ianashdown

Hi, Yes, my gearbox has the Triumph shifter extension, and there is a hole under the patch. The rat-hole that is further forward is too far forward to be for a shifter. The forward vertical face of the scuttle is at the center of the hole. Something is not adding up here! Ian

I’ve taken a look at some pictures of the Lotus 7 ‘America’ cars that had the same engine and gearbox as my car when shipped. The gear lever seemed to be in about the same position as the ‘patch’ on my scuttle cover. It also seemed to be in about the right position, just a touch forward of the dash. If my current engine/gearbox puts the gear lever in the rat-hole I’m going to need to grow my left arm about 6”! Something is not adding up here . . . I think I’ll take some measurements and see if I can make any sense from this. I wonder if anyone has a definitive dimension foe/aft for the engine. Rear face of the block is a common datum. The mystery persists! Ian

Given that this car originally had a BMC A-Series engine and whatever gearbox that came with, but was converted to the 105E and Ford ‘box, I assume it was the previous shift position. It’s not made to be quickly removable, it glued on there! The new hole, a fair bit further forward look like it was made by a trained rat on acid! I’ll leave that mental image with you . . . . Ian

I have no doubt that these are original parts, they are quite beautifully made. I did see something about someone reproducing the tail lights, but what I read seemed to indicate it was just the lens and rubber mount. These need to be cleaned a little and can go straight back on the car, they are that good condition! Ian

And for those that asked about the ‘medallion’ on the scuttle cover . . . . Ian

Found this too! It’ll look good in the collection on the wall! I wonder if the AZ DMV has any records . . . The more I dig in to this pile of parts the more certain I am of its complete authenticity. I am very confused as the why the ‘arbiters of originality’ were so convinced I should not buy this car. Just because the plate is missing/misplaced doesn’t minimize the originality of the vehicle. I do understand that the Lotus Chassis number that this frame number was connected to in the Lotus Records is currently running around somewhere, so a totally authentic ‘plate’! Alternatively, the title that I have only a photo of and is one number later, 19 Vs 18, is what it was on the Lotus plate and therefor issued by the State of Arizona. It’s not beyond Lotus to mix up the numbers! My Elan was wrongly recorded too! Very confusing! Ian

A nice discovery when unpacking a box last night! All the original lights are present and all in very nice condition! I heard the rear lights are not available so I’m very happy to have original parts. Ian

Hi, It needs a full ‘rebuild’, some parts need a full restoration. Some parts are in really surprisingly good condition and just need a good clean - years of Arizona dust! The chassis need a fair bit of work. There are missing sections, some that are damaged, a few that have been added that are just crap! The roll hoop for example; I think it was made of gas pipe as I found some threads on on end of a diagonal! Sawzall time!

Hi, It needs a full ‘rebuild’, some parts need a full restoration. Some parts are in really surprisingly good condition and just need a good clean - years of Arizona dust! The chassis need a fair bit of work. There are missing sections, some that are damaged, a few that have been added that are just crap! The roll hoop for example; I think it was made of gas pipe as I found some threads on on end of a diagonal! Sawzall time! Being kept in a very dry environment has definitely been kind to this car, there is very little serious rust. It won’t get much more here in California. I have TIG and Nickel Bronze Brazing with Gasfluxer so I can find the right process for each job. The floor needs to be replaced, and I’m thinking I can take the time to match drill from the original. I have used the scotchbright and WD40 trick for years, we used to keep the aluminum monocoques looking good this way. I like to use either the grey or white pads though. I’m still formulating the plan and what the target is to be, but I think it will be a very true S2 resto, so it looks like a well kept 62/3 year old car. Making some new parts look old will be part of the challenge! I will make a few practical, but sympathetic, upgrades. Front brakes are an obvious choice. Slightly wider wheels/tires, maybe alloy wheels, electronic ignition are likely choices too. This car clearly had some part of its life in some level of competition. I’ve found numerous vintage style safety harnesses. Old and dry and crusty! I plan to do some strengthening of the frame and will include some proper anchors for a seat belt system. It’s a journey, and I’m still choosing the direction! Taking inventory and getting ready to make a start! Ian

