Ellen II (or Sis)

[Specky]

Good luck Dave, hope you get it cheap enough

BTW what 3 words couldn't he use on ebay

He has changed it...

The add used say ...I'm open to offers...and if there's enough intrest I will break for spares...

TTFN

[surfboardfiller]

I tried to buy this car 18 months ago. It was on Pistonheads. I went to meet the owner but this car had a split radiator hose so it was recovered to a lotus garage local to him. Before I could get to it someone at the garage gave him a cash offer and he took it.

Here is the advert of the time:

3 words: "Finish Sale Privately"

Hope this helps
Cheers,

Phil

[Specky]

Cheers Phil,

It's amazing what you can find out this Forum...

Cheers Guys

I'll ask about the gearbox as well...

TTFN

[Specky]

I asked two questions..

3rd/4th gear rumble

leaks coolant/radiator

The seller has always been quick, promt and seems genuine

When I bought the car I was informed there was a noise from the front, I drove it and couldnt hear much. My local garage looked at it and said it sounds like the bearing that supports the driveshaft. There are no water leaks. If you want me to remove your bids let me know its no problem.
Regards

TTFN

[Specky]

The search and project continues...

Clicky

TTFN

[Monty]

Well done Dave

So whats the plan?

[Specky]

Well done Dave

So whats the plan?

Just wait and see...

TTFN

[tigerdog]

So whats the plan?

Just wait and see...

So, what colour Elan should I look for outside Heathrow on 12 September?

[Specky]

So whats the plan?

Just wait and see...

So, what colour Elan should I look for outside Heathrow on 12 September?

Not white or silver...

TTFN

[Specky]

Help needed please...I'm after a picture...

I'm looking for a photo of 1980's hood release handle and the surounding area...(Something JEX or Gex I recon)

I'm guessing it has black trim round the apperture like the other sides fuel filler release..

TTFN

[Specky]

Help needed please...I'm after a picture...

I'm looking for a photo of 1980's hood release handle and the surounding area...(Something JEX or Gex I recon)

I'm guessing it has black trim round the apperture like the other sides fuel filler release..

TTFN

Anyone...





TTFN

[tigerdog]

I'm looking for a photo of 1980's hood release handle and the surounding area...(Something JEX or Gex I recon)

1980's hood release handle for what car, Specky? An early production Elan?

[Specky]

I'm looking for a photo of 1980's hood release handle and the surounding area...(Something JEX or Gex I recon)

1980's hood release handle for what car, Specky? An early production Elan?

As we all know each and every Elan is different...

Ellen 2 was made 1988-89, so there's quite a few differences..

Normal hood realeases are mounted thru the bath tub and then go to the two catches that hold down the hood stowage lid..

Mine sort of goes the bath tub...(Big hole)... with no central mounts...

I didn't know you get the police car flashing light effect when you hit main beam.... I like that...

TTFN

[Specky]

Hi Dave,

Have a look at these, both sides are exactly the same with a big plastic grommet thing covering the hole.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ ... 008025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ ... 008027.jpg

Cheers

Ben

Cheers Ben...

Next question...

where would I find the VIN No apart fom on the Clam plate, above the right hand rear wheel, or on the V5...is there anywhere else...

Also where abouts is the engine number stamped on the block...is it near the gearbox front face where the 4XT is stamped.

TTFN

[Specky]

Well the project started today....

The aim.... to take one very tired car and return her to her former glory...(A bit of a Practice for the white one)

The time.... as long as it takes or when I can....

So today DAY 1 I removed:-

The Bonnet
One Bonnet hinge
Both Wiper arms
Both Opera lights...(Partially stripped to component pieces.... )
Air filter & housing
Air filter flexi ducting to carb
Gear cables disconnected at gearbox
Clutch cable disconnected at gearbox
Gearbox selector removed
Header tank loosened
alarm disconnected from front clam
Release agent sprayed on all sorts for the future...
One indicator lens...

