Intro and soon-to-be owner

[bdboyle]

Thanks to the admins for the approval...but, in the realm of introducing myself...

Long time (since 1980) Lotus owner here in the 'colonies' Cut my teeth on renovating and returning to the road a 1971 S2 Europa (serial 444R, currently stripped down by its current owner after going through a flood during a hurricane), winding through a '60 Elite, '74 Elite, '86 Turbo, multiple Europas to get enough parts to build a regional best of show S2 (693R) currently residing in the US Midwest.

Anyway, picked up a patina'd JPS Europa a few years ago, but with the number of years advancing, it's getting a bit of a chore getting in and out...so, put the feelers out, and a reasonable condition (I've been underneath; some surface rust, but poking all the areas with a long screwdriver didn't go through anywhere...) 74' Elite popped up. Some common bushings and such need refreshing. Body/paint is in decent condition (IOW nothing serious that a good mopping and wax won't be wasted on), seats centers front and rear need refreshing (vinyl sides are in good condition, so it's just replace the seat portion), headliner was done recently, dash binacles are not warped, and has the original spare Dunlop (which I know is not road worthy). Car was owned by the Wood Brothers (who were ACBC's pit crew at the Indy races), so it does have a history.

Current owner is willing to swap titles. Yeah, the Elite needs the carbs redone (the cam belt and tensioner has been replaced with a gates blue belt), and probably the rear brakes (shoot me now if the cylinders are toast) will need attention. Also, the nose seal of the diff seems to be weeping...but not dripping.

Oh, and windshield was replaced without destroying the (unobtainable?) trim pieces. That's something, right?

I know I'm on the other side of "the pond" here, and will probably mostly lurk and learn from your experiences...but thought I'd say hello (if you've been active in the Europa forums, you probably know me...) and make my presence known!

Bryan
Fall River MA
Longs SC
Too many Lotuses owned to list...:)

[KevW]

Welcome Bryan, you'll find a friendly and very helpful bunch on this forum

[rogbmw]

Welcome to the US bunch. I have an '87 Excel SE LHD. One of about a dozen LHD's in the US.

[rbgosling]

Welcome Bryan, we look forwards to hearing how you get on with your new toy!

[AndrewWebber]

Welcome, from a Europa and 70's Elite owner also

Andy

[Alan_M]

Welcome, hope you enjoy your new car.

[supraholic]

What a small world (wide web)! If it isn't a fellow X250 owner from the Jaguar forums.

[Pete Boole]

Hi Bryan - curretly doing a restomod on a '74 Elite myself. Looking forward to following your project!

Pete

[bdboyle]

Haven't posted much, and someone over on the Europa site reminded me that I've been remiss in doing so.

My TCS is still in my garage; arranging for the Elite (which is in NC) to get down to my SC home...and the new owner getting up to MA (which is where the Europa is...) has been, in between selling my PA house, moving half our possessions to SC and the other half to MA (don't ask...), and the new owner's press of business...just hasn't happened yet.

I do, however, have a service and parts manual...lol.

So, the current plan is for him to come up in June, pick up the Europa and flatbed it back to NC, I'll follow down, and swap cars into and out of his garage and get the Elite down to SC, where I have a 2-car garage in the new house...and a 10' clearance for a ceiling (which is calling out for a lift...). Current owner of the Elite did, however, offer to let me take the carbs (CDs) so I can rebuild. I believe he put in a new fuel pump, but says that when he turns the car on, gas spills out of the carbs, so, thinking that 1) the floats may be stuck, or 2) (more likely) the pressure on the pump is more than the 2-3 lbs that it should be.

Anyway, will have more as the car shows up in SC (a winter project to at least get running). Right now, I know that I have to work on the fuel system (the cam belt was replaced in the last year and engine turns by hand without any interference) and potentially the exhaust...but with the current tarriff situation, getting the replacement bits may mean that I need to find a pipe bender to get the over the axle bits and rear cans done custom. We'll see.

[bdboyle]

What a small world (wide web)! If it isn't a fellow X250 owner from the Jaguar forums.

Yeah...someohow, being a british car fan, it crosses marques and timeframes. I think you pinged me over there. Is there a 12-step program for the devotees of Lucas electrics and whitworth spanners?

LOL

[supraholic]

Yeah, I've got it even worse, not just British cars. I've got quite a few different classic and modern cars, have a wish list a mile long and am on several forums. Everything I have at least runs and drives for now, but I'm at risk of becoming a full-on car hoarder. I did finally sell one car a few weeks ago, first I've let go of in over a decade. Cars are like potato chips (crisps, I think they call them over there), you can't stop after eating just one. And there's so many different flavors, I like to buy the variety packs. I don't know which is worse, my automotive-induced poverty or high blood pressure.

[barker_001]

Welcome Bryan!

Finally another Bryan who spells his name in the "correct" way!