Ant Anstead

[JonB]

I just watched it on discovery+ streaming app.

Honestly, I don’t get it. Isn’t he supposed to be a mechanic? Sent the car off for paint without taking the body off the shell? He spent 10k for a rebuilt engine but didn’t put the Big Valve head back on. He should have pulled it from auction and done the rebuild. Much cheaper. Rev counter bouncing all over the place, vacuum system not fixed. Terrible. On the other hand, I noticed quite a few parts refurbished but not mentioned, for example the brake servo.

There’s a moral to this tale… flipping classics only works in a strong market. £14k obviously the right price. Hope the new owner got the head.

[Peter +2]

Many thanks, unfortunately I do not have access to the Discovery Channel.

Thanks

Peter

[JonB]

It’s not a channel. It’s a streaming app and you can register for free and watch the programme, also for free.

https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/video/ ... ur-of-love

But I suppose you shouldn’t bother. I only watched it to see what everyone else was talking about..

[Peter +2]

Many thanks, signed up and watching,

Cheers

Peter

[bjw]

The car was sold through Classic Car Auctions in September:-

https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1973-lotus-elan-recc32303-3-stoneleigh-0924?cca=true

In the condition report (and presumably the catalogue):-

The timing chain was replaced and engine fitted with a new head gasket. During this process it was noted it had been previously gas flowed to a high standard, meaning it picks up revs even more eagerly.

But in the saleroom notice (i.e. a late update):-

The car is required for filming and will be collected by ITN. A new engine will be fitted post-sale.

So the whole 'find and fit a new engine in the 48hrs before the auction' was, as suspected, totally fictitious... It might also explain the sale price.

I know it's 'only telly' but...

Cheers

[Phil.C60]

Which makes it even more ridiculous that they didn't rebuild the original engine. They obviously didn't film it properly at the auction either, because the front ride height would have been rather high as they had already removed the damaged engine - or had they? Perhaps they just left it as a non runner, and all the inspection work was carried out afterwards. Who knows.
What it adds up to is a totally inaccurate representation of the process/facts which does not surprise me at all!

[JonB]

It seems that all "car restoration" shows edit the real stuuf we're interested in, and make things up for dramatic effect. I suspect that anyone who has actually done a restoration for real will realise this. Documenting a full restoration just doesn't make for entertaining TV. You'd need a whole series to cover it properly. I mean, think how boring it would be... devoting a whole episode to removing a single siezed bolt, for example...

[mikealdren]

and the engine they fitted probably wasn't an S130, it certainly had an earlier cam cover.

Nice new colour though!

[jeff jackson]

Another thing that bothered me about this show was the wheels.
I took mine to my local wheel refurbishers. They did an awesome job on mine and my wifes alloy wheels.
I asked if they could diamond cut the elan wheels and they said its not possible to do. So I thought oh well fifty odd year old alloys what do you expect.
Then Ant says he had the alloys diamond cut. I wonder where that happened.
Anyone on here had alloys restored? Diamond cut?

[JonB]

Yes. When I bought my previous Plus 2 S130/5, the PO had had the wheels restored. They'd been diamond cut and looked stunning. I'd suggest finding another wheel restorer.

[alanr]

Diamond Cut.......It depends on how many times they have been diamond cut before. It is only possible for an alloy wheel to be diamond cut restored a couple of times, three times at most. Taking slices of material off the rim edge is the problem.

Alan.

[jeff jackson]

I have owned my Plus 2 for 30 years, and the PO before me had it 18. I have never touched the wheels aside from a bit of black paint, I',m certain the PO never touched them either.
Perhaps I will take the advice and look for another wheel restorer.
Thanks for all the replies.