Elan Steering Wheel

[woodlawn]

On Ebay (item 2439973213) Elan steering wheel

[Alpine_Ian]

Is this the correct wheel for a '63 Elan S2? If not, what is the correct wheel and how much should I expect to pay? I need one complete with hub and cebter badge. Thanks.

[types26/36]

Ian,
This is not the original wheel for a S1/2, the Chapman signed one only came with S4/Sprint/late +2 (feel free to correct me anyone)
The S1/S2 is a woodrim with slits as opposed to holes in the three spokes. as to how much to pay is "how bad do you want an original"..........
Regards Brian....also looking for an original!

[types26/36]

Ian,
As a footnote go to www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk on the Parts page there is a picture of the steering wheel you/I both want.
Brian

[Alpine_Ian]

Thanks Brian... I'll check it out. If an original is too hard to get, what is a reasonalble alternative... is there a MotoLita or something that is acceptable?

[types26/36]

Ian,
I believe a motolita is availerbul and whatever is acceptable to you, its your car and its your choice. Triumph Spitfire will fit, the one on Ebay is fine but not original,
what is on the car now?
Brian

[Unibrain]

My original wheel was broken so I opted for the Moto-Lita Mark 9, Mahogany, Thin Slot. Price was ?110.00 + ?33.00 for the boss. <a href='http://www.moto-lita.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.moto-lita.com/</a>

I retouched a lotus logo onto this picture. You can also see the wheel without the center cap <a href='http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/elan/gallery/Dash/Dash' target='_blank'>in my car</a>. The color and grain of the wood are very close to the refinished dash and I opted for the 14" wheel instead of the more original 15" to make it a bit easier to get in and out.

[Alpine_Ian]

The leather wheel is what was on the car when I got it. Unfortunately, it's shot and will need completely restored. The wood wheel is one that I dug out of my collection of steering wheels. I don't know much about this one, but it looks like it would be nice in the Elan. I will need to identify a hub or make one to work. This one is marked Walsall Wheels Ltd. England. Is anyone fimilliar with these wheels?

[Alpine_Ian]

Jim,

I like the Motolita. very nice. I also found your web site very helpful too. What did you use to refinish your dash? Looks great!

[Unibrain]

The varnish on the original dash was <a href='http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/elan/gallery/Dash/Detail_Front' target='_blank'>cracked</a> but, lucky for me, the veneer underneath was in fairly good shape. I carefully chipped the cracked varnish off and very lightly sanded the veneer. Since the veneer is so thin, I couldn't sand it until it was smooth so I applied what seemed like a thousand coats of varnish, sanding between each coat, until the dash was smooth and flat. One last coat of semi-glass varnish, burnished with 000 steel wool and a coat of furniture wax and the dash is what you see. There are a couple of defects, but no one but me can find them

[Alpine_Ian]

My dash has the original veeer still intact, but the finish is totally gone. I was wondering if it was a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Thanks!

[types26/36]

Ian ,
Not sure if your car is an S1 or S2, you quote 63 S2 but S2's only started in Nov64
at chass: 26/3900 The dasboard on the S1 was only 3/4 size and had a seperate glove compartment, it was made of oiled teak plywood.
The S2 had a full width dash with lockable glove box and was varnished. The early S2's had a few S1 parts like the S1 rear lights and f/brake calipers.....I know, I have one.

[Unibrain]

I started with a high gloss finish. When it was close to being done, I mounted some of the gauges to see what it would look like. Way too much gloss. I then went to a semi-glass for the last couple of coats.

I like the look of the stock dash over some of the more exotic woods so took some extra time to restore my dash. One step I missed was gluing down the veneer in a couple of spots where it started to peel, mainly on the back of the glove box door.

Good luck with your refinishing.

[Alpine_Ian]

<!--QuoteBegin-types26/36/74+Nov 3 2003, 03:02 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (types26/36/74 @ Nov 3 2003, 03:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Ian ,
Not sure if your car is an S1 or S2, you quote 63 S2 but S2's only started in Nov64
at chass: 26/3900 The dasboard on the S1 was only 3/4 size and had a seperate glove compartment, it was made of oiled teak plywood.
The S2 had a full width dash with lockable glove box and was varnished. The early S2's had a few S1 parts like the S1 rear lights and f/brake calipers.....I know, I have one. [/quote]
I could be wrong about the date, the PO reported it to me that way. When I get home tonight I'll report the Serial number to you. It's badged a S2 and has the full width dash. It will be nice to know exactly what I have. Thanks!

[Alpine_Ian]

My chassis number is 26/3985

I'm guessing that this would be the 85th car produced based on the 26/3900 starting number? Is that a correct assumption?

This car is a RHD configuration with the full dash, the single rear turn/brake light units. I'm not sure how to identify the difference between the brake calipers yet, but from everything I see(and know), it's all S2.

How many S2 Elans were produced? Is there a record of build dates per chassis number? Based on what I've been told I could actually have a car that was built in '65? Correct?