Old Lotus's never die

[Biggriff]

They just get like this.....

It's off my 1990 Excel SE which is being restored. Car is immaculate but needed suspension and brakes refurbed and rebushed with new dampers and springs.

Rusty Spring platforms because Lotus in their infinite wisdom decided not to have a drain hole so they just rotted.

Engine mount, or what's left of it. Had to fabricate a new one.

Radiator decomposed.

It is 26 years old so I can forgive it.

[marshalla]

Nothing major then.

A few of the owners' "club" members have had good experiences with the far-eastern aluminium radiators that are available on ebay if you're looking for a replacement.

[Biggriff]

Thanks. Will look and see what they are like.

Car is generally very smart but the suspension was always on the rebuild list as soon as I bought it. Need to Regas the air con as well, but it's a car for fiddling with in this day of black plastic engine covers and ecu's.

[marshalla]

P.S. - what sort of state are your door beams and window frames in ?

[Biggriff]

Everything above the chassis line seems fine, but I will be going inside the doors when it returns from the Lotus Hospital. I'm planning on replacing the speakers at some stage.

[RONV]

Hi, keep at it you will only get better and all the work will be rewarded in the end remember you are only looking after a classic car for the future owners and to keep it on the road. Ron.

[RONV]

My engine bay just keep at it

[Biggriff]

Now that's an airbox

[Biggriff]

The fun factor deepens. Now got to replace the handbrake shoes as they are down to the metal and backing plates non existent (they are unobtainable as well).

Apparently the previous Lotus Specialist was chasing the cooling issue by mullering the thermostat instead of actually replacing the radiator which was leaking. Thankfully that part has been reconditioned and is being returned.

My biggest moan is that suppliers claim to sell parts but have no stock and one well known Lotus place said they only send out parts if they aren't busy.

Rant over!

Thank god the guys that are doing the work are 100% reliable even if progress is slower than I would have liked.

[marshalla]

Brake shoes are available, but perhaps not in Lotus packaging : http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&...

I don't know whether either of these is on your list for suppliers, but SJ Sportscars in Crediton and Lotusbits in Marton are two of the best for Excel parts, in my experience.

[Biggriff]

The former were the ones who only post when not busy.

I am on Lotusexcel.net, but locked out as I forgot my password and they haven't sent me a link to get back in despite asking. Given up. Life's too short.

Hopefully no more bad news now as everything is disassembled so it's all off to get blasted and coated before being put back together.

[marshalla]

Biggriff said:

The former were the ones who only post when not busy.

I am on Lotusexcel.net, but locked out as I forgot my password and they haven't sent me a link to get back in despite asking. Given up. Life's too short.

Hopefully no more bad news now as everything is disassembled so it's all off to get blasted and coated before being put back together.

Steve at SJ is a funny bloke - but not quite as funny as Miles

PM me your username and I'll get the password reset for you.

[Biggriff]

The former were the ones who only post when not busy.

I am on Lotusexcel.net, but locked out as I forgot my password and they haven't sent me a link to get back in despite asking. Given up. Life's too short.

Hopefully no more bad news now as everything is disassembled so it's all off to get blasted and coated before being put back together.