> It sounds like a good deal for $6K, but not if the model is a dog.
>
> Any comments on a '74 Lotus Elite?
>
> Allen Hefner
I can offer some general Lotus advise, having worked on a '71 Elan... but
not much else.
If the wiring was really "redone" this is a MAJOR plus. New harnesses for
most older Lotus' total just over $800 for the three sections needed. The
killer comes in the time and labour expended removing and fitting the new
wiring, and possibly removing the body (word has it this is the easier way
to go!). On the '71 Elan I was rewiring, it was a big hassle... but also
had a ton of DPO wiring fixes, which made it difficult to figure out the
differences in the actual car and the schematic (there is one GOOD Elan
wiring diagram, and it sucks actually). Lotus seemed to make small changes
to the wiring as production went along.
The Dell'Orto carbs are another major plus! The Elan had dual Strombergs
and was somewhat conservative, but still was a very nice setup. The
Dell'Ortos will really allow you to open the car up and will improve
acceleration figures even more.
Questions... why has it had so many paint jobs? Is the fibreglass crazing
below the surface, and the multiple paintjobs a way of hiding the stressed
fibreglass? When the body was redone, was all the old paint stripped off
and the necessary fibreglass repairs carried out?
That sunroof thing could prove to be a hassle... if it doesn't seal
especially.
I say go for it! $6000 sounds dandy for a Lotus.
chocks away,
--
Kai M. Radicke -- kmr@pil.net
1966 MGB -- 1974 Triumph TR-6
http://www.pil.net/~felix (pix soon)
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