1991 Elan SE - chosen for Enrights blue collection

[GeoffSmith]

Aaaaahhhhh, but this one is Antigua Blue.....

Aren't they all? TOSSPOT!

[Rambo]

Neil Wright - The NEW TRUE BLUE!

And I think the True Blue no. plate C10 DUS is still for sale Neil if you want to complete the image

[Enright]

Neil Wright - The NEW TRUE BLUE!

And I think the True Blue no. plate C10 DUS is still for sale Neil if you want to complete the image

You can go off people you know!

Well done Neil, another one saved!!

More like "collected" - it's going to look like Hethel forecourt for sufferers of OCD by the time I've finished!
I believe it's the fault of the Shell Sportscar Selection, and a previous ex girlfriend who once said "boys never grow up - their toys just get bigger".
If I hadn't somehow managed to amass 5 of the little blue models, I wouldn't feel the need to replicate them with full-size versions.

[yilmazmotorsport]

I'm wondering how much Elan's Turbo left for present time.

[Fredjohn]

I'm wondering how much Elan's Turbo left for present time.

Looking at autotrader and ebay in UK about 10

But that includes at least 2 n/a's

[Enright]

In case anyone was wondering, there HAS been progress - in fact lots of it!

As this is now supposed to be turning into a project thread, I wanted to show my starting point on the journey.
So before the details of the eBay ad get lost in the mists of time, here are copies of the write-up and the pictures:

I'm selling my Lotus Elan M100 due to getting divorce, the car was on the road 2 years ago but is now in the garage with a full silcone hose kit half fitted and new seat covers ready to install. I have a cambelt kit and waterpump to go with the car as well as other spares I've collected over the years.

The car had a full re-spray 2 years ago also, 4 brand new Falken tyres, and Moutain Chip. Elan Scan cable also included with car.

Mileage is approx 124K. I have all the parts for the car that have been taken off.

Basically when the car was taken off the road the plan was:
Cambelt, tensioner and waterpump change (of which I still have)
New oil cooler - which is fitted and tested.
Oil and filter change (done)
Seat centers reupholstered in alcantara which have been done but not fitted back on the seat frames.
Seat foam repaired (done)
Heat seat kit fitted (pad on one seat but not wired in)
Silicone Hose Kit (blue) not fully fitted some fiddly hoses to do.
New Tyres (fitted) Falken
New AUX elect waterpump (fitted)
New spark plugs.
New Plug leads purchased but not fitted yet)
New B-Post caps (not fitted yet)
New Fuel filter (not fitted yet

This car is an unfinished project and will need to be trailed away.

Payment for the vehicle will need to be transfer direct to the Solicitors account dealing with the Divorce these details can be provided after the auction.
NOTE: I can't accept offers for the car outside of the auction or payment in cash.


Answers to questions:

Does the can need any welding for the MOT?
Not that I'm aware of bearing in mind it has been dry garage stored and is a fiber glass body with Galvanized chassis.

Is the Hood in good condition?
Yes the hood is in good condition (no rips or tears) but as with any elan the hood rubbers could do with replacing at some point.

Is there any history with the car?
Yes I have the original service book and a folder of invoices and receipts.

[Enright]

Here are the rest of the pics in the original ad:

[Enright]

Aaron was a top chap to deal with, and was very accommodating about sorting out a mutually convenient time for me to go and collect the car, which finally happened a couple of Saturdays ago. It had been stored in a lovely environment and, other than having a few missing coolant hoses and unfinished re-upholstery issues, it was a fine looking example. The re-spray (my primary reason for buying the car) was a quality job. It also came with a big file containing every MoT and bill it had ever been treated to, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the previous owner was a certain Will Blackham - Will only ever bought and sold good Lotuses.

Aaron helped me to get the car onto my towing dolly – a method I WOULDN’T recommend (for both legal and logistical reasons), and I had a generally very steady drive back to Nottingham from Kings-Lynn. Or at least it was steady until I got onto the A52, when I came over the crest of a hill to find the road closed by the police in front of me, due to someone having put their car on its roof. I had to try to turn the whole kaboodle round in the entrance to a field, and it all became a right mess.

