What have I done?

[zagatoes30]

Hi All been pointed in this direction from other non Lotus related car forums after discussions on what I am planning to do!

Long time petrolhead with a primary focus on those from warmer climates mainly Italian, my user name should give anyone in the know a clue to one of my passions but other variants of that brand and other sister brands are or were in my small collection.

But why here you ask and what am I about to do?

Well being of a certain age cars of the 70s have a big pull for me and a chance conversation with an Italian friend over here highlighted he owned something that brought back memories and pending a discussion tomorrow it should be mine by the weekend.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't a Lotus and no point playing the guessing game I did on an Italian forum yesterday which took them nearly 4 hours to decide what I was considering as i am sure you will get there much faster.

So it's a 1978 Lotus Elite 503, ex UK car but now registered over here in Ireland which makes it pretty unusual. It's a project but looks like its all there and comes with lots of new or refurbished parts pulled together by the current owner. I suspect it will be a bit more difficult than the normal family jigsaw puzzle but hopefully over the coming months it will move towards completion.

I am sure I will be asking lots of questions and will probably need support and encouragement and hopefully I have come to the right place.

[Bibs]

Hi and welcome Andy! Congratulations on the Elite and good luck with the restoration?

Have you watched any of your fellow Irishman's @GTK's restoration videos?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl9I7RgD0i7JZ58CK17kKHQ

[EXCEL V8]

Hi Andy - looking forward to following your restoration!  Post up some photos!

Pete

[Tony D]

Definitely the right place Andy. You'll find plenty of support and encouragement. 

Tony 

[zagatoes30]

Thanks guys, off for final inspection this morning so fingers crossed might be a Lotus owner by tonight

[zagatoes30]

Certainly in need of TLC but she comes with a complete newly done leather interior, rebuilt Dell'ortos and a box of other new parts. Everything seems to be there apart from one piece of chrome trim bottom of passenger side rear window. Needs a water pump and fuel pump fitting but looks solid underneath no obvious signs or rot but will get her up on the ramp on Monday to further check the condition of the backbone. Engine turns over OK and was running before water pump was removed, apparently.

Plan is to get the engine back together to confirm she runs OK and no major issues then to strip and replace (where necessary) all suspension, steering and braking components. Then refit the interior and once she runs, drives and stops will get her tested and road legal.

Plan to run her over the summer and then get her repainted over the winter.

But as with all these type of projects which years each of the above happen will be dependent on costs as we work our way through.

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by zagatoes30

[EXCEL V8]

Fantastic!  Great to have a good interior.  Last time I asked, SJ Sportscars still had some nearside rear trims available.  It's the bits that fit along the top and bottom of the windscreen that are unobtainable new (and even very difficult used!).  

Is that a patch of gold paint at the back?

Pete

[zagatoes30]

I will start a Project thread for this and keep you all informed as I am sure I will be asking stupid questions along the way.

[black eclat]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to Lotus ownership.

I completed a restoration on my car several years ago so can help with any "how to" that you might have.

Michael.

[zagatoes30]

Thanks for the support I am sure I will be asking questions a long the way but looking forward to it

[hatters]

Hi Andy

Congratulations on your purchase of a great underated motor car ,it's the same colour as mine .The bigest job I have done on mine is remove the differential to replace the rear wheel cylinders and the brake shoes. It still wants quite a lot of work, I have had the carburettors reconditioned they are twin Dellortos it starts  OK at the moment  I still have to put all the interior back in but have to sort out the head linning first it also requires 4 new tyres and there is a crack in the windscreen It's a 1980 car and it hasn't run since 1990 I took quite a gamble buying it because it was a non starter. I will finish by saying I have owned one before and despite some little niggles and problems.When it was on song and all working correctly it was the best handling car I have ever owned

Good luck with yours and enjoy it

Roan