Lotus Elan Restoration Guide:
Elan +2 and Elan Sprint

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Item # SA-05963  ISBN: 1855205963




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This book is intended for people who own (or want to own) a Lotus Elan. It contains information they will need for buying as well as restoration. Written in an easy readable style, it conveys the author's considerable experience in restoring a 1968 Regency-red Lotus Elan +2 as well as a concours-winning 1972 yellow-over-white Lotus Elan Sprint.

Table of Contents:

Introduction: About the author | The author's Elans.

Chapter 1 — Why An Elan: "Lots of trouble usually serious" — Myth or legend.

Chapter 2 — The car, it's lineage: Back street special to supercar status | Times they are a changing — economics and legislation.

Chapter 3 — Basic description: Dispelling the myths | An engineer's guide to the universe | Form follows function.

Chapter 4 — Where to start: Read Lotus books | Join a club | Befriend a Lotus enthusiast | Developing a strategy — How to avoid a heartache | Plan ahead | Capabilities and resources | Budget.

Chapter 5 — The initial purchase: What to look for | Avoidance of dead ducks | Take a friend | Choice criteria | Where to buy | The sale.

Chapter 6 — Bite the bullet, reflect, get stuck in: Assess the situation | The importance of photography | Take notes | Organization is the key | Set the stage.

Chapter 7 — The strip down: Safety precautions | Preparation | Engine ancilliares | Lighten the load | Removal and disconnection of body to chassis components | Disconnection of body to chassis | The lift.

Chapter 8 — Body restoration: DIY body work | Use of the professionals | Storage.

Chapter 9 — The rolling chassis: Dismantling | Engine, gearbox removal | Engine strip and rebuild | Drive train removal | Drive train strip and rebuild | Rear suspension removal | Rear suspension strip and rebuild | Front suspension, steering removal | Front suspension, steering strip and rebuild | Chassis — Refurbish or replace.

Chapter 10 — Preparation for the rebuild: Make a list | Reverse all strip down instruction | The great manual get-out clause | Cleanliness is the key.

Chapter 11 — The rolling chassis rebuild: Start up-side down | Corrosion protection, do it now | Work in an orderly fashion — Be prepared | Brake pipes, hand brake and gas line | The hand brake tree | Mounting the differential | The rear suspension | The drive train | The front suspension | Steering | Hubs and brakes | Engine and gearbox | Exhaust | Ancillaries | Wheels and tires,

Chapter 12 — Fitting the body.

Chapter 13 — Electrics: Heater | Wiper motor, mechanisms and washer jets.

Chapter 14 — Finishing the body: Windows | Trim.

Chapter 15 — The boot (trunk): Gas tank | Gas gauge sending unit | Trucnk locking mechanism.

Chapter 16 — Sill members +2.

Chapter 17 — Under the bonnet (hood): Hydraulics | Radiator.

Chapter 18 — Preparation for the big day: Setting up | Fire up | Tune up | Running in.

Chapter 19 — Preparing Elans for concours presentation: Bodywork | Engine bay | Interior.

Chapter 20 — Epilogue. Plus appendices: book list, technical drawings, conversion tables, and more.

Lotus Elan Restoration Guide: Elan +2 and Elan Sprint