ELAN PLUS 2S130 Restoration, Before and After

[mjbeanie]

Thanks for your message Veg!. The pods are what really needed a lot of attention. Specifically the pod I had removed and added back in later, was very stubborn. It rubbed on the car body when the headlights were raised after it was reinstalled. Also the transverse bracket had to work in synch with both pods. The pods had some mounting wear and tear, that had to be dealt with, with worn attachment points/ fittings. Spacers/washers were also needed to make it all work well.

Are you gonna help me get this headliner in next? I am gonna pm you when I start..lol

[The Veg]

Ah OK. Problems with the pods would definitely make things more difficult! Glad you got them sorted.

Re: headlining, yes- check your PMs.

[ill_will]

Great work Mike, looks amazing!

[mjbeanie]

Thanks all for your comments, support and encouragement. -Will update this post with the headliner, and windscreen installation in the coming weeks!

[mjbeanie]

Doing my best with the headliner. More arts and crafts work. Its coming along. My technique may not be the best but its seems to be getting there. Its all on the job training. Still many wrinkles, and some stains, to remove. Much more effort needed to make it right. But its a start! My benchmark is set at "better than it was." So I've met my goal. Working with contact cement is "sticky business." Final photos will be posted this week. The forward and rear windscreen glass goes in on Thursday Mar. 21. (The glass install is the only job I've outsourced)

[The Veg]

Be sure to take good pics of those markings on the underside of the roof. Not for any practical reason except to know what's there, as those little glimpses into your car's past can be interesting.

[mjbeanie]

As mentioned, the window glass installer guys visited yesterday to do the forward and rear windscreen installation. Good bunch of guys. They seemed very knowledgeable during our pre-game brainstorming session, that we had a few weeks ago. We did a dry run and reviewed the installation parts I had purchased from SJS Sportscars. Installation was completed yesterday, however we had some setbacks. The new front window trim molding I bought did not fit well. So we are trying to source a local substitute.

Installing the rear windscreen was difficult, and a royal pain in the glass. The expansion strip put up a real good fight, but in the end it was done. Photos are attached.

[mjbeanie]

Today the front windscreen was installed professionally. The trim I had ordered from SJS sportscars did not work well for us for some reason. However, the windshield guys found a great substitute. While somewhat thinner in the width, you could turn a corner and use one single piece. It looks very clever, and there is no need for the corner adapter pieces to cover up any sins. Very pleased with this effort and the resourcefulness of the installers.

[alanr]

Hi,
Windscreen looks good!
Difficult to see from the photo but have your screen fitters still bonded the screen in as was original on a late +2 S130?
Or have they fitted it with used a rubber seal alternative?...In which case I wonder what profile rubber seal they used due to the lack of a high edge for a seal to fit along the bottom edge on the S130? From the photo it doesn't look very wide.

Alan

[mjbeanie]

Hi Alan,

I'll explain it as best as I can as I am not a windshield guy. The 17mm molding strip was bonded using their own "pro-adhesive" from a large caulking gun with a bead placed around the perimeter. (once the strip was installed on the glass.) The strip and window opening were both primed using a bottle black fluid of some kind.
The molding strip had the decorative "silver strip" as part of the strip. That silver strip is not an insert of any kind. (It is also "silver metallic" in appearance, not chrome-like)

The trim and window assembly were placed into the opening as a unit and allowed to cure. This arrangement shows less trim molding and more car body-which I actually really like. It is not a technically accurate representative of the original. But It was an easy install, took less than 1 hour in total, it's very secure, and I think it looks pretty good...I really like how it handled those awkward lower corners.

[alanr]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the explanation. Interesting...
I have not seen a late +2S130 windscreen fitted quite that way before. It looks good!

Alan

[mjbeanie]

Following the two year restoration effort: I went for my first ride in public, to get fuel.

For years I had been bringing the gas to the car, ....this was a nice change.
(A bonnet and matched wheels are also planned.)

[The Veg]

It's a moment that feels great for sure! Sort of a 'graduation,' if you will.

[mjbeanie]

It's a moment that feels great for sure! Sort of a 'graduation,' if you will.

Thanks Ben. For the kind words and comments.

[GLB]

looks good. I hope we can meet and park together in Austin. Gary