What I broke

Sheared a few bolts that secure the opera lights to the clam
Sheared the actuating rod for light pod trying to crack the lock nut...
One bolt has stripped it's thread on the other indicator lens and now requires drilling off

What I found

Front Clam has four major cracks, two minor cracks and quite a few Gel cracks

Found a missing screw off the spark plug cover...(Result)

Found the R-Clip I lost off the gearbox cables

What I hurt

Chunk out of my thumb..

What I learnt

Remove the front wheel arch liners to start with...

COST SO FAR £000:00

TTFN

[Doug]

Dave,

I have taken too many chunks out of fingers and hands, so I always wear mechanics gloves now when doing anything mechanic-like. Seems with your fun project ahead of you that you should get some . . .

[Specky]

So today DAY 2 I removed:-

The other indicator lens... You've gotta love drilling out spinning bolts in plastic...
L/H front wheel arch liner...(what a bitch)
R/H front wheel arch liner...(what a bitch X2)
L/H head light motor
R/H head light motor
Bonnet stay
Other bonnet hinge...That was king tight
Plenum chamber
One end of the bonnet release cable and attaching metal work
Front bumper
L/H A-Panel... Couldn't remove the bolts they were seized solid...
R/H A-Panel... Couldn't remove the bolts they were seized solid...again
Front clam
Front wheels

What I broke

Numerous Studs,bolts, nusts and receptacles
Bottom holes of the A Panels

What I hurt

Eyes..Release agent blew back...

What I learnt

I have the offer of a new tub and a new chassis, but I'd feel like Trigger from only fools and horses... It's the same car, but it's.....

The bad news

All I can say is some clown has rebuilt the front end car at some stage of it's life...
And there's a 10" crack in the Tub...

The Good news

I've roped in a mate to help this project along... Unfortunately I found the only Scouser who can't remove a set of road wheels...never mind in under 10 Seconds...
I guess Scouse say hello as the project takes shape...

Still chatting to Hethel about the car... It could be the first production car ever made...(Well one of three of three made at the same time)

But there's a quirk with the car as well, but I'll say more when I get to the bottom of the mystery...

Cost:- £006:45

New Dyno file belts
New cutting disk

I'll post some pics soon...

TTFN

[Specky]

Here's a few Pics,

Rain stopped play a few times...

TTFN

[tigerdog]

Looks like she's coming along nicely, Specky, in a "taking apart" kind of way. Somehow I missed the fact she's a Norma until I saw the photos.

[Specky]

UPDATE

Nothing much has happened on the car front but, on the admin-side things have moved on...

Long story short... The car has a slightly wrong VIN No....(One letter), so I enquired about a certificate of Authenticity...

After much talking with Hethel... The Sherlock Holmes of the investigation and top dude in the archives department has an answer....

Dear Mr Speck,

It would appear that the VIN label is incorrect as you first stated it should read ZN1, not ZT1 as the engine is a normally aspirated unit, and according to the build book it left Lotus with a normally aspirated engine. I would imagine the V5 and any other documents were then raised from that same number, as they should match the car. We would recommend having the chassis stamped for security if you say it has not been stamped. As for what to do about the differences, that is entirely up to you. You can obtain a replacement VIN label and it may be worth speaking to the DVLA about procedures for getting their records changed, they may just want a letter from us, if you want the car to be spot on.Alternatively you can just leave it as it is, as a "initial build clerical error". This was only the 3rd car from the initial build before proper production began (your car left production on 09/11/89, retail cars did not leave the production line until January 1990, so it possible clerical errors where made, especially as these cars were used mainly to test production and then used promotionally for publicity shows etc. It was then decided at a later date to sell this car on. Sometimes products with errors can be worth more and as the V5 matches the VIN label on the car, everything is OK as far as I am aware. You have provided evidence of the VIN plate on the car so if you want to leave as it is I will use the VIN number as on the label for the certificate. Hope this has cleared up your queries and I am pleased to see this car will be restored and maybe seeing this car at another open day event.

Regards

So there you are...It's N/A TURBO...Best of both worlds...

TTFN