Something like that . . . Ian

I’ll take one. You’ll be underwhelmed! Ian SoCal

I’ve been going through the parts and trying to figure out what parts I have and what parts I’m missing. Fortunately the former list is considerably longer than the latter! There certainly are some missing items which will have to be found, and some that I have that will need to be replaced. Who are the the best suppliers for S2 7 parts in the US and/or the UK? Is it the same suppliers as for my ‘66 Elan? I’m still formulating the plan for the chassis. There is damage that needs to be repaired and I do want to add some reinforcements, add some triangulation etc. The question is will it be better to send it to Arch (even though they didn’t build it originally) and have them fix everything (some new paneling too), do the work myself or is there a US fabricator that has a track record with these frames? Some of the paneling is in surprisingly decent shape, some is in almost useable condition, and some is just rough! If I send the frame to Arch the solution is simple. The other options are not so straightforward, and it depends on if the finished objective is fully painted, part aluminum and part painted. The hood has some damage that probably prevents it being aluminum. The scuttle I think could be but it will have the scars of 62 years, I’m OK with that! The rear panel is quite straight and damage free, but has been painted. I’m going to try and remove the paint and see how the aluminum looks before making a decision. The side panels are rough and will need to be replaced. There’s lots to think about, plans to be made etc. but that’s all part of the fun isn’t it? Isn’t it?

Thank you! I will go find that. I’m not sure if I’ll do the axle work or send it out, but it’ll be good to have. Ian

I just measured the bolt P.C.D. and can confirm that both front and rear are 3.75”. Decisions on wheel are way down the road . . . Ian SoCal

I wondered! Cool company and they do some cool stuff. I’d rather not work in the weapons business though. Ian

I’ll check later today and report back. BTW, where does your ‘name’ , Anduril, come from? I interviewed for a company with that name recently. Didn’t get the job! Ian

Well spotted! Yes, I am also working on a ‘66 S2 Elan Convertible. Still just at the paint scraping stage, and lots to do for a total body off rebuild. Ian

Hi, The rear axle is Standard 10, I even was provided with a spare. I’ll check the bolt pattern on both but I think they will be Triumph, both ends. I’m not sure what look I’ll be going for, I quite like steel wheels and hub caps for a very period look on S2’s, I do have some steel bolt on Lotus wheels and hub cap from my Elan project and could use them, or a set of minilite style wheels would look good too. Ian

“Do you know what led the owner to disassemble the car when it was still relatively young?” I really don’t! The owner is apparently quite sick and I had no contact with him at all, dealing only with his brother in law. Ian

Things are just going in to different piles at the moment. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way many years ago on a Triumph Hurricane restoration. Ian SoCal

The rear wheels have been modified for greater offset, and not really that well, the fronts seem to be in good shape though. Do these look like the original wheels? If so, are the available new anywhere? It may be that it could get a set of minilite type wheels or some Lotus steel wheels from my Elan if the sizing and offset works out. Ian SoCal Does this look like an original wheel? Nasty modification!

Just a selection of todays unloading/unpacking. The frame needs work, serious work, but it’s far from some I’ve seen that ended up beautifully! Some of the sheet Aluminium is not bad, and some will need to be replaced. Then there will be the paint Vs polish discussion . . . The rear lower frame looks a bit rough and might need to be remade or at least repaired. The front suspension seems to be in good shape. There is an original fuel tank and radiator although the rad has a modification I’ve not seen before. Ian SoCal Front suspension seems complete and in good shape. A bit rough and will need to be repaired.

An original Tank? Clean inside too! The gree nose is unused, albeit with a little damage. The Yellow one might make a good buck for a mold . . Engine definitely seems to have some tuning improvements. Never seen this mod on a 7 radiator before. Serck radiator. Original - maybe.

I have taken, and will continue to take load of pictures. The question is should I post them on here or put them in DropBox and supply the link? Ian SoCal