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Newbie

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:18 pm
by Spaximus
Hi All,

My name is Jeff and over the years I have built many things, latterly I have built several Westfields. Having got older and wet too many times I sold my road car and now just have my track car, which can be used on the road if you like your spine crushed and fillings falling out.
I am seriously considering either buying an Elan +2, having seen a good example and there is also a convertible that looks fine. However I am being drawn towards building a Zetec engine Spyder chassied car.

So a few questions, does anyone know of a complete shell, ie everything bar the chassis.
What to look for when buying one, is there steel in the bodyshell anywhere to be warey of?
Any recommended reading?
Any recommended specialists for spares etc.

I work for a company who distributes car parts to motor factors across the Uk so many parts I can get but special Lotus only is a no no.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

Re: Newbie

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:16 pm
by Europatc
Welcome Jeff
all the best
Stuart

Re: Newbie

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:57 am
by cal44
Buy a junker with a rotted frame. Hopefully all the parts are there. I would avoid simply buying a shell as you will darn near need everything that goes with it.

Re: Newbie

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 2:07 am
by Sea Ranch
Welcome, Jeff.

Yup, agree with Mike.

Also, there is a section on this forum for modified cars, and many, many enthusiastic builder/owner/posters here.

To answer but one of your questions, the Plus 2 has mild steel folded triangle-section reinforcing members in the sill areas under the doors (we usually refer to them as sill members). They bolt to the lower fiberglass flange of the sill and also at three points inside, and serve as outer seatbelt anchors. And they rust like crazy.

But they're relatively simple and inexpensive to replace. Make sure you do that with the shell fully and properly seated on the chassis, with doors in place. Then you can remove the shell and do bodywork, etc. (which is the current state of my car, as seen in the avatar :shock: ).

Read the period magazine reviews and tests. The Plus 2 will be an excellent experience for you, compared to driving a track car on the road: awesome handling and superior ride. :mrgreen:

Good luck finding the right donor, etc. . . . regards,

Randy

Re: Newbie

PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:25 am
by gherlt
Hello and welcome,
If you want to build such a car from ground up you will end up spending more money than buying one.
It might be better done, yes.
But because "non-original" cars tend to be cheaper, a +2 zetec conversion is quite "common", I rather would wait for an opportunity to buy one.

Reards

Guillermo