The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi

I am looking to get myself an Elite as a new project, have seen a few available in the last few months.
From this a question has come up regarding chassis condition, would anyone be able to advise as to availability of either steel or galvanised chassis?

Regards

Lotusbits bought some original jigs for the chassis but I can'r remember if it was just the Excel they had. Unless a chassis is really gone it's often repairable.

Welcome by the way!!

Pete

Thanks, will take a look.

Am hoping the cars i have seen have repairable chassis, intention would be to keep as original as possible.

Main area i have concern with is the rear cross member and the felt and wanted to have an idea of options ahead of any purchase. (Have limited space but have ample patience)

Lotusbits part out old cars. At any one time there are usually several chassis stacked up by their workshops, although these may be from various different Lotus, so no guarantee they will have an Elite. Apparently an Excel chassis (galvanised from factory) can be used with minor modification?

You can only use an Excel chassis if you also run all the suspension/diff etc.. None of the Elite rear suspension/diff parts will fit onto the Excel chassis.

Pete

There is an Elite being offered on FB elite/eclat/excel pages

Ideally i would want to replace with (and maybe controversial) non galvanised chassis.

So busy keeping my eyes open for any coming up for sale, thats if the original cannot be repaired.

Will take a look on Facebook to see what is about.

There's a chassis on ebay but it's badly damaged and isn't the S2 it says it is.

Pete

Did see this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257097666785 ... media=MORE

That's the damaged one.

Pete

What's your logic for not wanting a galvanised chassis if a replacement is necessary?
Lotus realised the error and produced the S2 elite using a galvanised one. It's a direct replacement for a rusted out S1 version.

The Excel chassis isn't an easy option as you need to make major bodywork alterations for it to fit.

Plan would be to keep to keep as close to as built and within budget as possible, ultimately i have nothing against utilising a galvanised one (at the right price and not damaged).
Also i have not worked with galv, so for repairs happy welding the older chassis. (Or be it less likely required)

You're right about the galv - nightmare to weld, but hopefully not needed.

Pete

If anyone knows of any Chassis (Elite/Eclat) please let me know.
Thinking it may well be simpler to replace than repair, will slow for a reasonable comparison to be made between the two options.

Have you actually already aquired your Elite project that needs a new chassis or are you just assuming any future project will automatically need a new chassis?