LotusElan.info
Home Up May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 Bodywork

 

 

 

 

May 2003

 

Wondering what happened during April..................nothing

Sent the callipers off to Classicar Automotive for overhaul

Saturday 10th May 2003

Sold the body components of the second car to Andy of Spyder Cars.  Also bought a number of components required for the build from Spyder.  Components were delivered as the body was collected.  Andy of Spyder Cars spent some time looking over my complete car.  Andy noticed a crack on the chassis...bad news!

 

Monday 11th May 2003

Having discovered that the chassis on the car is cracked, I decided that the best basis for the restoration would be to build on a brand new chassis.  There were a number of reasons for this:

  1. Once complete, I could be sure that the car should be free of rust for the next few years

  2. No need to clean the old one - therefore no mess and no more problems to find

  3. I could build up a rolling chassis without touching the car

  4. No need to repair the old one and worrying about it afterwards.

  5. Quicker restoration time

I chose the Spyder Cars  chassis over a galvanized Lotus one;

bullet

It gives the option of fitting a Ford MT75 5 speed gearbox

bullet

Because it's cheaper than a galvanized Lotus Chassis

bullet

They have a reputation for being more rigid

bullet

Because its easier to repair (hope I don't have to use this option)

bullet

I liked the colour

I also purchased a number of new suspension components from Spyder  These will be added to the chassis over the next few weeks.

 

Friday 30th May 2003

I collected the chassis from Spyder on Friday 30th May 2003 with the assistance of David Polkey -  approx three weeks after placing the order.  I took along a number of Chapman Struts in order to have the old bearings pressed out and new ones inserted.  Unfortunately, three of the four struts proved to be damaged (One repaired with filler!)  I therefore had to purchase a reconditioned strut to complement my remaining good one.

The chassis at home - front suspension dropped on 'just to see how it goes'

Front Left

Front

Rear left

 

Now the restoration work can start!