Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Its all gone a bit quite on people wanting the 1/24th model and as yet I don't have enough to get it moving.

The SMTS is that the kit price or built!

Kim

The kit I would imagine. RL16. The one I have has to be built.

I thought it probably was its just the price seems to have shot up from what they were a couple of years ago, but I suppose that postgage etc is probably quite a bit as well.

Good luck

Kim

I'm very interested in a 1/24 scale kit. I have models in 1/24 of my other real cars, and by the look of things, I will add a 1/1 scale +2 to that list very soon.

Sorry, bit late to add to this thread, but I would love a scale model of my Plus 2. Lagoon Blue!

Kind regards
Jeff

I know this topic has gone a bit quiet for a while but here is an update.

Many manufacturers have been approached and many have politely declined or else have said they will pass it on to their Product Development Department, in truth that really means the same thing.

With the likes of the main stream manufacturers such as Tamiya measuring potential sales in the 1000s perhaps their indifference is not so surprising as genuine interest has dried up at around the 30 mark from this and another forum.

What did transpire is that the small artisan companies are prepared to consider this but the cost is probably prohibitive. In order to produce a brass master and the final moulds from photographs they would charge ?5000 by way of research and development costs.

This would mean a final model to be produced in resin with some white metal components. Bearing in mind the above ?confirmed? takers stands at 30 and if they were all willing to pay an up front cost of ?80 as originally intended there would be ?2400 in the pot so to speak. But that is quite a big IF, being prepared to buy one when the model actually exists is one thing, asking people for ?80 for an idea is another.

I am exploring other avenues, perhaps a die cast model by a Chinese manufacturer. I am sure some of you will have seen the Lotus Elite 1/18th scale model which has seemingly sold well at around ?20/25 so this is maybe one way of getting a large scale model of a +2. It does not quite hold the same appeal for me as you buy it as a complete item rather than being able to create a model of ?your own? car but perhaps that is just me?
Also 1/18th whilst popularr now dos not fit in with other lotus models of the Elan, Europa, 7 etc.

What do others think, would a die cast completed model be the way to go or not?

The alternative is to come up with the ?5000 and the only way I can see that happening is if :-
1) I win the lottery

2) Or if a large number of Elan.net and other Lotus club ?members? were prepared to pay a nominal amount into a ?fund? say ?10.00 each. But are there 500 people willing to do it?

3) Even though the risk to each person is only ?10, how could you set it up without it looking like a con?

Any input would be appreciated.

Kim

Hi Kim,

I've just read your message, it certainly seems to be a major struggle.
I belong to the non +2 crowd so I won't be on your list.
Your mention of 1/18 scale was what rang my bell.
I have comercially available models in that scale of an Elan, Europa, Elite, Elise & a Caterham 7.
I think that most of them came out of China but the quality suits me fine
One exception to that is the convex windscreen on the (Sun Star) Elan model which makes me cringe when I look at it.
Are there any model makers out there that could make a correction by making & fitting a single curvature screen maybe?
If so, a repaint in the same colour of my 1/1 example would be nice too (Sad 'innit )

In any case, good luck with your quest.
John

Hi John

It's sad to say I had some involvement with the Sun Star model, they asked me to source owners who would be willing to have their cars used to photograph and measure etc, they wanted a DHC and coupe and an S4.

The idea was that at some point they would market an S4 and of course a Sprint version.

The overall apperance is not bad for the price but the screen is all wrong and spoils it.

The art of a good model maker is to make the car look right, as a model it is viewed differently from a real car, you can see all over it and the "art" is adapting some of the real dimensions to make it "work" as a model. Something definately went wrong with that particular model and the "art" was missing.

If you take the Yat Ming Elite in 1/18th they have done a very good job for the money.

Kim

atthelimit wrote:Hi John

It's sad to say I had some involvement with the Sun Star model, they asked me to source owners who would be willing to have their cars used to photograph and measure etc, they wanted a DHC and coupe and an S4.

The idea was that at some point they would market an S4 and of course a Sprint version.

The overall apperance is not bad for the price but the screen is all wrong and spoils it.

The art of a good model maker is to make the car look right, as a model it is viewed differently from a real car, you can see all over it and the "art" is adapting some of the real dimensions to make it "work" as a model. Something definately went wrong with that particular model and the "art" was missing.

If you take the Yat Ming Elite in 1/18th they have done a very good job for the money.

Kim

Oh shame on you Kim, wasn't there some sort of sign off before going into production.
Quite funny, the man himself, Ron Hickman had just bought a sack full of them at Donington a few years ago.
I pointed out the double curvature windscreen to him & he hadn't noticed it, so that's a top notch waiver(sp.?) if there ever was one.
Is there a better 1/18 Elan model at reasonable money, oh & a Google address for that Elite would be greatly appreciated.
I'd also be interested in getting into contact to someone who could personalise one of those 1/18 Elans.
Maybe with your "connections" you could get hold of a box of Sun Star bits + Transfers so that I could have a go myself??
You may remember me having a number of 1/24 Elan Kits.
Well all of those were purchased with the intention of making a model of my own 1/1 car.
Trouble was I wrecked too many bodies trying to get commercial paint onto them.
One sick Puppy here 'innit.

Cheers
John

Just found these guys which appear to be selling a +2 1:43 scale.

http://www.diecastlegends.com/diecast-b ... -1-43.html

Some of you guys may want one. Not sure of the quality but cheap.

Thanks for posting Jason. The Elan looks OK for quality. Would love one of these.

Salut

Came across the 1/43 model a while back and it was on pre-order then, too. Also seemed a bit pricey for a matchbox-size model - makes the SMTS appear reasonably priced.

@+

Vernon

I called the 0800 number in the advert link and a very nice girl took my email address and promised to contact me when available. She is certain it will be ready this year.

Hmm, over here in France you can't call very nice girls on Freephone numbers...

Kim,

I would welcome the chance to buy a 1/24 model of the +2 if it was of the standard of the Yat Ming Elite.

The only alternative that I can see is to build your own. Has any one else tried the Ditech shell as the basis? I am no model maker but it seemed to be worth a try. I have used Tamiya Europa as a donor for many of the parts. Photo shows work in progress.

Bill