Plus 2 chassis

[Dieschelan]

I have a problem with my chassis. I'm restoring my plus 2 and in the front the chassis is damaged. One side is higher than the other.
My question is What is the best replacement chassis for a plus2?

[theelanman]

depend on if you want originality.......
if you want original......then the lotus galv chassis
if you just want to replace then probably the spyder version.....

[theelanman]

S and J Sportscars are listing the galv chassis
CHASSIS, (Lotus, Original) C050A0701M EACH ?1,850.00 + vat


Spyder
Spaceframe Chassis: +2 BOCH002 ?1865.00 + vat


or you could get yours fixed and treated/galvanized...........????????????

[alan.barker]

Lotus Galvanised every time
now i'll just go down to my Airaid shelter to be safe from the attack

[CBUEB1771]

There is one more option which is Spyder's replica of the standard Lotus chassis which they list at 1595 GBP and for an additional 500 GBP they will add 26R style reinforcements. I have no idea if the Spyder copy of the Lotus chassis is any different from the Lotus replacements available though Miles Wilkins (also painted and unfinished options). If you are looking for modifications I imagine that Spyder would be easier to work with. The galvanized chassis are always the subject of much debate. There are reports of significant distortion caused by the galvanizing process, sometimes said to have taken many months to materialize, I have a galvanized Lotus chassis and it seems to be very good in terms of suspension geometry but the vertical panels of the backbone section are bulged (oil-canned) as a result of the galvanizing process. There are also large "blobs" of the zinc coating inside the front suspension towers, I guess these were difficult wisk away as the chassis came out of the galvanizing dip. The Spyder space-frame design has real advantages in terms of improved access for maintenance. I always lean toward originality but that is probably only a serious concern if you have an early Elan.