Australian Lotus Elan

[The Veg]

Welcome Steve! Great looking car!

[Steve Budden]

Hi Pete,
I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland near Brisbane. The car arrived at the freight depot today so its on its way. I will sort some comprehensive transit insurance tomorrow to hopefully insure against any damage
Cheers
Steve

[Bombay Racing Green]

Hi Steve,

Exciting times! Good luck with the move. That's some distance to travel.

Regards,

Pete

[elanfan1]

Hi Pete,
Many thanks, I am looking forward to getting the car. Getting a car out of Tasmania is proving very difficult, particularly when it doesn't go.
What sort of Lotus do you have.
Cheers
Steve

Get the missus to show you her map of Tasmania it might help - well maybe not!

[redelan64]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the Australian Lotus family.
The car looks great.
Where are you?
I am in Brisbane.
Enjoy the journey.
Regards Craig

[redelan64]

Hi Steve,

You must come along to a Lotus Club Queensland - LCQ meeting. Lots of support to restore your new toy.
www.lotusclubqueensland.com/
Cheers Craig

[661]

Hi Pete,
Many thanks, I am looking forward to getting the car. Getting a car out of Tasmania is proving very difficult, particularly when it doesn't go.
What sort of Lotus do you have.
Cheers
Steve

Get the missus to show you her map of Tasmania it might help - well maybe not!

Ooooo er missus

[Steve Budden]

Hi,
Finally got the Elan into my shed at home today after almost a month of it on and off trucks. No damage and it looks great. I talked with the chap I bought the car from and it was originally a red car but when restored it was painted white. I previously didn't know this and was wanting to redo it red but worrying about the originality. Now I will be returning it to its original red colour which is just great. I even have a pic of the car when new and all the documents. The car also came with a cassette player with very large casettes I had not seen before. There was a box of old Beatles and Stones cassettes behind the seat, a real bonus.
Cheers
Steve

[661]

An '8 track' ??

Not seen one in ages.

[elanfan1]

Sounds just like an 8 track to me too.

I believe they are worth quite a bit of money now, check out eBay as I suspect the unit as well as the tapes themselves could net you a nice chunk towards your respray.

[Steve Budden]

Hi Guys
Do you think the 8 track would have been std in the car, its certainly a period talking piece. The previous owner assures me its all working well. This is the first time I had seen the car and first time I had sat in one. I was amazed how small it is and how much room is inside the car for my 6'2" skinny frame. As I bought the car sight unseen but just from a description from the owner who is a good friend of mine, I am certainly not disappointed, its an amazing little beast, soon to be red.
Cheers
steve

[redelan64]

You are one lucky guy Steve.
For it go be in such good condition and unmolested or just plain abused is fantastic. What a find. Well done. You must come to a club meeting or gathering.
This Sunday is the big McLeans Brudge sports car festival - 28th May.
Around 400+ sports and classic cars of all types at Belmont Rifle Range.
Worth a look.
Craig

[elanfan1]

8 track was a short lived technological development at the time. I don't think it lasted very long. It would not have been a standard fitment. Personally. And from memory they are a little chunky perhaps unattractive even. I'd go for either a period unit with a hidden modern system or just fit a modern one. The entertainment system is not a vital part of the car and technology in that respect it moves on quickly. Whatever is fitted can be changed relatively quickly if someone wants to go back o original.

[rgh0]

If I had known they were going to be valuable in 47 years time I would not have thrown out the 8 track in the Hillman Imp I bought in 1970 as my first car to replace it with a modern cassette player

cheers
Rohan

[Steve Budden]

I had a look on Ebay at the price of the units. They are not expensive but the cassettes can run from $10 to $1000 with most averaging $40. It looks like a curiosity period item to me and I think I will keep it as I want the car to be totally original when finished.
How is the best way to remove the body from the chassis. I am assuming this is the best method for a resto. The chassis is completely covered in oil from engine, gearbox and diff and the body id completely covered in paint bubbles, it looks like an acrylic paint job with poor equipment to me. If this topic is covered elsewhere I apologize.
Re Macleans Bridge, I have an Old Group Lb Australian race car called a Read Holden that we restored several years ago I could bring along. Pic enclosed.
Cheers
Steve