The looks I get when I'm out in mine. You'll be as pleased as punch when you get it back on the road.

[Chris5360]

Yeah they were trying to take it away from me from day 1, I told them straight whatever happens ( unless for some reason it ended up cat a or b) they weren't having it and I was keeping it. ! oh the looks I'd get driving her even not in tip top shape were great,I've had people pull over out side my work just to chat about it, and on the day of the accident I got fuel and three people went out of there way to walk up to me and tell me what a lovely car !

[elanfan1]

I suspect you might be lucky and everything will be OK but it might be worth getting the chassis and alignment etc checked to make sure everything is still straight.

[Chris5360]

I had it checked thouroughly when I took it to an independent for the insurance repair quote( that the insurance didn't seam to care about !) the chassis is all good, but will need a new rear wishbone, all lucky really.
I am suprised they wrote it off, they said at one point if I get my own garage quote the chances are they would send me the cheque and I then pay that to the garage, I emailed 12 differant classic repair and lotus repair specialist ( including the well known ones we use for spares I won't say any names ) and only one garage even bothered to return a reply! Luckily it was my number one choice as they do specialise not only In classic restoration, but also fibre glass repair

[Chris5360]

In a way although is not ideal, but the cars last resto was starting to wear a bit thin, so all this put me I. The mind that I would take it off the road and do everything needed to make it a1before it went too far and became a very expensive resto

[Chris5360]

So been busy sanding down the old paint,getting a good key for the new paint and reviewing in perfections , the big task was always going to be blending the rear wing in but it's getting there, if I get some good time on it next week I may be ready for primer the week after

[Chris5360]

[mikealdren]

Cat D becomes an interesting concept with older cars. Some of our cars here have had far more extensive restorations than many cat D cars.

With a unitary construction car, a serious shunt may be important With Elans it's rather different - both my cars have new chassis and suspension and have had several body repairs over the years.

Mike

[Chris5360]

Well I figure if I ever go to sell, I have detailed photos of the damage and repair, as for day today use no one would ever know,
All I know is I can't wait to get it back on the road and out in the coming sunshine

[Chris5360]

Well not too much to report back at the moment, still working on her almost daily, but lots of filling, sanding, filling sanding, trying to get a nice base to put the primer on, then no doubt it will be all the same again till I'm happy for the top coat!
On a plus note though chrome will be back this week so might have some shiny pics to show

[Chris5360]

Ok chrome is back from ray at chrome world in Essex, never had anything chromed before and I have to say sooo glad I went to the cost, it looks amazing I've taken a photo of the door frame as I don't want to unwrap everything yet, but the frames were the worst scratches like mad chipped pitted you name it, but they have come back smooth and looking like mirrors well happy, just need to get this paint on now but it's made me even more worried about the prep as I need to make it so perfect to match the chrome

[Chris5360]

Haven't had chance to look at it properly yet but the interior fan didn't work when I got it, but also I noticed the fins seam to be a bit battered are they easy to get hold of, or is there any mods that people do ?

[lotusnut]

good work Chris, will look great when finished. I'm slowly putting mine back together, I had the paintwork done by An ex work colleague, looks great. Good luck with your preparation.

[Chris5360]

Thank you really hope I can do all the new bits justice, hoping to have her back in the road end of April if all goes well, most of the boring prep is out the way, got her up on standstoday to access the under body parts

[elan66]

Hi Chris
please don't mind me asking but was the re-chroming reasonable money?
I am based in your area and would love to have a look at your project if you didn't mind,glad to help if you need lift etc.
regards
Paul