Which issue is the Lotus vs Lotus article in?
NOHOME wrote: You have the right idea but are executing on the wrong car.The full potential of the CF switch would best be found by doing the Elite; it was a full fiberglass monocoque to start with. A CF variant would weight practically nothing. As for an engine, I will reiterate my "classic swap for classic cars" mantra and remind people that the Miata 1600 is officially a classic and comes with one hell of a nice box. There were a lot of them made and they will be supported for a long time. That is a wining formula.
I was thinking that Elan bodies were being re-manufactured, but not the Elite. But, yea, that would be the better car to make a CF version of it. Would be spectacular. That car really stunned Alfa, when they did the light SZ's for the 1300 class- the Elite obliterated them.
And as I said earlier ... the Elite is a bit better looking design.
fiesta54 wrote: Which issue is the Lotus vs Lotus article in?
Current July, 2015 issue
Gary wrote: In reply to NOHOME: And the Elite is even better looking than the Elan!
Gary,
Your opinion, not mine.
In reply to alfadriver:
Great article but I also think a twin cam Europa should have also been included in the comparison.
In reply to TR8owner:
I see the idea of incouding the Europa in the comparison, but I think keeping it to the two most iconic old Lotus models makes a lot of sense.
Yes, the Elite was all glass, and the first real departure from the 6/7. And the Europa was a major step being mid-engined.
But neither really are as iconic as the 7 or Elan.
And for the sake of this idea- seems like Elan body plugs may be easier to find than either the Elite or the Europa.
(although, a really well done Europa would really rock. In theory, could easily get rid of the steel backbone- do that whole thing in CF, and integrate into the body.)
Agree that the Elite is a great looking car - I used to have to wade through them in vintage racing (they could be fast or reliable, but not both). They did have issues with the suspensions tearing loose from the GRP unibody chassis though.
If you want a hot modern engine, for an Elan, look to either the GM 1.4 Ecotec for 138 bhp before tuning (the original Elan had about 108 net in big valve form) or go up to a 2.0 Ecotec or Ford Ecoboost (or a 1990s era Zetec if you like).
not the best of views... but there isn't a great deal of room... not only for the engine... but the gearbox has very limited space
It might also be worth noting that part of the point behind the article is that the Elan and the Seven were both sold new at the same time (yes - I actually read the whole article... 
).
And did you mean to say 'elan' instead of 'elise', in the upper LH corner of page 68?
I was thinking that Elan bodies were being re-manufactured, but not the Elite. But, yea, that would be the better car to make a CF version of it. Would be spectacular. That car really stunned Alfa, when they did the light SZ's for the 1300 class- the Elite obliterated them.
MK14 Components in the UK are making new tubs for the Elite, but they aren't that cheap.
Tony Thompson Racing in the UK sells Elan body and chassis parts http://shop.tonythompsonracing.co.uk/bodywork--chassis-10-c.asp
They sell light weight body shells from standard road weight down to approx. 95Lb's for a super lightweight version. But it's gonna cost you about $7,500 plus probably at least another $1,000 to get it here. They also do Chassis from $2.5-3K so again not cheap.
I don't know the quality, but if they are anything like the original then let’s be honest the fit and finish was crap. I can't help thinking you'd be better finding a rough car over here and starting from scratch. Essentially making a completely new body from the outside in and pull new molds. While the backbone chassis worked well for the time and manufacturing costs, it really wasn’t' very strong torsionaly and had almost zero side impact protection. I'd start with the mindset of a proper space frame with a thin carbon body draped over it.
gjz30075 wrote: And did you mean to say 'elan' instead of 'elise', in the upper LH corner of page 68?
Caught that too!
Elan for me. It's all the pretty.
For those lambasting those asking for links, I just got mine in the mail three days ago or so. Good article!
Now do it again but bring both to my house so I can sample both and give editorial content in return.
gjz30075 wrote: And did you mean to say 'elan' instead of 'elise', in the upper LH corner of page 68?
Dammit! Typos are so insidious...
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
With so many carbon fiber chassis cars out there, I'd much rather do an honest CF body/chassis instead of a space frame. Heck, integrate the steel backbone as a carbon fiber tube. Like a modern formula car.
I suspect this was an article of opportunity as both cars were on the Orange Blossom Tour. I don't have the issue at hand to check, but I remember seeing the event sticker in at least one windshield.
Thus the choice of cars.
One of my biggest regrets was I had a chance to purchase an Elan coupe that had been used in ProdSports racing in the late 60's. It was a disaster missing the front clip and engine/tranny the insides were of course gone, but it had a cage, flared rear fenders and knockoff minilite wheels. I knew it would have been a total rebuild, but it would have made a killer fun car. All for the low price of $2200. I think of that car and wonder what could have been, and if it was maybe a real 26r.
Keith Tanner wrote: I suspect this was an article of opportunity as both cars were on the Orange Blossom Tour. I don't have the issue at hand to check, but I remember seeing the event sticker in at least one windshield. Thus the choice of cars.
Judging from this article, the Orange Blossom Tour needs smaller windshield stickers.
Even the one on our Miata looks huge. I can't imagine trying to drive a Lotus with one.
I always wanted a Lotus Excel for some dumb reason.
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