1976 Elite restoration.

[Doris the dog]

Here it is

[TAR]

In your image, the main part of the airbox that's fixed to the carbs is for a 912 engine (S2.2 Elite and Eclat). The part the pipe fits on looks homemade. 

912 airbox has clamps, 907 airbox is screwed together.

https://www.rdent.com/manuals/elite_and_eclat/engine/eo912.htm

https://www.rdent.com/manuals/elite_and_eclat/engine/el.htm

🙂

[Doris the dog]

Thanks again, did they make them in Carbon back then ? If the front cover was home made they did a brilliant job with “ LOTUS “ lettering on the cover. 

[EXCEL V8]

They were always fibreglass - never carbon fibre.  Definitely no "LOTUS" badging so it does sound like a carbon fibre replacement.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

New trim clips for front screen. Having to modify rivet heads to fit clip. Also use a nut on top of rivet so river pliers clear trim clip. 
 

 

[Doris the dog]

Tube frame for grill behind the number plate. 
Plus this morning set carbs up , now need to rotate dizzy a whisker. 
 

 

[EXCEL V8]

What size rivets are you using?  I think the originals were about 2.5mm diameter - smaller than "normal".  Have you remembered to use blind rivets to stop water ingress?

Pete

[Doris the dog]

Hi Pete , have used 3mm to as holes in the body were enlarged. Yep all sealed up.  

[Doris the dog]

This should help reduce the diameter of air intake hose and fit passed the engine pulley. 
 

[Angus553]

Hi Tony 

How is it going with the MX5 brackets?

[Doris the dog]

Hi Angus, have made template , just need to get some sheet, that’s the stupid bit considering I had my own sheet metal fabrication company.  When I retired from engineering took loads of sheet around half a ton to the scrap yard.  

[Doris the dog]

That’s better!!

 

[Doris the dog]

Having the screen fitted tomorrow. As the body has been resprayed, should I remove the paint down to the fibre glass body so adhesive is directly on body. 

[EXCEL V8]

I will need an answer to this as well - forgot to tell the sprayer to mask off the screen bonding zone.  The original screen was bonded to the gelcoat.  Don't know if Lotus put screens in before spraying the body but I wouldn't think so, which means they left the area for screen bonding paint-free.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

Have given it a rub down now , as thinking the adhesive should between glass and body and now chance of paint flaking and letting waterin behind.  
Tomorrow morning will see how it goes, had a call from the fitter already, not the best call but we shall see. 

[Doris the dog]

Big step forward today, windscreen fitted.  
Had it fitted by Auto Windscreens. I supplied the screen which I purchased from Lotusbits.  
 

[EXCEL V8]

How did it go Tony - are you happy with it?

Pete

[Doris the dog]

Hi Pete, after the first phone call from the original fitter( pre visit call) left me thinking this is not going to go well, today the fitter who turned up was a different person ( original one phoned in sick😀).   
He had a quick look and said right have this in around 10 minutes. Straight onto it , body and glass edges cleaned and primed , bead of adhesive around aperture, screen laid on top, checked position , a bit of pressure applied in various places, bottom and vertical edges good. He was not happy with the top edge as screen was proud above the roof. So a piece of 3x2 wood was wedged between tunnel and roof to raise sagging roof , and perfect fit. 
lm fitting the trim around it later once I’ve decided what to do with colour.  
He recommended leaving the wedge in for a week.  Guess it’s not had a screen in for years and roof had sagged over time.  
He was very professional and yes around 10 minutes to fit.  
Definitely not worth attempting to do myself. 
Any doubts, just hope the adhesive can hold up the roof once driving on Norfolk roads. 
Well happy. 

[EXCEL V8]

Great result!  Never thought about the roof line sagging - my screen's been out for 3 years now.  Thanks for the feedback 😀

Pete

[TonyPoll]

About 2 year after I had my screen fitted it started to leak from the top. It seems the adhesive never sets completely, for flexibility, and the screen can gradually slide down over time. There should be a couple of spacers at the bottom to prevent this happening.

[Doris the dog]

Moving on to the interior of my Elite which the seats look to be covered in 1950/60s double decker bus seat fabric, what is the preferred material , leather or fabric ?

Need to start sorting this as one upholsterer I contacted today is busy for next four months. 
 

[Doris the dog]

Slightly butchered access to rear brakes by a previous owner. 
 

[Tony D]

Not at all uncommon. Well worth making a cover plate though and retaining by screws. 

Tony 

[EXCEL V8]

Here's mine - sorry - but blurry!

 

 

 

 

Tapping plates made from 25 x 5 stainless.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

Pete, your apertures are neat and professional, mine the previous owner had a blue and white striped apron.