Towing dollies are just about OK for short hops or until you need to reverse with them, and then they are almost impossible to manoeuvre, jack-knifing at every opportunity. I nearly burnt-out the already worn clutch on my Mondeo, and even managed to scratch the Elan’s bumper on the trailer’s winch. So much for the flawless re-spray! Luckily a guy who was a bit of a trailer expert stopped and helped to direct me out of the pickle I’d got myself into, and I got back home without any more major dramas - just a couple more stops to check that the load was secure and to show a mate what I’d just gone and bought (AND what I’d gone and done to it).

Getting the car back down onto terra-firma when I arrived home was as usual a stress-inducing process, but as light faded I managed to get everything just about where it was supposed to be and take a pic of “the fleet”.

[Enright]

Then it was to my traditional starting list of stuff to do. Please don’t get the impression from the following list that the car is a basket-case – it stands every chance of being an outstanding car when everything is done. Many of the jobs are reminders of checks that I had to do on the previous Elan I bought, and things that I didn’t want to forget to verify that were OK on this one. Some might question the order of some of my “Priority Jobs” too, but I like to sprinkle a few “quick wins” in there to keep the motivation up. Anything with a star is either a roadworthiness or an imminent running/safety issue:

Priority Jobs:
Replace Carpets
* Repair Seatbelt Latch Cover & Wiring (O/S) & replace Seats
Replace Badges (Rear)
* Fit Coolant Hoses & Expansion Tank
Repair Heater Controls & replace with 6 Position
* Repair Indicators
* Repair Coolant Pump Wiring & check Fans
* Check CV Boots
* Check Headlamp Control & Delay Modules
* Check Windscreen Wash/Wipe

To Do List: Check
* Check Alternator Belt
* Check Brake-Pipes (and Protect)
* Check Bulbs
* Check Coil Packs (After startup)
Check Dashboard/Fascia for Blown Bulbs
Check Door Trims & Door Trim Fasteners (Inc Orange Clips)
* Check/Adjust Emissions (check no air leaks) (After startup)
* Check Exhaust (After startup)
* Check/Clear Fault Codes (After startup)
* Check Oil Pressure & Level (After startup)
* Check Roof & Door Seals (Sikaflex, Seatbelt Lengths & Cling)
Check Stereo & Speakers
* Check & Adjust Timing (After startup)
* Check Turbo, Free & Port Wastegate
* MoT Test

To Do List: Clean
Clean Bodywork, Hood & Rain-X Windows
Clean & Re-paint Cam & Spark Plug Covers
Clean & Re-paint Brakes & Wishbones
Clean & Re-paint Chassis
Clean Engine Bay (WD40), Interior (Cockpit Shine), & Boot
Clean Intake Plenum, Injectors & Throttle Body
Clean & Re-paint Windscreen Surround
Clean Wheels (Cleaner), Replace Centre Caps, Fit Wheel Nut Covers

To Do List: Fit
Fit ESM Switcher System then S2 Everest & O2 Sensor
Fit K&N Air Filter
Fit Pre-Cat & O2 Sensor
Fit Recirculating Dump Valve & Check for Air Leak/s
Fit Throttle Cable
Fit Wheel Arch Liner Fasteners
Fit Wind-deflector

To Do List: Repair/Replace
Replace B-Post Caps
Replace Brake Discs
Repair Bumper (N/S/F)
Replace Centre Console & Latch
Replace Carpet & Light Covers (inside boot)
Replace Dashboard Badge
Replace Door Trims (Upper)
Replace Door Carpet with Trims (Lower)
Replace Fusebox in Passenger Footwell
Replace Gearknob & fit Short Shift Kit
* Refurbish Headlamp Mechanisms, Check Alignment
Replace Immobiliser with Toad Remote Alarm System
* Replace Indicator/Sidelight Lens
* Replace Number Plate (F)
Repair Radio Aerial (heatshrink)
Repair Seatbelt Wiring (O/S)
* Replace Cambelt, Idler, Water Pump, Anti-freeze & De-ionised Water (check leaks sealed)

Shopping List:
Boost Pipe Grommet
Outrigger repair kit
Map pocket & rear interior trims
Wheel Centre Caps

Nice To Haves:
Seat Heater Kit
Cybox Exhaust
Aircon System

So if that’s how the list started, what’s happened since?

