Old Lotus's never die

Old Lotus's never die

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Discussion

Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Saturday 21st May 2016
quotequote all
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.











Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Saturday 21st May 2016
quotequote all
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.

Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
quotequote all
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.


Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
quotequote all
Now that's an airbox

Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
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.

Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
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.

Biggriff

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
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.