"My Ferrari has a cracked head and my Lotus has a smashed frame and I'm just delighted!" Man, whatever you are drinking or smoking, I want some of it, lol. Positive attitude extraordinare.
Ha!! The Lotus was my fault really.. I knew it was damaged! No point getting upset, better to just deal with things! Though the Ferrari cracked head really is a nuisance
Thanks for sharing. Phil is indeed the man and should be able to help you out. Best of luck with the rebuild. I've seen some shocking bodges on lotus cars before but this is the new crowned winner.
I love the enthusiasm of this guy. Gotta be one of the most positive people in the car world, if not in the whole of the UK. Great to see people like this and many could learn from his positive outlook on cars and life. I always say that you must always find a positive in a negative situation... Jack you are an inspiration to people who are down and need a lift. Your channel is certainly genuine and not full of the usual crap you see these days. Keep up the great work you do. I’ll always come back and watch your positive attitude and outlook...
That’s very kind Brian, thank you and really glad you’re enjoying the videos.. just between you and me I’m not always quite that positive off camera!! 🤣🤣
I don't even know how I found your channel but it's becoming one of my favorites.. I am a huge Lotus fan so I will be going back over these videos for a binge watch.. You have the perfect attitude for working on cars like this and I will be moving my Patreon from another channel over to yours
The level of bodgery is horrific! People have no consciouses! I hope you managed to get it sorted! I can't believe you still have a smile on your face! Keep up the good work!
The first person who ‘fixed’ and then sold on that death trap should hang their head in shame. You’re right that it’s shocking what people will do to make a little extra cash 🙁
Brilliant! I overlooked these at the time but now I think they are great as things get more complex most of us here want a pure, simpler driving experience. Looking forward to the progress!
Loving this project already.....you're an inspiration to getting the job done right and saving another sports car classic for many more to enjoy down the line. Keep up the great work. All the best Andy
I too cant believe the level of bodging that people carry out on cars. It seems that they have put just as much effort into covering up the damage as they would have sorting it properly. I just love your enthusiasm when uncovering the damage, I would have been crying and angry, all credit to you 👍. Its an interesting project and just gods to show how strong that Elise chassis actually us.
As always, very interesting video, and I am looking forward to hearing what will the body shop say. Yet, I can't help but think that hiding a bent wing with filler is one thing, hiding a default in a safety component is another. Imagine what would have happened to whoever had driven this car and had a collision on the same side or something requiring the roll cage to be effective.
@@bsimpson6204 The chassis can be checked on a jig and pulled straight if necessary. The skills/equipment are a dying breed but there’s still companies out there that do it (because the expense isn’t enough to write off classic cars that replacement shells can’t be bought for).
When you did the 'big reveal' I said out loud: "Well, that doesn't look bad." It will be some work to fix it properly but I think you will have yourself a nice little driver once you are all said and done.
Pop rivtets and 3m panel bond to put any plates back on. If they had simple equipment like a porta power you could get a lot of that out since they cut a section out of the top
Pop rivets ??😱 Hey, we're talking FRAME work here ! Obviously, we're talking about cutting out all warped panels, replace and WELD them on by a professionnal shop, no less ! Actually, not a big job when done properly.
@@marcryvon There is no welding involved . Modern repair methods . These chassis were bonded with mechanical fixing when new with no welding .Lotus were first to do it in a road car
@@LOTPOR0402 The glue needs a special heat treatment to get the right bonding. Nothing you can do in your garage at home. And even with a good bond it will never be as rigid as it needs to be. It is totally unsafe to use it! Even with a new piece glued in!