Well, I started by finishing off the re-trim of the seats. Aaron also gave me a load of spare foam-backed fabric and alcantara, so I took the upper kidney-shaped inserts out of the door trim panels, and trimmed them to match. I was really happy with the result. Not only do they feel much more supportive, but the alcantara feels warmer in the cold and doesn’t burn your bum when it’s hot! It isn’t as slippery as leather either, which adds to the aforementioned supportiveness.

As the new Elan will ultimately become my son’s (in about 15 years!), I told him that we had a choice of what colour the interior could be, but I would let him make the decision as to which one to put in the new Elan: so did he prefer the blue alcantara, or the red-striped leather? He chose red-striped leather, and I was very pleased with his choice. The alcantara is really classy but it just looks a bit... plain.
As a result the blue alcantara re-trim has now all gone into the Elan that I bought last year. Around late Spring next year I plan on selling that one as a road-legal, roadworthy car that just needs a re-spray to turn it into a real head-turner. This is a complete transformation from the wreckage that I hauled back from London a year and a half ago.

I already had a set of brand new red carpets which I bought from Lotus during one of their sales a few years ago. So as I’d already got the seats out of both the new Elan and my original, I thought I would take all of the red interior out of my original and put it in the new car, then treat my original to a complete new replacement interior later. This is major project creep, but as I have most of the bits already, I figured “what could possibly go wrong?”
Then I found the rusty out-riggers – pants!
I hasten to add that the rust was far worse on my original Elan than on Aaron’s, which will only require minor treatment.

Yesterday I finished off the fitting of the Samco hose kit on the new Elan. At some point its radiator had been replaced, and in doing so the bleed screw had been snapped off (possibly due to the radiator being fitted off-square). So I removed the L/H headlamp pod, opened out the bleed screw hole in the clamshell, and got on with refurbishing the headlamp mechanism while I had access to it (more project creep).

That got me to the point where I’ve now got two decent interiors (one completely re-trimmed), and two running cars, which should have been what I was aiming for. It’s just that the new interior has gone into the oldest car, and the newest car isn’t going to have everything put back in until I can replace the original disgusting foam/soundproofing with some closed cell foam.

Confusing enough?

[Saltire]

Hi Neil, several things of interest here. In particular, when you get round to the Toad alarm, do you intend to fit yourself, or will you outsource to an alarm fitter? Either way, would be interested to know which you chose, why and how you went about it.

Understand this may not happen for weeks/months, and happy to wait!

[Enright]

Thank you for your interest - it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself!
The Toad came with the last car, and I was told it never worked properly.
When I investigated how it had been installed by the last "professional", I wasn't surprised.

So I carefully removed each component and put them all to one side.

I figure that if I can make a thorough job of wiring it in, then I should be able to get an alarm fitter to cast an approving glance over it to verify that it's been fitted correctly.
That should be enough to prove to a prospective insurer that it has been installed properly. It's not a case of pulling the wool over anyone's eyes - I'd just like it to be right.

[Saltire]

Understand completely; that's the way I feel about mine too. I am planning to remove the temperamental S2 alarm, and replace with Toad, wired properly Will probably make a start when I take the car off the road for the winter and do some other dash wiring at the same time.

Your whole project sounds roughly where I am, although I'm starting from a position of much less Lotus knowledge, and my car is on the road with an MoT. I'll be starting my project thread before too long . . .

[tb10]

Thank you for your interest - it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself!

Did someone say something.......................?



It'll be ready for the West Mids Christmas Bash then Neil eh?

[cliff]

Thank you for your interest - it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself!
The Toad came with the last car, and I was told it never worked properly.
When I investigated how it had been installed by the last "professional", I wasn't surprised.

So I carefully removed each component and put them all to one side.

I figure that if I can make a thorough job of wiring it in, then I should be able to get an alarm fitter to cast an approving glance over it to verify that it's been fitted correctly.
That should be enough to prove to a prospective insurer that it has been installed properly. It's not a case of pulling the wool over anyone's eyes - I'd just like it to be right.

