The Norfolk Mustard M100 in North Carolina USA

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Although i have been a member for several years, I never bothered to post an introduction.

I bought Elan 28019 in 2007 and have been slowly tearing it apart and cutting out and replacing the damaged body panels on the left rear of the car.

It looked like an easy project when I first saw it and the seller assured me that there was no hidden damage - what I saw was what was bad.

Paul P. was spot on when he warned me to "inspect the floor pan carefully, chances are it will be cracked, especially in the boot area !. Good luck"

Unfortunately, I was already back home and would have to wait until I got the car before being surprised by the amount of crushed fiberglass and SMC.

Finances and some medical issues slowed down the project but it is finally a solid body again and waiting for a full respray as soon as the weather cools down a bit out of the high 90's.

While waiting, I got a chance to replace the cam belt, idler, tensioner, water pump, thermostat and drive belts. Even after sitting for 5+ years, the wastegate was not limited in movement, the brakes are original but actually working well (not racing or even pushing it) and with just 20,000 miles on the clock, it is in very good shape inside and out.

I spent a lot of time figuring out the assembly/disassembly process for the body panels and worked hard to decide the cut lines where I was going to join the body to the new panels. Once I figured that out, I carefully cut up the original body and then cut the replacement "clip" to match the many angles and turns I decided to take so the repair would be as strong as possible.

Having no experience with fiberglass, I found a local shop that was qualified and had them actually bond the multiple pieces together. Strange to have a plastic car that is held together with urethane/butyl windshield adhesive.

The body shop was amused with the process but really impressed when everything progressed into a very strong body shell.

Thank you LEC for the many articles and research that your members have done for me as I would probably still be looking up the basics without your site.

If I can help anyone find parts or check the local breaker yards for decent used bits, please just ask.

Thank you to all,

John Callahan


This is what it looked like when I picked it up.


Finally finished cutting out all of the damaged body panels


Trial fitting the replacement panels

More pictures can be seen here: Yellow Car's procedures and progress

[lotos]

[GeoffSmith]

Well done John for keeping another one off the scrap heap.

I've checked your post and the image links are correct, so it's probably your user profile: User Control Panel | Board Preferences | Edit Display Options | Display images within posts: YES

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Well done John for keeping another one off the scrap heap.

I've checked your post and the image links are correct, so it's probably your user profile: User Control Panel | Board Preferences | Edit Display Options | Display images within posts: YES

Thanks Geoff.

I checked the profile and I have display images in posts set to YES. Maybe it is something like the avatar issue as I can't add an avatar either.

Could be Windoz / IE8 playing with the underlying code too.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Well, many moons have passed and the car is still a work in progress.

I have gotten ALL of the body issues sorted and had a reputable crew attempt to paint the entire car.

They complained that it was a bigger job than they expected and stopped adding paint coats which (was around 3 coats) made the finish a consistant yellow. Unfortunately, after further tests, it really needed to have at least 3 more coats to reach the correct mustard yellow tone:



It was a shame because the actual paint work and finish was extremely good. The brighter yellow looks too much like the Mustang and Corvette yellows which I never liked. You can see the color disparity by looking at the headlamp area and compare it to the bumper and wing. It is close, but the paint depth needs some more base.

After waiting 4 years and finally getting a medical release, I am able to work on it again so I am seriously looking for an affordable shop to scuff down the clear-coat and apply a few more base coats to get the "mustard" hue and then add a smooth clear coat.

Then, finally, I can start to reassemble it and finally get a chance to drive it more than up and down the block for testing purposes.

Maybe even be ready for LOG this year?

[DeanG]

It would be great to see you and your car at LOG. All the best.