@@grossmeister1181 Really its my job i use the stuff a lot , .You best tell Thatcham that their bonding methods used in modern crash repair are not up to it , so jog on with your know everything know nowt brain . And how to you now what people have at home , its called infrared , and more modern panel bonds do not need it
I see this sort of shite regularly, nothing shocks me anymore.Apart from more than enough cars not welded back together properly after major repairs I have seen a wooden (and carved with some skill)chassis rail and outrigger,a Sill on a P100 held on barely with tile adhesive,a cut and shut rs turbo welded only at the screen pillars and overlap pop riveted elsewhere,,concrete chassis on transits,transits with new ply screwed onto the load floor cross braces with absolutely no floor underneath.fiat scudo engine held in place with one self tapper into a chassis rail/ inner wing they was only superficial by virtue of only having a top and one side the rest being silver duct tape, a vauxhall Agila with a Corsa electric steering column cable tied into place,bathroom sealant seems to be a favourite for rust 'repairs',and my personal favourite was a recently purchased Citroen with 3 badly worn pads and one wooden pad!! Just some off the top of my head.I have stood by awkwardly far too many times while someone cries their eyes out or loses their shit in front of me when I have shown them what their money has paid for or what they have been driving around in.Sometimes not surprising given at how nonchalant a lot of people still are about buying a car. One thing is for certain the art of bodgery will continue and now with tech such as aluminium construction and composites becoming more mainstream,the knowledge,ability and materials needed to effect a good repair will become even more specialist,as in expensive. Given that situation you can only imagine that this sort of thing will be more common,not mentioning the amount of cars you remove a perfectly good front bumper from to find the front crash bar stoved in and the rad cluster bowed or twisted,insignia, qashqai and juke particularly.
This is why you have to be careful when buying Elises. It probably went to some "approved" repairer from an insurance company who didn't know what they were doing on this chassis. It isn't just cosmetic damage as the sills give strength to the whole tub and supports the rollbar.
Ideally, you can find an Elise being parted out due to a big hit somewhere else,. Then you could fit a replacement section in from that car with butted or plated welds. Proper modern adhesives might even be safe. Good luck, Jack. I look forward to following your progress.
Another great vid and some positive news as well. Properly repaired that will be a strong chassis, as you’ve said it won’t be “lotus approved” but it will still be safe. Keep on going Jack 👍
A repair to this chassis will be neither strong nor safe. This car needs a new chassis and I strongly doubt that Phil will be associated with bodging this (i.e. anything other than a chassis replacement) - assuming this is the Phil I'm thinking of in the Lotus community.
The location of that impact was probably what confined the damage to a small area. Notice that it's primarily below the roll bar. That likely absorbed and then returned a lot of energy by acting like a spring.
Yeh, good to see that's repairable, maybe with a little extra internal bracing. Shocking initial bodge though, they didn't even attempt to pull it out and strengthen 😱
@@marceld6061 More important than simply throwing money at it which is no guarantee of a job well done, is finding the expertise to do it competently. They are out there. Trick is finding them.
Hi mate.... wow!! Poor little Lotus, it will be great if she is put right again and as long as an experienced technician/body welder deals with her it will be good as new im sure. Its a great car that just needed a big chunk of love, well done sir and keep it up. 😊🌈😁......at least you can say you put your stamp on it fir sure.
😱, I’d love to see the original adverts for the cars you buy, with sensitive details removed of course... “1 careful owner, car has a few age related marks, exciting ownership opportunity. car seeking a new owner with an optimistic outlook on life”
your talents continue to snowball, as does your confidence and good humoured positivity...this on top of the 308's latest would have broken most people!! - If the cupholder jams, I would be heading back to the tv / youtube for a de-stress...!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 true but I was talking in general about all the videos on the Channel. It's well documented that the Elise chassis weakens with mileage anyway, regardless of accident damage. Personally, I don't rate English built cars, never had one, never will go near one, hate them with a passion. However, the Frankenlise does make for interesting content, hence I asked if we can have videos detailing the processes.
@@fizmo100 since we don't live in the Stone Age, reliability ratings and owner's reviews (I also personally know enough people that have owned and had loads of issues with them) are publicly available, so just a quick search will reveal how underengineered and unreliable most of them are. Thanks but no thanks
As I was saying about a 4 wheel alignment check, I bet that rear wheel is higher than the other side, it looks like when the frame got crunched in it got pulled down a bit which appears to have lifted the rear of the frame slightly (is what I can see from the video anyways). I would think its probably repairable, probably cut the crunched metal out, pull the rear of the frame down and check level, then weld in new boxes once everything is straight, it appears to be aluminum so it needs to be heated before being worked or it will just tear, but that also means that the body shop may not want to repair it and ask that you find a new frame as it could be weaken greatly by heating and pulling it.
Your positivity is infectious. Love the excitement at getting to use your cutting disc lol. Car might basically be f***ed, but you're still happy because you get to play with a power tool. Respect.