I doubt you need an alarm fitter to cast an eye over it, if it works properly and you are happy with it then it should be ok, unless you need a cert for the insurance. I have one but have been told by several insurance companies they don´t need it.

I had a Toad alarm fitted by a so called specialist recommended by several people on here. Some time later, when I looked at the wire routing, I was appalled, I was sitting in the next room, so why not ask? Routing the boot alarm wire loose in the hood bay is not a great idea. Some of the other stuff was even worse! Should I fit the bonnet alarm micro switch properly or should I just screw it into one of the rubber bungs covering the shock absorber bolts? Duh!!! Then when I took a closer look and found wires soldered together and wrapped in black tape, I was disgusted! I have spent quite some time bringing this install up to standard. I have replaced the soldered mess with aviation grade environmental splices and used a nice modern invention called heat shrink, something this clown had never heard of.

Car electrics are not difficult (ok, easy for me to say, I trained as an aircraft electrical/instrument fitter) but there is no mystery involved, only common sense. I have to hold qualifications, but any muppet with a soldering iron and a multi meter can call himself an auto electrician. Don´t get me wrong, there are a lot of good people out there but sadly there are also a lot of cowboys.

[Enright]

It's nearly 3 years since I added anything to this thread - in fact I had trouble finding it!

There was a big overlap with another Elan restoration project, which was sold last September. After that, with the weather deteriorating and nights drawing in, I was able to secure some space in a neighbour's garage to store this one. My hope was to use the garage space and easy access to make progress on it over the Winter, but it didn't quite pan out like that.
In fact, by the time I pulled the car out in May, it hadn't been touched and the alternator had seized.
Also the respray (that had been pretty fresh when I first bought the car) was looking somewhat second-hand after the neighbour used the Elan as an impromptu shelf!

The car spent a few months outside (it doesn't have great seals so I fear for the out-riggers), and I got the alternator off and had it repaired, but didn't quite get round to re-fitting it. Then another garage came up about a month ago, and although it's slightly further away, at least this time there's only me who has access to it, so with the help of the friend who I'm renting it from, I was able to get the Elan back under cover.

Luckily then a new Elaner (SimonW) appeared in my area, and he needed help with his. This proved to be a motivator as I was able to get his running properly, and in return he provided the necessary kick up the @r$e for me to start working on mine again. The weekend before last we were able to finish the fuel-pump change on my original and get it started and running. And last Sunday we re-fitted the alternator on this one, defeated the tetchy immobiliser and got it going again too.

I've now ordered an O2 sensor for it so that I can install a permanent S2 Everest Closed Loop conversion (no more messing about with gas testers and CO pots), and hope I can keep up the momentum, even if it's just a little job or two per week.

[dapinky]

Always nice to see/hear of a re-started enthusiasm.

We all know that real life can get in the way of things, and it's all too easy to leave things locked in a garage awaiting the "I'll get round to it sometime" to come round.

I'm sure that once you get it to the stage that it is running properly, and you start to drive it, it won't take long to regain momentum/love for the car(s). A smile from a great drive has that effect on most of us.

As you know (and you are pretty similar in outlook), I believe that the reliability/running of a car far outweighs the cosmetics - that can come in time.

You just need to stop spending all your time/money on the Mountain of Tariq (although that is probably too big an ask, and I'd be the same in the circumstances) and get the spanners twirling.

[John_W]

It's nearly 3 years since I added anything to this thread - in fact I had trouble finding it!

You should just have started another duplicate one.

Good to see you back, Neil. Shame you won’t be at Hethel, but I hope to see you at an event next year.

John

[Steve A]

It's nearly 3 years since I added anything to this thread - in fact I had trouble finding it!

You should just have started another duplicate one.

Good to see you back, Neil. Shame you won’t be at Hethel, but I hope to see you at an event next year.

John

Glad to see your getting back into it Neil

[Jamie N]

Same here glad to hear, always been a respected member with a friendly persona, not a trait shared by everyone here! .
Still messing about with 206 CC's Neil?.

[chrisP]

Good on you Neil - keep going!!