New member - new owner

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Yeah so that went well......if not actually managing to get the car on the trailer is 'went well'. It's still at the previous owner's address (about 5 mins from where I live).

The problem we had is taking the car away......the trailer I borrowed was just too high (despite me taking loads of planks and bricks and everything else to try to make the ramp angle work).

So I'm going back in two weeks (owner is having an operation and then recovering so don't want to bother him) to get it.

I've paid for it however and the V5 is being sent off and I've got all the service history/old MOT's - most are there/original Lotus dealer brochures and what looks like press shots (could be mounted actually they're that good) and old club lotus magazines.

In the cold light of day it needs alot of fettling and tlc - it's suffered badly outside. the interior, especially needs to be taken out, dried, cleaned, re-fettled in places and then carefully put back.

I also need to get underneath the car too - might have to wirebrush and waxoyl various bits, particularly the back axle but until I get it on my ramp it's just another thing to add to the list. I'll take pictures and add once I've got it home.

[rbgosling]

I feel your frustration!! Never fear, it will be in your garage soon enough, and all this waiting will be forgotten history.

I've only trailered my Excel once (going to the NEC show, but hadn't got the engine running yet after the rebuild). I hired one of those trailers that tips up, got it on and off there no problem.

[AndrewWebber]

I have a tipping trailer maybe I could help.... South East England, where are you based ?

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Andrew - thanks for the lovely offer......but I'm in west Wales

It's ok - I've got a plan (going to hire one) and I had a phone call last night about a trailer I've seen on gumtree (about 15 months ago - long story but the owner lost a close family friend due to covid and just dropped off line, understandably but got in contact this week asking if I was still interested) that needs some fettling. it's a low one with a tip function and hand winch. So I'm seeing that next week too but the car is the priority so going to hire one and get on.

Thanks though.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Just a couple of photos to start off with - it's been a manic day all in all but really positive and we've made a start. There's a lot to do before I can go for an mot. And we've yet to get it on my car lift to check the underside. But even so. The dry-out has started, the kids are excited and although the paintwork is not good, it's the least of my concerns right now. It's all about the MOT.







Plan is to dry it out, re-fettle the interior (headlining has been done but the sun visors and wrap around piece needs to go back in - I've got that bit), do something with the dash (take it out? easy job? it's lost bits of it in the left hand passenger corner - might need recovering - is that even possible these days?) plus I need a window frame for the passenger side - it's basically gone with rust.

[DavidOliver]

Check the posts here on jacking the car, it is essential to avoid damage to fibreglass body.

Dave the cog.

[Tanz]

Just a couple of photos to start off with - it's been a manic day all in all but really positive and we've made a start. There's a lot to do before I can go for an mot. And we've yet to get it on my car lift to check the underside. But even so. The dry-out has started, the kids are excited and although the paintwork is not good, it's the least of my concerns right now. It's all about the MOT.







Plan is to dry it out, re-fettle the interior (headlining has been done but the sun visors and wrap around piece needs to go back in - I've got that bit), do something with the dash (take it out? easy job? it's lost bits of it in the left hand passenger corner - might need recovering - is that even possible these days?) plus I need a window frame for the passenger side - it's basically gone with rust.

I can't see the pictures?

[Pete Boole]

Just a couple of photos to start off with - it's been a manic day all in all but really positive and we've made a start. There's a lot to do before I can go for an mot. And we've yet to get it on my car lift to check the underside. But even so. The dry-out has started, the kids are excited and although the paintwork is not good, it's the least of my concerns right now. It's all about the MOT.







Plan is to dry it out, re-fettle the interior (headlining has been done but the sun visors and wrap around piece needs to go back in - I've got that bit), do something with the dash (take it out? easy job? it's lost bits of it in the left hand passenger corner - might need recovering - is that even possible these days?) plus I need a window frame for the passenger side - it's basically gone with rust.

I can't see the pictures?

Nor me

Pete

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Sorry about the images - clearly I'd managed to get the img thing wrong.....but I'm hoping I've solved that now.

I'll check the jacking topic - I've got a two-post car lift in the shed and won't do anything until I've found it.

I've also noticed that the sensor on top of the brake servo - the two prongs that you push the wire into (in the actual plastic cap) have rusted and fallen off. Rimmer bros for that sort of thing? I'll take a picture.

I've also got to get the seats out (undo from underneath the car right?) - the drivers seat needs attention - the base has fallen in - am thinking of putting some webbing on the bottom - is that what people do?

And then I need to get the under matts out - the bits underneath the carpets on the floor of the car (if possible) - they are absolutely sopping. In fact I'd like to take the entire interior out and get it in the house to dry out. And the dash - the dash needs fixing at the passenger side of things above the glove box where the fascia has peeled back - it's in an awful state.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

This is what I'm talking about (the brake servo sensor I think?);





It'll be a generic cap and switch I'm hoping - I'll have to try and find that end and put a new one on too from the wire side (that goes into the car).

[rbgosling]

I've also got to get the seats out (undo from underneath the car right?) - the drivers seat needs attention - the base has fallen in - am thinking of putting some webbing on the bottom - is that what people do?

Getting the seats out is, in theory, simple - 4 bolts each, head in the seat runner and nut underneath the car. The two problems are that the head is a hex bolt that you cannot get a spanner or socket on to because it's down in the seat runner. Best approach is to stick an open-ended spanner on it endways and use the runner to jam the spanner from rotating. Second problem is the nut will be rusty. When you put them back, get some allen-headed bolts, and new nyloc nuts, both stainless, to avoid future pain.

The seat cushion is held up by a thick-ish rubber membrane, hooked to the seat frames along each side. The rubber can split, leading you to sit on the floor. I've done some brief searches and not found a good replacement membrane yet, but that doesn't mean there isn't something out there somewhere that will work. My solution so far was to duct tape the two halves if the rubber together, then swap the driver's side with the passenger, so the passenger gets the dodgy duct tape one, which tends to see rather less use. Plus my wife weighs less than me, so less likely to break it! Time will tell if this holds up...

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Richard

I was thinking of something like this?

https://www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk/pr ... K4QAvD_BwE

I'd use strips of that under the actual rubber base to support the whole lot. Just an idea.....whether it works in practice.....remains to be seen.

My other thought, along the same lines as to use cable ties. I've got some v v strong (bought them from a tractor/farmer's spares place near me) ones that might be an alternative.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Also - are people buying stainless nuts and bolts from car builder solutions? Or somewhere else? or perhaps B&Q/screwfix? Aldi even?

[rbgosling]

Also - are people buying stainless nuts and bolts from car builder solutions? Or somewhere else? or perhaps B&Q/screwfix? Aldi even?

I've found a website called Boltbase. Every size, length, head type etc. you could want, and pretty cheap too. I only got to Lotus specialists for the bespoke ones, generally ones where you need a very specific length of unthreaded shaft before the thread. High street store bolts/nuts tend not to be stainless.

[tonypoll]

The bolts anchoring the seats are stressed, so make sure you get high strength stainless steel for these. You don't want the seat bolts sheering in the event of an accident.
I spoke about this with LotusBits many years ago, but I can't remember the specifics (A2 and A4 are vague memories). Perhaps someone else here can advise on the different strengths of stainless bolts.