Horrific stuff in this video, in order of horrorness.... 1) lack of axle stands 2) the pyjama trousers 3) a bit of a hole in the sill Nice work mister. Fun to watch, keep up your great work & enthusiasm 👍🏼
Wow! I can't believe the car drove as well as it did. Have to give respect to Lotus for a well made...designed...Hell just a good car! I'm really pumped for this project. Cheers
To be honest, that looks a very straightforward repair. I would certainly add some extra internal bracing to the roll hoop mount point to make sure any load is evenly dissipated over good solid metal. I never understood why people do not repair cars correctly, I find it faster to cut the old damage out and replace with new, rather than slapping acres of filler in and finishing that to disguise a shoddy bodge. You will have this back on the road as good as new and will definitely be a keeper after sorting out the damage.
I know others have stated the same but worth reminding anyone attempting this type of work/cutting please remember to wear gloves & ear protection. That way, you get less fatigue due to noise & hands get less vibration/hot sparks. Interesting content as always but safety first !
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
TBH, I was expecting worse, but with every negative there's a positive: footage and content for the channel. And infamy for those who are personally aware of and involved with the car's jaded history. A great outcome will be a restored car who's repair is heavily documented. Great stuff :)
What I find interesting is there is no internal bracing for that whole sill piece considering the length of it. This would've made the structure immensely stronger. Also. You could "string up" the car by making an accurate string box around the cars wheels to see if all the wheels are in alignment? I suspect there maybe some toe in on that offside rear wheel. Would give an indication how straight the chassis is. Definitely a fun car once up and running. Mike Brewer would be proud!
Lord have mercy! I have an S2 Elise and it's an absolute delight. I hope you'll be able to restore this little buggy. The great advantage of the Elise is it's complete simplicity. I wouldn't attempt an extensive frame repair on most cars but these frames are so "straight forward." Pun intended ;-)
Back in the 1980s I worked on a Ralt RT-4 Formula Atlantic/Pacific, they had a tub that was folded aluminium sheet, any reasonable hit would kink on a front wheel would kink the tub, the solution was simply to cut behind the kink and weld in a new section. The tub on this Lotus has much thicker sheet but the fix is just the same. You need a racing car specialist rather than a normal panel shop.
I've heard about dodgy repairs in the past but that was not great - in fact, it wasn't even good 🤬. The roll-bar issue alone could've easily resulted in a death. I'm glad that you're trying to keep the car alive AND safe. Looking forward to the update 👍
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 Duly noted 👍 I would certainly give Jack credit for investigating the problem and trying to find a safe resolution. It beggars belief that FrankEnlise managed to pass previous MOT inspections since 'repair'. It just goes to show - you cannot rely on this as a guarantee that a vehicle is actually roadworthy.
A carefully executed bonded and riveted repair in to that area will more than likely be stronger than it was originally. I would be reluctant to weld material in do it's poorer shear strength properties. Fascinating prospect on how you sort it out ! Great content 😀 👍
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@byronmills5952 This is not an aircraft, there are different loads. For the aircrafts there are engineers doing the calculations on how a repair has to be made. There is no calculation for this type of repair. Having it measured and calculated will cost you way more than what the car is worth. Then the repair has to be approved, without proper documents there is no way anyone will ever approve a repair. Lotus will and never has approved any repair. It would be way to difficult and expensive, so it is not worth it at all.
Great job on the intro and your editing.I really like your videos.Not many people have the courage or the skills to do the type of projects that you take on.
It’s not about having the courage or skill, it’s about having the knowledge and experience to know when something isn’t worth doing as its dangerous. But there again, it would make a good UA-cam channel would it. Problem is too many UA-cam bodgers out there that think they know what they are doing and buy scrap from copart, cause all copart are interested in is making money, not the ramifications of poorly repaired vehicles on the roads.
I think I agree with another comment that frame doesn’t appear to be “flat” along bottom surface at and behind damaged area. Might just be camera angle and/or angle of frame intentionally pinching inwards behind cockpit. Professional frame repair sounds like the right course. Good luck!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
It's very fixable.... It's metal and can be repairable to a point to where it's as safe as factory new. I would even argue in the right hands it can be repaired to a point where it would be better and safer then new. Good luck and look forward to further updates...
