Rear Body Removal

[AJSGSE1990]

I have now removed and stripped down the doors, front and rear bumpers, and today will likely tackle the front clam shell. Next I need to remove the rear body panels and then they will all go for a respray. The interior will go last and then will be able to remove the lower body.

Question is: I cannot seem to find a video or instructions for the rear body sections, does anyone know if there are instructions anywhere.

Thank you.

[Simon_H]

Do you mean the boot lid and stowage cover or are you asking about the rear quarters etc?
Everything once you have unbolted those two is bonded together and you won’t be removing them easily.

[dapinky]

As Simon says, the actual 'base bodytub' is a one-piece moulding, and I have only ever known of the removal of it if there is a chassis repair/replacement being undertaken.

If it is "just" a respray, then it can be left in situ on the rolling chassis, with all the other panels removed for painting.

However, should you really want to do it, then the information in the workshop manual on "chassis replacement" is where you will find the most help.

The Parts Book is a bit confusing in that respect, as it appears that the tub is made of separate parts, stuck together - however, it is intended for the official lotus body shop repair team to enable them to graft in repair sections.

The structure (Part# 90) is what you can strip it down to - after that, it will need to come off as one piece (if you really want to).

bodyshell.png

[AJSGSE1990]

The structure (Part# 90) is what you can strip it down to - after that, it will need to come off as one piece (if you really want to).

bodyshell.png

Thank you both, that is what I needed to see. So basically there are quite a few things there is no point in removing as they come up with the body. The frame at the rear is in a terrible state and I have a better one on its way. I will clean, fix, and prep the new one first. It looks like I might be able to keep the engine in place. I'm surprised the windscreen is attached to the fibreglass shell. Go figure.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[dapinky]

I'm surprised the windscreen is attached to the fibreglass shell. Go figure.

That was intentional, as it was the only way that the car could be produced within the crash-test rules at the time.

It was a requirement that the occupants would be protected from hitting the tarmac in the event of a roll-over - so the screen and the surround needed to be able to support the weight of the upside-down car.

Having seen a number of Elans which have flipped over, I don't know how the tests were carried out, but I suspect that the car was probably quite gently placed upside down, and not flipped at speed with lateral forces on the windscreen frame...... this is the primary reason that my Elans have (or had!) roll hoops fitted before I will drive them in a 'spirited' fashion with enhanced chance of ending up other than on all 4 wheels!!!!!

[AJSGSE1990]

this is the primary reason that my Elans have (or had!) roll hoops fitted before I will drive them in a 'spirited' fashion with enhanced chance of ending up other than on all 4 wheels!!!!!

Take nobody makes them and you had to fabricate yourself. I just finished taking the rear of the car surface bits apart and it certainly looks doable, just getting to the chassis without cutting the body looks difficult.

Andrew.