Lotus Elan Central

by **Sy V** » Thu 04.01.2007, 16:17

As a compliment to your AB Gearchange cables or just to fit with your OEM cables, Alan has just contacted me to say that testing has finished on this item.

Pre-production photos available here:

http://www.abmotosport.com/Elan_products.html

Fitting Instructions, here:

http://www.abmotosport.com/Short%20shift%20fit.htm

I am aware that Dave has spent some time working in this area too but, the more alternative aftermarket enhancements the better, IMHO.

by **Sy V** » Fri 05.01.2007, 13:58

Here's a small extract from an IM that Alan Betts (ABMotorsports) sent me yesterday, so get your thinking caps on:

"A lot of effort went into the development.

Obviously I am biased but the combination of our gear cables plus the short-shift totally transforms the quality of the gearshift. Chunky and precise. Like a proper sports car.

When you look at the short-shift you will see that there is just no way you could do it for the money in, say the UK or USA. You just could not make it there in relatively small quantities for a price that people would be willing to pay.

I would like to do more Elan parts but the key is, to be commercially viable they have to be relatively cheap to freight from Asia.

As an example of what does not work, one of the areas that I think is really weak on the stock Elan is the brakes and I am unconvinced by current aftermarket offerings. I will probably do something for my own car but my guess is that it will not be commercially viable. The combination of 18 months development and testing plus freight costs would kill it.

So if you have any ideas for new products that are small and relatively light please let me know. Labour intensive to produce is not necessarily a problem."

by **donsladek** » Sat 20.01.2007, 05:13

How about a "stiffy" for the Federal Elans, or even the UK ones??

Door escutcheons and/or aluminum door latch handles?

glove box latches?

C'mon guys, here's a good opportunity to get those obsolete parts!

Don Sladek

by **Sy V** » Wed 31.01.2007, 10:33

Just received my short shift kit from Preeya and Alan. It won't surprise you to hear that it's a work of art.

by **Enright** » Wed 31.01.2007, 13:24

Get your camera out and show us then! :-D

by **Sy V** » Wed 31.01.2007, 14:15

I'm at work and that would be naughty...

by **Enright** » Wed 31.01.2007, 15:05

That is clever.
That is very clever indeed.
I'm impressed.

by **stevo** » Wed 31.01.2007, 19:37

can i have a feel of your box once its fitted?

i've shorted my knob already but it still feels a bit limp.

shall i go on?

all puns aside it looks like a nice piece of engineering much the same as his cables. i just hope its not priced like his cables :cry:

.

by **Monty** » Wed 31.01.2007, 19:42

Dico has recieved 2 sets and ones for me :-D

May even get it fitted this weekend, well at least to my spare selector :wink:

May re check how the AB cables are going through the tunnel as my gear stick doesn`t central it self.

Sy, if u get it fitted before me let us know how the fitting goes.

Cheers
Jay

by **F1 LOTUS** » Wed 31.01.2007, 22:02

Fine piece of kit indeed :smt023

by **M100 TWO** » Thu 01.02.2007, 00:35

how much for the kit and shipping and does it come with a gasket?
john

by **Monty** » Thu 01.02.2007, 12:10

Not got the Bill of Dico yet.

IIRC the only reason why they sold them to Paul direct was cause we`ve had gear of them in the past. But i believe they won`t sell direct, which is a shame and don`t think any 3rd party should be making a profit out LEC, ebay yes but not on here. Maybe AB will one day have an online buying website

You could try emailing them, u never know :roll:

by **Gazza** » Thu 01.02.2007, 18:47

I tried buying the cables direct off them, but they asked why didn't I want to buy them from a certain person.

Told them I didn't want to pay the extra when I can order them myself.

Never did get to order them, as apparently someone had been moaning about loss of profit. :roll:

Gary

by **chris.t** » Thu 01.02.2007, 19:20

Sy will you have yours fitted for Dony cos i'd like a feel of your short shifter. Think it maybe another to add to the upgrade list.

by **DeeAitch** » Thu 01.02.2007, 20:08

F1 LOTUS wrote:Fine piece of kit indeed

Looks mighty fine indeed!

by **Ekapol** » Thu 01.02.2007, 20:17

M100 TWO wrote:how much for the kit and shipping and does it come with a gasket?
john

I want to find that out too, providing how pretty they are in the pictures .. :smt077

by **Sy V** » Fri 02.02.2007, 10:36

Just been told that these are £120+postage (mine had no gasket).

I don't know whther Alan is going to use Will as his agent for these, but I'd be willing to act for him, if necessary.
But, I'd have to buy a shed load on the VISA card and sell them on an 'as and when' basis - this would mean I'd incur interest charges (which would increase the longer I held stock).
So I'd expect to add a fee on top of the price to cover the charges.

by **dapinky** » Fri 02.02.2007, 11:00

Sy,

Perhaps a 'group buy' with money up front would reduce your interset charges, or could people pay alan direct, and then ship via yourself?

(no, I'm NOT going to organise this one, my card took enough of a hammering recently!)

by **Enright** » Fri 02.02.2007, 11:19

Knowing how much it improves the feel of the gearbox I think this is just excellent.
For less than £400, AB cables and these will absolutely transform the feel and operation of the gearbox.
Well worth it and I'd recommend this upgrade to anyone.

by **Sy V** » Fri 02.02.2007, 11:25

OK

I'll act as a non cash-handling agent if Alan approves.

First off we need to know numbers/names, of all people who 100% definately want and can afford (remember this may be a month or so down the line) this AB Shortshifter. Inclusion Cut-Off Date 1 March 07 - for initial batch.

1. ?

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