Evante "far superior"

[Spyder fan]

I Thought this advert might raise a smile or two, or perhaps blow a few gaskets

I'm not sure it's properly Elan related, hence posting in free parking, but a few people have been discussing these cars recently so may be of interest.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C496308

The following was cut and pasted, I left the speeling mistakes.

The Evante was produced by Vegantune Engineering in the late 80s and 90s. Vegantune built the replacement chassis for the Elan and suplied their own , highly succeful competion 1q700 cc T.O.H.C ford based engine to Caterham. Whe Lotus decided not to build Elans, Vegantune built there own ,far superior continuation of the car using their own chassis,engine,and 5 speed box. The trim was in sumptious leather with a walnut dash and electric windows.The engine gave C 140h.p. and this one has just been set up correctly on a rolling road. This car was the actual Magazine road test car and is featured frequently in period.It was subjected to a photographed complete body off, 2 year restoration by the son of the founder of Vegantune and has covered less than 100 miles since. It is stunning to see and to drive and is unique

[Chancer]

What cylinder head and block is that?

[Spyder fan]

For more details on the engine etc, the owners club website is here http://evante.info/clubevante.htm

[billwill]

Well given that the Evante was produced some years after the Elan and had the benefit of later experience and used some expensive materials such as Kevlar fibre and carbon fibre in parts of its body, I suppose it is superior to the Elan in some respects.

George Robinson did have a son who worked with him in Vegantune of Spalding and hence also Evante Ltd. Alas I've forgotten his name.



That's a Vegantune engine in that car, I think they made/had-made-for-them their own heads; as you see it is twin overhead cams but using cogged-rubber drive belt instead of timing chain and it has an external water pump. As far as I recall the block is Ford, similar to our Twin-Cams.

After Vegantune Spalding went bust the firm was bought by Richard Marshall in Finchley and as mentioned before I did a prototype of a website for him, so somewhere I have apage with photos of the engine and tech specs. I will try put them somewhere where you can all see them.

[billwill]

OK I have done a hasty edit & upload and copies of the 4 most relevant pages are now accessible to you.

They are:
http://photos.datahighways.co.uk/lotus/ ... Evante.htm

http://photos.datahighways.co.uk/lotus/ ... istory.htm

http://photos.datahighways.co.uk/lotus/ ... eBuild.htm

http://photos.datahighways.co.uk/lotus/ ... istory.htm


The links within the pages will not work properly you will need to view each page separately. from the 4 links above. Sorry the links to magnified images don't work either.

[Bud English]

Very nice car, but the market has spoken... "Price: ?14950 As stated". 'Nuff said.

[elansprint]

Bill I believe the evante was bought by fleur de lys cars and they produced a mk2 powered by an 1800 zetec I looked at one for sale on eBay recently and bid on it but had the nagging doubt the mk1 with vegantune head and twin 40's was more appealing than std 1800 zetec on single throttle body but front and rear spoilers an aquired taste
Ian

[adigra]

I quite like the Mk1 Evante, aside from some cosmetic details, but the Mk2 is really ugly (the rear lights in particular, followed closely by the front grill).

[prezoom]

Why on earth would the put the battery that high in the car and forward of the engine? Or, am I missing something?

Rob Walker
26-4889

[elansprint]

Bill was the son Geoff and the daughter Jane
Ian

[billwill]

Bill was the son Geoff and the daughter Jane
Ian

Could be, but I don't really remember.

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