I've just done a deal on a new project! I've been hankering for something historic for a while and just gone and bought a 'car' the same age as me!

It'll become a historic race car (Appendix K possibly - scary!) eventually but not soon.

It's a Lotus 26R - it's the lightweight version of the baby Elan - there's a finished one here. Mine wont be built to that spec (or that price!). They are full of trick, expensive bits 'so it'll take me some time to pull it all together.

I've only done the deal on the chassis and suspension bits for now but will try and get the shell soon, once I've got some more space!

And here's a picture of a finished one.

Wish me luck!

nice

Cool

Always had a soft spot for old Lotii

Very nice worth while project.


Mike

Like the look of that! How 'long term' are you planning on? What's the target date..keep us updated.

Ian

ooh, very nice.

like a lot!
Make sure you get the shell even if it's ratty as IIRC they are thinner GRP than the regular shells.

Even in full race trim they were only 600kg

Can I have a go when it's done?

Thanks guys - I can see a blog starting!

Some of the parts will be hard to find and I may need to spread the cost (price examples!) so I think it'll take a while!

Wyn

Always like them

That is a lot of wedge

Does del know about this one, just in case I put my foot in it....

Not yet! About to tell her..............

Id love to do a resto on an old lotus, but I simply couldnt bear to restore it without modifying it.

For instance, those period lowback seats would have my sphincter twitching every time I drove it, especially if I was considering competition.

Likewise, I dont enjoy burning £20s and hence the idea of building a lotus twink on carbs makes me want to cry. Id be wanting to use something like vauxhalls 160016v on proper injection and a nice reliable 5 speed type 9 or manta getrag box.

It will be modified!

There's no way I'd compete in it without a proper seat and decent harness! It'll also have a full cage with foot protection and the seat mounts tied into the cage / chassis not the fibreglass floor!

My first car had a twink in it :-) I remember blowing it up :-(

Wyn

twinks are just so damned expensive to get power out of. The Vx engine would be over 200 bhp for the sensible side of 5k IMO

quote:

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twinks are just so damned expensive to get power out of. The Vx engine would be over 200 bhp for the sensible side of 5k IMO

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nope racings awesome but the rules are annoying!

I've now got a blog up and running - http://lotus26r.blogspot.com/

Here is a picture of the bodywork which I haven't been able to buy yet.........




[Edited on 3/11/09 by lsdweb]

Bodywork looks tidy, is it being hld for you?

Hello Wyn

Are you the fellow that ended up with the MK II Cooper a few years back?

ted

Alistair - I don't think I've waved enough cash around for the shell yet :-)

Ted - yes it was me. Sadly the Cooper was too rotten for me to restore - I stripped it all out and took it to quite a few restoration specialists but only one would touch it and he didn't have a slot for me for months. So it went to a new home and I never heard about it again.

Wyn

quote:

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Originally posted by lsdweb
Ted - yes it was me. Sadly the Cooper was too rotten for me to restore
Wyn

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Hi Ted,

I think the fact that it had stood for a while didn't help!

I'm not sure if I've got the budget for an Elan either but I'll plod away at it! I've made the decision to invest in a classic so I don't think I'll be losing money and it's probably better spent on an Elan than trusting it to the bank :-)


Wyn

It turned up today!

Looks nice - the chassis needs a clean but probably doesn't need painting. The wheels are proper Minilites.

I just need some space to get it on stands and start cleaning it up and working out what to do!

Regards

Wyn