A plastic car but not a, lots of trouble usually serious

[lotustonybassplayer]

Unfortunately i can't make castle combe this year. The elan has been sidelined slightly, due to my purchase of nearly 2 years ago of a matra. Which stands for Mortgage Again To Repair Again which i knew would need improvements but has ended up with a full engine rebuild again. what started out as a suspected blown head gasket turned into a complete rebuild due a previous head skim that did not include a upper timing chain cover that has to be attached when the head is skimmed. Though this was not the only problem from this rebuild. the exhaust and inlet cam followers which are different, ( the exhaust have oil feed holes for extra lubrication ) 2 of each were fitted incorrectly which caused the 2 of the cam lobes about 5mm of metal which circulated around the engine causing bearing and bore wear as well as a dropped valve guide. for good measure So I had to drop out the engine ( its a mid engine configuration ) and strip it down, which i had never down before ! Then i had to find a local machine to assess the block and head etc. well this is the tenuous connection to lotus. I found a shop 10 mins away ! called connaught competion engines which did all the machining for me. They have/do work for classic team lotus. So some pedigree, which filled me with confidence. So all i had to do was put it all back together and put it back in the car ! ( my first engine rebuild ) Which i have managed to do and the car is back on the road a pic for the the majority who would have never heard of the marque ( Jackie Stewart's f 1 championship winning team )

[HJ2]

So it's an OTAS that you bought then? (Always Troubles, Always Serious)

[alan e]

Unfortunately i can't make castle combe this year. The elan has been sidelined slightly, due to my purchase of nearly 2 years ago of a matra. Which stands for Mortgage Again To Repair Again which i knew would need improvements but has ended up with a full engine rebuild again. what started out as a suspected blown head gasket turned into a complete rebuild due a previous head skim that did not include a upper timing chain cover that has to be attached when the head is skimmed. Though this was not the only problem from this rebuild. the exhaust and inlet cam followers which are different, ( the exhaust have oil feed holes for extra lubrication ) 2 of each were fitted incorrectly which caused the 2 of the cam lobes about 5mm of metal which circulated around the engine causing bearing and bore wear as well as a dropped valve guide. for good measure So I had to drop out the engine ( its a mid engine configuration ) and strip it down, which i had never down before ! Then i had to find a local machine to assess the block and head etc. well this is the tenuous connection to lotus. I found a shop 10 mins away ! called connaught competion engines which did all the machining for me. They have/do work for classic team lotus. So some pedigree, which filled me with confidence. So all i had to do was put it all back together and put it back in the car ! ( my first engine rebuild ) Which i have managed to do and the car is back on the road a pic for the the majority who would have never heard of the marque ( Jackie Stewart's f 1 championship winning team )

If you want a tenuous connection with Lotus i have just purchased a Sinclair C5 look up the Lotus Connection with that.

[GeoffSmith]

Simon's coming in a bloody Volvo and wants to join the not-a-convoy so don't let that put you off Tony.

[lotustonybassplayer]

Simon's coming in a bloody Volvo and wants to join the not-a-convoy so don't let that put you off Tony.

I guess the Vastly Over Large visually Odious could lead the "not a convoy" to clear the way through the lanes

[dapinky]

Tony,

Is it the 1.6 or 2.2 version?

I always quite liked the Bagheera, but have never driven a Murena....... however, even more tenuous link to Lotus, they use the same door handles as the Esprit (and Morris Marina/Austin Allegro).

Is it cramped inside with the 3-seat layout?

[lotustonybassplayer]

Dave

it's the 2.2, I used to own a bagheera s nearly 40 years ago I actually got 4 in it one night, those were the days 3 in the seats and 1 sitting the wrong way on the floor ! It virtually rusted in front of your eyes no rust protection, some black paint on the chassis i don't think any primer was used. the murena as you probably know has a galvanised space frame chassis with bonded and riveted panels. The weak spot is like the elan the rear trailing arms (wishbones) that rot nearly, £800 per side this was the bagheera's strong point though ! After what Geoff said about Simon and his volvo i thought about coming along in it, but ive just been changing the oil and filter and now see the clutch slave cylinder is leaking, I can get one from the suppliers in Germany or a rebuild kit. they deliver quickly like rock auto but the courier costs have shot up now ! we shall see

[TrevorB]

Hi Tony, wondered why you had been quiet!? Working hard on the other project. Hope you and Debs are both well?
If you fancy a day out you can always jump in with me?
I'll be leaving early though to catch breakfast. PM or txt me, (think you have my number).

Trevor

[lotustonybassplayer]

Image (5) (Copy).gif

Tony,

Is it the 1.6 or 2.2 version?

I always quite liked the Bagheera, but have never driven a Murena....... however, even more tenuous link to Lotus, they use the same door handles as the Esprit (and Morris Marina/Austin Allegro).

Is it cramped inside with the 3-seat layout?

[lotustonybassplayer]

Hi Tony, wondered why you had been quiet!? Working hard on the other project. Hope you and Debs are both well?
If you fancy a day out you can always jump in with me?
I'll be leaving early though to catch breakfast. PM or txt me, (think you have my number).

Trevor

Hi Trev

we are both well thank you, thanks for the offer if the part turns up for the matra, we might go along in that, As Dave has some knowledge of the car and Geoff has mentioned Simon's Volvo ! we shall see though. Yes i have your number so i might join your not a kent convey i will let you know one way or the other. Tony

[Saltire]

Love a Matra!

If you don’t bring it this time, maybe the next time we get together? In fact, perhaps we should organise a “Not the Lotus” day and enjoy our alternative wheels

[sheriff464]

Tony,

Is it the 1.6 or 2.2 version?

I always quite liked the Bagheera, but have never driven a Murena....... however, even more tenuous link to Lotus, they use the same door handles as the Esprit (and Morris Marina/Austin Allegro).

Is it cramped inside with the 3-seat layout?

Dave/Tony. Add the Triumph TR7 for the same door handles! Cheers from Clive.

[Blaster]

Tony,

Is it the 1.6 or 2.2 version?

I always quite liked the Bagheera, but have never driven a Murena....... however, even more tenuous link to Lotus, they use the same door handles as the Esprit (and Morris Marina/Austin Allegro).

Is it cramped inside with the 3-seat layout?

Dave/Tony. Add the Triumph TR7 for the same door handles! Cheers from Clive.

This could be a long list. with the Range Rover Classic 4 door

[lotustonybassplayer]

Tony,

Is it the 1.6 or 2.2 version?

I always quite liked the Bagheera, but have never driven a Murena....... however, even more tenuous link to Lotus, they use the same door handles as the Esprit (and Morris Marina/Austin Allegro).

Is it cramped inside with the 3-seat layout?

Dave/Tony. Add the Triumph TR7 for the same door handles! Cheers from Clive.

This could be a long list. with the Range Rover Classic 4 door

and as everyone knows LEC likes a list