Elite too Excel Re-body

[jaabarth]

I'm in the States and I'd like to refit my Federal '76 Elite with an Excel body. Can anyone confirm whether this is feasible and if so, and aside from the obvious steering swap, how much trouble are we talking about. Thanks.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Crikey!

You fancy the exact opposite to me.

I'd prefer an Elite with the more reliable Excel SE running gear!

The Elite represents the purer 70's design and has gained an increased following over here in the past couple of years.

[jaabarth]

To Lotus-e-clan: Funny you should say that...I have an Elite body I'm needing to get rid of....maybe we can work a deal....

[Lotus-e-Clan]

No way Hosé...my Excel is a minter!

You need to pursue the lower end of the market.....there's plenty to choose from at the moment, unfortunately.

[jaabarth]

To Peter K

I understand....I'd do the same! The question still stands though: will the excel body drop onto the elite chassis? Anybody? Thanks. (sorry for the delay in responding....computer down for a few)

[tonypoll]

I've heard somewhere - not sure where - that you'll only need to make a small adjustement to the body around the rear suspension. Try asking Lotusbits - they would know.

[bash]

check this site.
Its an elite body ( that gets heavily modified ) onto an excel chassis, but you will be able to see that the two bodies are not too disimilar underneath. Im sure the V8 will interest our readers across the pond too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotus_exce ... otostream/

Bash

[jaabarth]

Lotusbits...good tip. Thanks.

[hodders]

I've heard somewhere - not sure where - that you'll only need to make a small adjustement to the body around the rear suspension. Try asking Lotusbits - they would know.

You're probably thinking of this interesting presentation by Mike Taylor which is tucked away on the Lotusbits pages and has a description of the Excel-body-on-Elite-chassis on page 13:
http://www.lotusbits.com/improving_your_lotus.pdf