Lotus Elite replica?
Discussion
So is no one other than myself interested in one?
I'm thinking an EXACT replica, right down to the construction methods and suspension geometry. New material tech would make it sturdier. You could use a 1.3 DOHC engine from a Suzuki Swift GTI with a pair of dual sidedrafts, for about 110hp.
I'd take one.
J
I'm thinking an EXACT replica, right down to the construction methods and suspension geometry. New material tech would make it sturdier. You could use a 1.3 DOHC engine from a Suzuki Swift GTI with a pair of dual sidedrafts, for about 110hp.
I'd take one.
J
You could try these people as they do a Lotus Europa replica and may know the people you are after ?
www.banks-europa.co.uk
www.banks-europa.co.uk
The one that was made years back was the Encore Super 95. It was an exact replica bodyshell, with a Spyder spaceframe chassis and a Ford CVH engine.
In theory, it would be possible to recreate a similar cocktail today. Spyder is still in business and turning out spaceframe chassis for old Elans.
No problem either in turning out an exact replica, right down to the structural monocoque and Lotus suspension - you can still obtain exact copies of the Elite bodyshell and all other parts to virtually recreate a complete Elite from scratch. Only bit which is next to impossible to obtain is the orignal Climax engine. Not sure whether I'd bother with that level of mechanical originality, if you are going to drop a modern engine in, though - a Spyder spaceframe version would be much stiffer, easier to build, and cheaper, and would still handle like a Lotus since it is a copy of the Elan!
I'd love one, with the right sort of engine fitted (plenty of nice, all-alloy Twin Cams around these days!), but the cost of sourcing all the bits from the various specialists who reproduce them would be exhorbitant, I suspect.
>> Edited by Martin_S on Saturday 23 October 18:19
In theory, it would be possible to recreate a similar cocktail today. Spyder is still in business and turning out spaceframe chassis for old Elans.
No problem either in turning out an exact replica, right down to the structural monocoque and Lotus suspension - you can still obtain exact copies of the Elite bodyshell and all other parts to virtually recreate a complete Elite from scratch. Only bit which is next to impossible to obtain is the orignal Climax engine. Not sure whether I'd bother with that level of mechanical originality, if you are going to drop a modern engine in, though - a Spyder spaceframe version would be much stiffer, easier to build, and cheaper, and would still handle like a Lotus since it is a copy of the Elan!
I'd love one, with the right sort of engine fitted (plenty of nice, all-alloy Twin Cams around these days!), but the cost of sourcing all the bits from the various specialists who reproduce them would be exhorbitant, I suspect.
>> Edited by Martin_S on Saturday 23 October 18:19
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