S2!

[drdoom]

Hello @JonSE. How've you been getting along with your project?

[JonSE]

Hi there,

By coincidence was checking into various things yesterday!

My paint man is looking to complete in a few months then it’s off to a U.K. specialist for the task of bringing the fully refurbished rolling chassis and body back together (also to make it as “functional” as a car as possible in car terms so it drives….)

I’ve recently moved house and while I’m as enthusiastic as ever, I want to try to avoid the “car in bits” scenario / distraction which it has a danger of becoming, so thought process is to make some decent progress off site to make it drivable at least until I can bring it back home again and work on some of the finer details.

Also need to build it a garage which is a bit of an ongoing project!

 

 

[JonSE]

Body shop progress, after a year of storage, they have the car in the shop and are really cracking on!

Now looking for post paint storage as the body will be ready earlier than the build up folks can accept it. 
 

Great to have turned this corner though as all the parts are nearly done and it’s then the reassembly….

More pics…

[JonSE]

I’ve not seen the body in person but admit to being shocked to even seeing it look uniform in primer!!!

It’s going to be a basic white colour as I’m expecting some knocks and damage during the panel refit as it’s been apart over a decade.

It’s ultimate purpose might be in amateur motorsport in gentle hill climbs and sprints so it needs to be just presentable as opposed to concours.

Had it been white (even roughly) it wouldn’t be getting this focus as I’d have got the mechanicals done and a working car to use for a few years then addressed any paint issues, so I’m really happy at reaching this stage now!

[TAR]

Those photos really show how much better the body is once it has a little paint. Looks like real progress  

[Elite 4.9]

congratulations on all the hand blocking. That is some dirty, difficult work and you are picking a color that will hide the most and also look clean when it is really dirty. Been there done that. lol

Looking great !!!!!

cheers, Richard

[JonSE]

Thanks! But for this stage I can lay no claim to the progress.

The paint was stripped by a GRP guy and the blocking and preparation is a friend of mine who does standard paint but also his own custom stuff like scooters etc.

No Lotus mechanical content but got chance today to change the oil in my mower and bike after a load of heavy gardening, then a nice blast around town to the harbour….

[JonSE]

Other panels have now been sprayed and worked to final finish.

Quick question - I’d like the car moving under its own power as soon as possible, steerable etc.

I expect the main dashboard ought to be ready to go back in to build around after the crash bar is fitted?

As well as the steering column and wiper mechanism, anything else that might hold up progress that I’m best to address while I have a little time for preliminary build up (chassis / engine / gearbox will be rolling stage so ready to go)….

Also I’ve asked before but I’m not clear, how do I amend the dash to give 2X Din size gap ahead of the gear shift? Is it the main dash or the arm rest piece that’s different on S2 versus S1?

Prefer the 2X Din size ideally if it’s an easy adjustment….

[LOTUSMAN33]

I made a mould to do mine but never kept it unfortunately as it broke on removal being so thin and flexible.

Its the centre console which gets altered to suit the early radios.

 

[JonSE]

Researching trimmers I found this interesting site…

So the other Bond car is here in the U.K.?

Also the registration mark shows as expired, anyone know the story on this?

https://www.dclass.co.uk/lotus-esprit-retrim

[JonSE]

What an evening, small job (maybe the last of the actual strip down?) and it’s bitten me.

Simple job to strip the dash-crash bar of its rolling boot lock mechanism so that I can get the bar itself powder coated and the boot lock rotating bit painted to neaten it / protect it from rust.

Won’t be seen once back in but a bit grubby and keeps my hand in.

WHAT A SWINE!

Various relays etc off no problem, got half a self tapper out then one end of the bar mount.

 The other - no way.

Eighth of a turn, backwards and forwards - no joy.

Got heat on him, no joy.

Tried to fill it from the other end with oil - nah.

Eventually conceded defeat and drilled 2X small holes into the bar just above where I hope the thread goes (other side does) and doused internally with oil and left to marinade.

New oil can left by previous house owner - waste of time, put more back on me than in the work space.

Hopefully can tease it out and not shear the bolt, as that turns it into a repair job - but was tempted to force it thus as my new drill can probably allow me extract the stud if I did.
Reckon the captive bolt bit has really expanded in the tube after being left so long.

Plus point is I’ve finally freed up some desk space and inspired by a few of you guys I’m going to try and do a bit as often as possible to start the ball rolling again after the house move.

This will include repairing the binnacle GRP where it got cut for a switch start to be inserted and then preparing the instruments for remounting as a module.

Idea is to get multi block loom in place so I can remove the complete binnacle if needs be when the refit starts a bit more quickly like on an S3.

Also got a monkey bike resto on the go for a similar period of time and I’m going backwards and forwards between the 2 now to keep my spirits up if a job gets too tough….

 

[Fridge]

Yes, it's good to strip those under dashboard items down and get them media blasted and powder coated satin black.

Otherwise they rust like originally. Don't forget the pedal box and heater box (if rebuilding and not going with an Economy 7 unit).

Keep chipping away. You'll need all those bits quickly once the body shell goes back on the chassis.

Your binnacle should repair easily. Filling that hole made for the missile switches, or whatever.

[JonSE]

Success!

Felt a bit stiff but worked it out this evening 🙂

 

[Fridge]

It's always while returning to a difficult job. Good result!