New boy

[HAIRY]

Hello,
I am not sure if this is the place to make my introduction. I assume it will be moved as necessary. However, my name is Harry. I bought my first Lotus in 1974. It was a wonderful Lotus 7 S3. I subsequently replaced it in 1976 with an Elan S4SE registration number JEK2H that I still own.
I ran the Elan until 1986 when I undertook a nut and bolt rebuild, around a new galvanised chassis. In 1988 I put the car into storage where it remained until this spring.
Now that my children are off the pay-roll the Elan is undergoing another nut and bolt rebuild, despite only covering 2000 miles since the last rebuild!
To date I have overhauled the running gear, but am awaiting the engine which is away being stripped and put back together. As and when the rolling chassis is complete with the engine , it will be taken to Option 1 who will refit the newly painted body in original Royal Blue, whereupon I will complete the rebuild.

[elanfan1]

Welcome Hairy Harry!

Sounds like quite some dedication to totally restore after only 2000 miles. The forum loves photos.

[Europatc]

HELLO HARRY AND WELCOME

[661]

Welcome. Shouldn't it be in Hairy Canary Yellow?

[HAIRY]

Thank you for your welcome.
Steve: the rebuild is not down to dedication but a simple matter of self preservation!
Graeme: would you settle for a Hairy Canary Yellow stripe?

[HAIRY]

Attached is a picture of my Elan S4SE that I went to see yesterday at the Option 1, the body shop near Birmingham. The quality of the work is amazing.
This is my understanding of their process:
- remove paint by hand
- make good all previous repairs
- reinforce as necessary with glass fibre
- reshape boot, bonnet, doors and headlights to fit & perfect shut lines?...
- cover whole car with flexible coat of glass fibre tissue and flatten
- buildup filler coat and flatten
- undercoat and flatten
- top coat and flatten
- clear lacquer and polish.

[Jon.ford]

Nice car can we have some more pics please out of interest where in Wales are you
Jon