I face a dilemna

[Guest saraphee]

I made the basic error of not visiting my project for a few days. My regular readers will recall that the tailgate surround had been cut down too low to take the correct seal, so Khun Tavee had arranged for it to go back to the fibreglass shop to have this reworked.

When the car was delivered I had a chat about the tailgate area and reminded Khun Surapong that he needed to repair the sills (rocker covers) as these had been damaged when extricating the car from the PO's basement garage.

Then I didn't go back until he proudly called me and told me the job was done. The tailgate area is fine, now here's a shot of the car as it has been returned to Tavee's place. BTW - they got it back to Tavee's place by pushing it, in a temperature of 41 Celsius, for about a kilometre down a busy highway and up a quiet lane!

Surapong told me that when he looked at the original sills he found them to be damaged beyond repair, so he decided to make me new ones. He searched the internet and discovered that I had a series 2 spoiler fitted, I need it to get all the air through that's possible in the Thai hot weather. So he thought that he would make series 2 sills to match. Unfortunately he didn't find many decent photos so you can see that his version is rather influenced by modern body kits.

Now what can I do - he's so pleased with himself he's given me the sills as a present!

He's the only man in town who does this sort of work and not only Surapong but all the Thai workers involved in the project - paint shop, mechanic, electrician, upholstery, auto glass - would be deeply offended if I rejected his gift.

It goes to show - when you have work in progress here, you must visit every day.

[GordonMasson]

Firstly, I should point out that if its not an Esprit, my knowledge of Lotus cars is very limited but here is my thinking for what its worth.

However I did have a big restoration job done on my Esprit and I had to get Club Lotus involved at one point because of difficulties with the garage who were doing the work so I know of the importance of keeping a good relationship, even if at times you don’t necessarily agree with everything 100%.

I think my first attempt would be to show them a picture of what it should look like and ask them tentatively what they think.

Ask them their opinion and if it detracts from the car at all. If you get them involved with any decision then you know how things lie.

If they go along with the fact that they should be a different shape then they will want to put it right themselves.

If they don’t seem open to the fact that they are wrong then I would back pedal, just say you were asking for their opinion etc and I would say just stick with what they have given you.

If you look at the spoiler it has a similar kick out at the bottom so not knowing what this is really supposed to look like I would say it doesn’t look that out of place.

That said I assume from your comments that they should be more curved under without the lip on the lower edge?

Next point as you have said, these guys are obviously doing their very best for you so to knock them back for getting it wrong may be something you live to regret.

Next I would say that these parts can possibly be removed at a later date if you feel you cant live with them????

If you can source proper parts later then perhaps there is an option to retrofit??? ( but knot knowing the car I could be wrong)

If they can be replaced then you have a clear shut line between the sills and the rest of the body work so getting a paint match might be easier than if it were the same panel.

Anyway that’s just my view on how I would play it but not knowing the full situation I could be miles off the mark.

Hope you get it resolved

[Emmerg]

I tend to agree - you could look at/show the photo of mkelite's yellow Elite of the same side view, or I will send you one of mine albeit it is red. You may also find that once it is painted yellow it will look OK. I know you want it to look more than OK though.

Best of luck !

[Guest mkelite]

hope my pic helps or you could get some S2.2 sills shipped from the uk from Lotusbits. sure they'll have some. best of luck. shes gonna look great. long live the Elite! regards. DC.

.............. extra thought ................. if you cant find good pics on the net, or do not get any shipped from the uk, we could do some pics n post them if you give an email address. regards. DC.

[andydclements]

If you look at the spoiler it has a similar kick out at the bottom so not knowing what this is really supposed to look like I would say it doesn’t look that out of place.

That said I assume from your comments that they should be more curved under without the lip on the lower edge?

I'm with Gordon, they do not look out of place. I feel that with yellow paint they will blend in with the rest of the style quite well. If you were after absolute originality, then you'd have to remove them and any other bits which are not original spec, otherwise I'd say keep them. If you decide after 6 months or so you would prefer original ones, then look to change them.

[lostcause]

Agreed with comments above, paint them yellow and see how they look (I like them), if not happy, get a set from Lotus bits, have them painted and fit them.... unless they are no longer removeable?

Car looks stunning by the way, I like the wheels

regards

Mark

[EliteMike]

Hi Rex

Nice that they think so much of your project, that he has given you the sills as a present. Must have been several hours of work to produce them.

They are not original, but then neither is bonnet, and in actual fact I like them, once painted yellow dont think they will stand out particularly, and as some one else said you have Mk 2 spoiler and it carries that shape back the car, and you could always in many years to come change them to some originals, if you felt so inclined, but I would go with them now.

Car is looking amazing, how are you getting on with bright work now, as you had little issue with that, did you find the parts you required from Lotus bits??

Mine is on hold at moment, as trying to clear far too many years clutter from loft, so can get further insulation fitted to keep heat in, a good government scheme i have to say, expect yours would work the other way to keep heat out.

Keep us all enthralled with you rebiuld.

Regards Mike

Mike

[Loose Cannon]

They don't look out of place, unless you stood the car next to another S2 which from your other posts isn't going to happen. After all the car has custom touches elsewhere it wouldn't really matter. Perhaps live with them for a while and if they start to grate get some originals sent over. I think if you went for some bigger wheels they'd blend right in.

Edited May 15, 2010 by LooseCannon