Restoration of SB2171

[lotsats]

Yesterday, I did a posting on a related topic and somebody suggested I post information on the restoration as it progresses. That sounded like her good idea so here goes:

 

My car is SB2171. 
 

I bought it in maybe June. The owner was in Delaware, last name was Dupont, and yes, it was that Dupont family.  His brother bought the car in the UK at a date unknown to me and then transfered it to the brother I bought it from in 1987. From the registration I have, it looks as if it has not been driven since sometime in 1987 or 1988, if at all after it was shipped to the states. The first brother, prior to shipping it to the states, bought an assortment of sheet metal from Caterham. There were two sets of side panels, two rear panels, a transmission tunnel, and some assorted small pieces. I have sold one set of side panels and used the other on the car.  That leaves me with a surplus rear panel. It won’t be a totally correct restoration but won’t be too far from the original either. It has a black interior instead of red. The 1500 non-crossflow motor is gone. I won’t complain a lot because it came with a Lotus twincam instead. It has Minilite type alloy wheels, and came with a set of brand new tires dated 2009. The tires are probably appropriate to the original Lotus, but the alloy wheels really need a larger size to look right. There is a non-factory roll bar of a somewhat unique design. So far, I have striped down totally, cleaned the frame and painted it with POR 15 in something close to the original gray color. I also welded it in a small amount of reinforcing tubing on the front end, and also triangulated the vertical tube where the rear trailing arms attach as it is a weak point. In the triangle this created, I welded a steel plate with a 1/2 inch hole  and a 7/16 inch nut welded onto the outsides. This gives me a sturdy outboard seatbelt mount. I’m still thinking about what I will do for the inboard mounts.  Most of the new aluminum is on the car including a new floor pan I had made locally. I also made a new driver side foot box as the original had been damaged by something that car probably drove over.I have re-bushed the front and rear suspension with parts from Dave Bean Engineering. Craig Chima is kindly making a set of headers for me. It is getting a new fuel tank as the original was rusted, and I am adding Caterham’s honeycomb protection panels around the tank. Naturally, I’m doing a lot of other things too. I don’t plan on touching the motor or transmission until after I have the entire car finished and ready to install the powertrain. There’s enough of a mess in the shop with all the parts around right now and I don’t want to add to it with a disassembled motor. Someone has previously added a brand new Ford rear axle, replacing the weak Triumph unit. The car is on a rotisserie so it is easy to get to various things when working. I also have a 1984 Caterham, and a 1960 Lotus 7 Series 1 Vintage race car. There are pictures of these in my profile.  I first encountered a Lotus 7 in 1964 when a high school friend bought a new one directly from the factory. Hopefully, I will be able to attach some pictures to this posting.

[lotsats]

More pictures. 

[lotsats]

Within the next week, I will probably have the front suspension and rear axle with it’s suspension installed. The fuel tank comes next. an assortment of new small parts continues to arrive. There is a package with 25 feet of new brake line and fittings. I am converting it over to a dual master brake cylinder for safety. A friend donated five or six surplus MGB wiring harnesses. I have stripped some of these down to get the correct British color-coded wires for the car and will make my own wiring harness. I don’t like the two fuse system so I purchased a fuse block that will hold 10 of them, although some spaces probably won’t be used. I’m also going to put relays on the headlights and horn. All rubber stripping on the windscreen will be replaced. Think I’m going to try my sewing skills and make a cover for the boot. It came with the original top and side curtains. I wouldn’t mind getting a heater for it as I drive these cars during the winter too. There will be new wheelbearings, a gear reduction starter, etc., etc., etc. If I stay inspired, the rolling chassis should be finished by the end of the year and left in bare aluminum. The fiberglass, cowl, and bonnet will all be painted as the old painted aluminum had small amounts of Bondo in it when the stripping was done. Enough said for now. 

[speedwagon]

looks like you have all the answers to the which hoist? question.  And I do love your redneck rotisserie. hope you don't mind me stealing your idea?   john  ( as I will)

[lotsats]

When you make the rotisserie, be sure to add some tubing and raise the height so you can actually rotate the car.

[SENC]

Excellent!  Will enjoy following along!

[IamScotticus]

Box the steering rack mounts to control bump steer.

 

Thanks for sharing.

You have nice toys!

Edited October 8, 2022 by IamScotticus