new member in need of help

[craig +2]

Hi everyone i have just aquired a shell and loads of bits off of a 1969 lotus elan +2 and i am about to embark on the mamoth rebuild, and wondered if anyone had any info that would be of any use to me were best to source parts from, theres currently no engine gearbox (whats best or original etc)..
all help greatly recieved !!!

Thanks

[Sy V]

Craig

Whilst a number of us own or have owned +2s, you'd be better off asking such questions here:

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=13

[Nige]

Craig,

Although I have never owned a +2 I do still have a 1968 S4 SE. So whilst this site is very much an M100 site I offer the following thoughts. Do you want to go all out for originality? If so you will need to source an appropriate Lotus Twin Cam engine and gearbox, built into an original Lotus Chassis with all original bits. The problem you will have though is that no matter how hard you try unless you are very lucky you will not be able to get a complete set of matching numbers (the identity of the car is in the body shell not the chassis, but engine and gearbox numbers will not be original to the identity of the car). In my opinion this is not impossible, simply very difficult you will however end up with a true 1969 driving experience, this is not a bad thing and may be what attracted you to the project in the first place.

Alternatively, you may be aware that Spyder engineering offer a service which puts +2 bodies and interiors onto new Syder chassis with new Spyder suspension and a modern Ford Zetec engine and gearbox the car is hardly original but it does give period looks with high performance and modern levels of mechanical reliability. Given that you don't have a complete car for restoration this would seem a viable option for you to follow if you are not slavishly attached to originality. There are also almost any number of variations in between these 2 options.

See http://www.spydercars.co.uk for more info.

Good luck .

[theelanman]

craig
Ive got 2 of em.....one I'm rebuilding and the other which I'm gonna break for spares......drop me a pm if you want bits and I'll see what I can do
cheers
gareth