The Lotus Grand Tourers

We use tired gas struts to keep the hopper doors open during the paint process at work (we make road sweepers). We have a black plastic tube with the correct ID of the main body, cut along its full length so it can be clipped over the plated piston rod. When closed it is slid over the main body, whe...

Lovely car and well bought.

I hope it brings you pleasure and doesn't distract too much from the Elite...

Andy

Richard - yes a pal showed me the mention in the club mag. I did email you thanks but I think you posted elsewhere that your inbox was full so maybe you didn't see it. But thanks again! DC - don't get me started on Europa's! Yes, your list is good too... The dream drive is from Classic Cars magazine...

Although I am biased I can remember as a teenager thinking how space aged and modern the Lotus cars looked. Hi DC - yep same for me and almost the same comments I made in my 'Dream Drive' - see below. https://drive-my.com/en/test-drive/item/4113-1976-lotus-elite-501-type-75.html One day when the 't...

We lived in Leighton Buzzard then

I was born and grew up in Dunstable so Camden's was a mecca for a small car-mad boy. I used to pester my dad to take me over there!

Welcome! I am a relatively recent SE owner and all I can say is the information and knowledge from the guys on this forum is excellent, and some of the work that's been completed by members is truly inspiring. The Excel is a fantastic car and mine's definitely a keeper even if it keeps me busy in th...

( only new ones in Camden Motors, Leighton Buzzard when I was 14 years old ! )

Good old Camden Motors - where my Lotus adverture started in 1976 - aged 8...

Proper nice job Phil!

Good stuff that filler once you've gained confidence using it and have the patience to let it dry properly before sanding.

Cheers

Andy

Thanks Tony - been very close to getting an XK8 on more than one occasion (FHC) but never took the plunge. Your one looked mint!

I've had so many cars over the years I've lost count, but this is what the Excel replaced:- https://pwenqw.by.files.1drv.com/y4mgyAVx_DDxg8v2ZQ7kGSoJUyNlpBBuJXHkWlhsIvjyjcpWb8ccwTZve5LaX-JsNb9sLNMrkTgfqopxXJiKdgSYkkRjpraNEMozgAsYv-o8RqvUurVekQVIc-QgvHqyMyegNNATeuA6gDPkVNYol7FitJg1A1LO7wkFzX-rX82b_rj...

Hi Tezzan You can cut a small part of the excess vinyl/leather from under one of the panels (or seats) as Dave has said. I initially got the colourant/sealer as part of a 'Repair Kit' as my centre console was pretty rough. This also includes filler and glue and also 5 different tints to change the m...

Thought I would give a shout out for Furniture Clinic self-seal colourant. PO had tried to clean vinyl with meths with inevitable results plus 34 years wear and tear. https://ovljcw.by.files.1drv.com/y4muUPPXoq7w3qZL3B1c50sOBOJt8IKG9CAjVO06LBOBPmGT_QYjlVUci1rC8umgInx3V6tR45lsuHBdIdNIhqGJ6aPrswq3pyNE...

Cheers - nose seal looks ok, offside output well dribbly but providing good corrosion resistance to anything that side. Output seals look easy enough, made simpler by having the exhaust off of course. Wouldn't fancy nose seal having done one on a land rover a few years back. And yes both over-pipes ...

Alan, just a note to say thank you for providing the detailed instructions on this, it's very much appreciated.

I'd always struggled to work out how to upload images but using your method it worked first time for me!

Cheers

Andy

Well, some good progress on my growing list of improvements. Both bumpers off and repainted over the New year period, lights refurbished, engine bay detailed and cam covers refinished among many other jobs. Not been on furlough so have been putting a few miles on it to and from work - what a great c...