Hello Jeff,
I receive mail from the Lotus List in digest form so they come about 24
hours late. I probably rank in the upper half of the non-professional Lotus
restorers on the List when it comes to the classic Elan. I have done it
twice and am now on the third frame-off, completely disassembled
restoration -- on the same car!
I agree with the suggestions given on the List to you. here are some
suggestions of my own:
1. Keep the original frame if it is in good condition. There is some value
to originality. I painted mine very carefully with two-pack epoxy in 1981
and repainted it (only because I wanted to change the color during the 2nd
restoration in 1995) with polyurethane. It is still in wonderful condition
and would still be in use (except for the race accident this March -- that
really hurt!). If you do need to change the frame, I would suggest a
galvanized Lotus frame or, if you are going to race a bit, perhaps a 26R
replica frame from one of the specialists. Because its concept, design, and
appearance have departed so much from the original (there is historical
significance to the flat panels used in the Elan frame), I personally would
not install a Spyder chassis.
2. Keep everything else as original as possible. If you feel the need for
modern technology, buy a new sports car (things have improved in 30 years),
but keep the Elan stock so you can marvel at how close it is, even in
original form, to the modern equivalent. This argues against five-speed
gearboxes (a big no for me) to changes to little things like electrical
bullet connectors. I would even keep the original tire size. The fuse for
the rear taillight harness sounds like a good idea, though.
3. The old radiator never gave me any problem in the eastern U.S. and did
very well even in the tropics. Incidentally, a vintage-racer friend of mine
in the air-conditioning business says that the new thinking is that wider
cores do not help much, since there is very little temperature differential
at the back side of the core; hence the new radiators are actually quite
thin. I would remove the cooling fan and install an electric one (I used
Kenlowe). Also, the new thinking is to put the electric fan behind rather
in front of the radiator (I was told differently in 1981, and will probably
keep the fan in the front).
4. The only thing I might change is the starter.
My car has gone through a great deal of transformation in the three
restorations, but that is because I wanted to race it a bit more. It now
has 26R hubs, aluminum KOs, mag wheels, magnesium struts, light alloy cases,
rose joints, etc. -- I call it a "45R" -- but be careful going this route
because one change leads to another.
Have fun, do the work yourself (except perhaps the engine), don't hurry, but
do try to do something once a week on the restoration -- the biggest problem
seems to be finishing!
Merry Christmas to you and to all on the List.
Regards,
Andres
Manila
Lotus 23 and 45R
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