News I hoped never to post

[Jeemy]

I cannot help unfortunately, but if you want to borrow any tools and somebody is coming down from Scotland in a van or anything, I have a full engine crane that is fairly easily dismantled, and even more easily folded, I could probably courier it to you fairly easily if you are stuck as well. I won't need it back for 3-6 weeks at current rates. Family is all ill, I am main childminder at moment.

I'd guess it folds to about 140 x 70 x 50cm, it is heavy, but it rolls easily on its wheels.

I've got lots of other stuff handy, you can borrow any of it and its all postable so if there are particular things you want, let me know, I'm out all weekend the 15/16 gigging so won't need them and am happy to prepare a parcel for collection at the Edinburgh bypass or couriering down to you this week.

A good idea for the engine is to put it on a wooden pallet and saw out the area for the sump to drop into; I have a padsaw suitable for the job and you can get pallets really easily from local supermarkets, garages, I was really surprised how many people offered me them when I was just chatting to them about the Lotus. Sitting in the middle of our industrial estate on stands, all the local businesses pop in to see how I am doing and laugh at my 5 layers of clothing, and offer me pallets.

[Dico]

If you remove the clam and front crash structure (etc) the engine & box can be lifted out relatively easily, with two big lads (Rips plus 1...)

[Andy_J]

Don't forget to drain the oil, from the engine and gearbox before you take them out, it can get very messy if you don't

[Stef]

Cheers!

Looks like just RIP is the only helping hand for ths weekend but offer still open for any more!

[rip]

If you remove the clam and front crash structure (etc) the engine & box can be lifted out relatively easily, with two big lads (Rips plus 1...)

Looks like just RIP is the only helping hand for ths weekend

Have you sorted something to store your engine & gearbox on?

[nicowalker1]

Dont forget to use protection Iain! Those engines and gear boxes can be heavy if they land on your toes...

[Stef]

Not sorted any wood or pallet yet, really struggling time wise for everything

Maybe best to leave this heavy stuff till there is more than one person strong enough?

[trig]

Stef , It's not the best time of year to be looking for help unfortunately with Christmas looming ,, I would love to help if you were a little closer or when its a bit warmer and days are longer if you can wait ?
I have an engine lift if you need one in Bristol if you know anyone passing ,, as Jeemy suggested use a small pallet with a slat missing for the sump to drop through , did this with mine

Dico must be stronger than he looks myself and two other struggled to lift an engine without gearbox into my boot , its doable but not easy , ,, might be easier to drop engine + box onto a pallet then lift the front of car up and drag out

There is one small part I'm after if its not lost , the black mesh/grill front speaker cover from the smashed door ,,, I have two new doors but one has this grill missing

When I stripped my Elan I took lots of pics so I could remember what the parts were and where they came from , I also used labeled sandwich bags for all the small bits

Hope you find an even better Elan soon and have a great Crimbo

[rip]

Stef , It's not the best time of year to be looking for help unfortunately with Christmas looming ,, I would love to help if you were a little closer or when its a bit warmer and days are longer if you can wait ?
I have an engine lift if you need one in Bristol if you know anyone passing ,, as Jeemy suggested use a small pallet with a slat missing for the sump to drop through , did this with mine

Dico must be stronger than he looks myself and two other struggled to lift an engine without gearbox into my boot , its doable but not easy , ,, might be easier to drop engine + box onto a pallet then lift the front of car up and drag out

There is one small part I'm after if its not lost , the black mesh/grill front speaker cover from the smashed door ,,, I have two new doors but one has this grill missing

When I stripped my Elan I took lots of pics so I could remember what the parts were and where they came from , I also used labeled sandwich bags for all the small bits

Hope you find an even better Elan soon and have a great Crimbo

I think Dico was suggesting that they could be moved forwards, not lifted out.
I have the use of an engine hoist but we may be better leaving it in place if we have nowhere to store it. I'm sure that there is easily a weekend's work without this.

[Dico]

I lifted a chassis into the back of my Discovery on my own, drove it to work then lifted it into the back of my truck. Only the truck wasn't its usual 2/3rds full, but full to the back doors Had to lift it on top of all the goods I was delivering
Crack on with it. I would help if closer.

