Lotus Elan Sprint TJE 4K now in France!
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Hello everyone,
Finally, after 10 years I finally bought my Elan FHC!
I'm french, 32 years old, working in the automotive industry.
I've always loved the Elan, but my first fun car was a Caterham 1600K SS bought in the UK. I still have it, and it is now LHD, with the 6 speed gearbox and LSD, it's a car I could not sell.
Caterham 1600K SS (1997)
After the Caterham was paid, I wanted to buy the Elan, but the prices increased a lot, and I finally bought a great, but more affordable Ginetta G15. What a lovely car! It's rare and beautiful, with some Elan styling touches.
Ginetta G15 (1972)
For the nice days in spring and summer, I use this Fiat 128 as a daily driver. It's a really lovely car, with a very pleasant engine.
Fiat 128 1500cc (1974)
I've always wanted a comfortable saloon for long trips on the motorway. The Jaguar XJR is perfect for that, and pretty cheap for this power delivery!
Jaguar XJR8 (1998)
Now, the Elan. Unfortunately I had to sell the G15 to buy the Lotus. But considering the prices rising, if I ever wanted to own an Elan, it's definitely now, or I won't be able to afford one in a few years. I have found this Type 36 Sprint in France. It's a 1972 car with a Spyder chassis fitted in 1989. There is absolutely no rust sign anywhere! Considering the quantity of oil spilled everywhere, it's not a surprise though
Some of you might know it as TJE 4K. It arrived in France in 2014.
Considering the huge amount of bills, and the fact the car has been looked after by "specialists", I am a little but disappointed by all the oil spilled under the engine and diff, and the rotten hoses... well maybe I should see another "specialist"...
More photos and details to come.
Lotus Elan Sprint FHC (1972)
Finally, after 10 years I finally bought my Elan FHC!
I'm french, 32 years old, working in the automotive industry.
I've always loved the Elan, but my first fun car was a Caterham 1600K SS bought in the UK. I still have it, and it is now LHD, with the 6 speed gearbox and LSD, it's a car I could not sell.
Caterham 1600K SS (1997)
After the Caterham was paid, I wanted to buy the Elan, but the prices increased a lot, and I finally bought a great, but more affordable Ginetta G15. What a lovely car! It's rare and beautiful, with some Elan styling touches.
Ginetta G15 (1972)
For the nice days in spring and summer, I use this Fiat 128 as a daily driver. It's a really lovely car, with a very pleasant engine.
Fiat 128 1500cc (1974)
I've always wanted a comfortable saloon for long trips on the motorway. The Jaguar XJR is perfect for that, and pretty cheap for this power delivery!
Jaguar XJR8 (1998)
Now, the Elan. Unfortunately I had to sell the G15 to buy the Lotus. But considering the prices rising, if I ever wanted to own an Elan, it's definitely now, or I won't be able to afford one in a few years. I have found this Type 36 Sprint in France. It's a 1972 car with a Spyder chassis fitted in 1989. There is absolutely no rust sign anywhere! Considering the quantity of oil spilled everywhere, it's not a surprise though
Some of you might know it as TJE 4K. It arrived in France in 2014.
Considering the huge amount of bills, and the fact the car has been looked after by "specialists", I am a little but disappointed by all the oil spilled under the engine and diff, and the rotten hoses... well maybe I should see another "specialist"...
More photos and details to come.
Lotus Elan Sprint FHC (1972)
Last edited by zimzum on Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Caterham 1600K SS
Paris, France
Paris, France
- zimzum
- First Gear
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 29 Oct 2009
Welcome zimzum.
What a complete collection you have. A car for every mood. I have to admit I have always had a hankering for an XJ12 coupe. Which is about as far the from Lotus spirit as can be imagined outside a Yank tank.
Alas, as you have found, some specialists are more specialised than others!
What a complete collection you have. A car for every mood. I have to admit I have always had a hankering for an XJ12 coupe. Which is about as far the from Lotus spirit as can be imagined outside a Yank tank.
Alas, as you have found, some specialists are more specialised than others!
- vincereynard
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1240
- Joined: 12 Jan 2015
Caterham and Elan make a great pair to own
Sorry to hear about all the all the oil leaks, mine was pretty much the same. I have worked them one by one over the last 3 winters and it's pretty much oil tight ( although the Elan and Caterham share related speedometer drives which all seem to leak!)
Good luck
malcolm
Sorry to hear about all the all the oil leaks, mine was pretty much the same. I have worked them one by one over the last 3 winters and it's pretty much oil tight ( although the Elan and Caterham share related speedometer drives which all seem to leak!)
Good luck
malcolm
1966 Elan S3 Coupe
1994 Caterham 7
1994 Caterham 7
- englishmaninwales
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 760
- Joined: 26 Jul 2013
Just back from a 1500km road trip!
I had several issues like no indicators (can't find the indicators fuse or relay), no start (it's a gremlin in the key barrel), and mainly some carbs adjustments needed as it feels too rich all the time.
I checked the carbs jetting and I have :
Main : 120 (OK)
Emulsion : F7 (!! should be F11)
Air : 155 (OK)
Idle : 50 F9 (instead of 50 F8)
Start : 85 F9 (instead of 100 F5)
Carbs are DCOE 151
Fact is I don't know what work has been carried out on the engine. I have found a bill stating there was an engine rebuild with new pistons and rebore. Is it an overhauling rebore or a capacity increasing rebore? That is the question. I don't know if my engine is still 1558cc.
Here are pictures of what I can read on the camshafts. Are they standard Big Valve Engine camshafts?
Thanks!
I had several issues like no indicators (can't find the indicators fuse or relay), no start (it's a gremlin in the key barrel), and mainly some carbs adjustments needed as it feels too rich all the time.
I checked the carbs jetting and I have :
Main : 120 (OK)
Emulsion : F7 (!! should be F11)
Air : 155 (OK)
Idle : 50 F9 (instead of 50 F8)
Start : 85 F9 (instead of 100 F5)
Carbs are DCOE 151
Fact is I don't know what work has been carried out on the engine. I have found a bill stating there was an engine rebuild with new pistons and rebore. Is it an overhauling rebore or a capacity increasing rebore? That is the question. I don't know if my engine is still 1558cc.
Here are pictures of what I can read on the camshafts. Are they standard Big Valve Engine camshafts?
Thanks!
Caterham 1600K SS
Paris, France
Paris, France
- zimzum
- First Gear
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 29 Oct 2009
Hi Zimzum
Good morning.....lovely Sprint!
You need to look at the sprocket end of the cams.....2 grooves at the end denote "sprint spec", 1 groove is for "SE" cams & no grove is for "standard" cams........
Hope that is helpful
Adam
P.s. Welcome to the forum....hope you like it here!
Good morning.....lovely Sprint!
You need to look at the sprocket end of the cams.....2 grooves at the end denote "sprint spec", 1 groove is for "SE" cams & no grove is for "standard" cams........
Hope that is helpful
Adam
P.s. Welcome to the forum....hope you like it here!
- Pastapesto
- Third Gear
- Posts: 286
- Joined: 12 Nov 2006
Thanks!
The first photos I put are gone, but you may have noticed I refitted the original wheels, seats, and a twin exhaust muffler.
Other modifications are subtle.
I'm now dismantling the dashboard to check all the electrical wiring.
The first photos I put are gone, but you may have noticed I refitted the original wheels, seats, and a twin exhaust muffler.
Other modifications are subtle.
I'm now dismantling the dashboard to check all the electrical wiring.
Caterham 1600K SS
Paris, France
Paris, France
- zimzum
- First Gear
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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