[Stef]

Stef , It's not the best time of year to be looking for help unfortunately with Christmas looming ,, I would love to help if you were a little closer or when its a bit warmer and days are longer if you can wait ?
I have an engine lift if you need one in Bristol if you know anyone passing ,, as Jeemy suggested use a small pallet with a slat missing for the sump to drop through , did this with mine

Dico must be stronger than he looks myself and two other struggled to lift an engine without gearbox into my boot , its doable but not easy , ,, might be easier to drop engine + box onto a pallet then lift the front of car up and drag out

There is one small part I'm after if its not lost , the black mesh/grill front speaker cover from the smashed door ,,, I have two new doors but one has this grill missing

When I stripped my Elan I took lots of pics so I could remember what the parts were and where they came from , I also used labeled sandwich bags for all the small bits

Hope you find an even better Elan soon and have a great Crimbo

I think Dico was suggesting that they could be moved forwards, not lifted out.
I have the use of an engine hoist but we may be better leaving it in place if we have nowhere to store it. I'm sure that there is easily a weekend's work without this.

Oh! You're suggesting a few drinkies?!! Wow, thought hadn't crossed my mind there...

[G UK]

Bit late as I've not been on much recently but sorry to hear about Blipi, at least you have been able to rescue her for parts and they didn't make her a Cat B

I would offer to help stripping the car down but unfortunately I can't help this weekend as I have a number of prior commitments, sorry.

[Stef]

While whisky heads slowly recover this morning and camera charges, I'll post some picss of pre-work and update so far.

Blipi amazingly still rolls true and has some steering (limited by damage restricting turn)!

She still made me smile and think she's a good looking car but that's just Elan love I guess!

Anyway, the shock of how dead I would be if I were in her upon impact is still shudderingly real. There really is no driver seat left! The whole chassis has twisted as the passenger door was also stuck closed. We had to rip off the panel(as some of the bolts were hidden with the door closed) and managed to unlock her and door thankfully opened. So all internal gubbins there can be saved. My original door handle parts are still intact too, both sides!

The engine seems competely untouched. Rear bumper bust but bootlid off and ok as well as carpeting, aerial, spare wheel etc. Oh, icluding both rear light pods and the numberplate cover. Front light pods also off.

Passenger seat it out too.

Not sure what we will tackle today. I think jacking her up and doing the underparts will be best done with a few extra hands, especially those familiar with wishbones!

Rip has access to an engine hoist which we can also play with, again probably best with more hands. Lot under the bonnet un-familiar with so again knowledge appreciated.

Here are my snaps anyway, I'll load more after camera charge!

Speaker by centre.jpg

Driver view.jpg

Side view.jpg

No seat.jpg

[HJ2]

Ouch...

[Dico]

Jeez! Well done Rippers for your helping hand.

[texas2201]

very sobering...................

[cliff]

Hi Stef,

would be interested the driver & passenger carpets.

I know how you must be feeling, I was absolutely gutted when my Scimitar was T-boned and written off. I managed to buy a rolling shell and transfer most of the bits over, a lot of work though.

I will be in the UK for the first 2 weeks in January, more than happy to lend a hand with the spannering.

[dapinky]

I've held out as long as I could........ now the vultures are circling can i make 1 small request, which shouldn't affect anything you would want/need to keep........

as the drivers' seat is probably a tad beyond repair and probably not salvagable/saleable in its entirity, i need the plastic knob thingy (and the metal tabbed washer) for adjusting the rake of the seat - i haven't had one on the passenger side of the blue car since i've had it, and as i dont sit that side it's never really bothered me enough to go hunting for one from a usable seat - but i don't think yours would ever qualify as a good usable one anymore

[Stef]

Dapinky - shouldn't be a problem unless the whole seat is of interest to anyone??!

Got the hood off today, what a palaver that was!

Pretty much anything that can come off now is aside from the engine bay and underneath.

So next venture will require extra hands and expertese please!

And any parts now which you would like and know have been removed please say! I've made a list of earlier requests and will try go through that as well.

Hood off.jpg

Dash off.jpg

Fan 1.jpg

Fan 2.jpg

[JIMBO]

When we met up, I forgot to tell you how lucky you were.
Here are a couple of pictures taken of my first Elan +2, I have had back ache ever since !

SANY0053.JPG

SANY0049.JPG