@@Number27 This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
As long as the next step involves a proper jig geo test, it's a fairly straightforward job. I'll be interested to see whether your experts decide to go for bonded or welded though.....
Reminds me of an article in the late 80s on how one guy's favoured technique for "restoring" E-types involved using bits of drainpipe and rolled up newspapers for the sill repairs...
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
Having built a few racing machines and doing a fair bit of fabrication myself with a fair bit of welding experience too, i am pretty confident this can be repaired by a good welder/fabricator too. Looking at the design of the extrusion (well what I can see from the video) it’s in a central position (not near critical joins and bonding) and the metal is thick enough to be tigged, so with some straightening, new metal and welding I look forward to seeing it saved and put back on the road. It’s ridiculous to see it badly bodged when it could have been done well. Many year ago I was part of the team at the factory where these chassis sections were extruded and saw the sections coming off the line (from memory the Renault sport spider sections were from the same plant), while we were coding up the robotic system that picked the extrusion dies from the store to deliver them to the machine.
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@carlwilliams3488 30 years in the automotive industry, aluminum chassis design, in cooperation with e.g. Lotus, Hydro, Renault, Audi. Why are you asking?
@@grossmeister1181 of course you are, not avatar, no channel, no nothing and you think I was born yesterday. Lol, pull the other one it’s got bells on.
Jack, you’re a dangerous man with an angle grinder! It was so funny how delighted you were while hacking your dream car to pieces! But that damage is much less than I was expecting. Most of that looks like it could be pulled out. It would have been so much easier to actually fix the damage properly when the accident happened than spend all that time bodging it! Mad what lengths people will go to!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
A friend spun his X1/9 on a tightening curve many moons ago and hit a boulder causing similar damage. I was in the passenger seat at the time and had a nice view of said boulder as it grew ever closer. Happy days.
There's bodging something correct way and there's bodging the bad way. That was certainly a bad budge way. Good to see you are doing it properly and with you recording your repair will help resale value. A good welder/ fabricater should be able to pull and reshape the existing metal back and weld in a new top sill piece. This would be good to retain the strength and integrity. Also I would put the car on a jig just to check there are no other twists in the chassis. Good luck!! Ps That's not a lot of filler compared to my old Nova SR doors. Previous owner had filled both doors with paper and filler to the size of a brick😂
Gutted you don't know the bodyshop that did that flopjob. They need to be named, shamed, fined and closed down. Great videos...and always a like from me! Definitely someone down the line bought that to save it from swinging in the breeze and move on quickly.
What I like about this video is the post mortem with the fuel line inches from the impact, second only in proximity to the driver's head. After testing on this vehicle was complete, duct tape was officially renamed Lotus tape and is still called that to this day. Quiz question; What happened to the original prototype ?
Those jacks are nice. I have one. After a while it fails, and leaks down. Make sure you have jack stands or some cheap wheels to set it on. So far as the damage goes, looks like some flat pieces welded in would do it.
thats not too bad over the years ive had and run a few sports 2000s which also use ally tubs rather similar in construction to the elise and have repaired and have had repaired all manor of damage like yours, a bit of the correct grade ally a folder a joggler some aircraft grade glue and some proper aviation/motorsport style rivets and this could all be repaired and strengthened.best of luck in your endevoures with this one.
@@Number27 This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
Buy nice or buy twice. This is the problem with written off cars. You don’t know who’s fixed them, or tried to fix them. Enjoy your channel and keep up the good work.
You do have a lovely smile, Jack. Regarding Frankenlise, I can just imagine your neighbours having seen you've bought "A lovely little Lotus Elise" now being absolutely mortified whilst watching you dismembering it. I am shocked that people will do such a dangerous 'fix' just to get themselves some money without thinking of the consequences should it be involved in another similar prang.
"Looks like that sod across the road has got himself another expensive toy. What the hell, why's he got the angle grinder out while laughing manically?! OH GOD..."
Hello Jack, are you interested in buying second hand space ship, one careful owner, slight damage after a collision with the moon, lol, you love a challenge and I love watching your videos, keep them coming, 👍👍👍👍.
Not everyrhing is about money, I think it is great that you follow your dream. A lot is not doing that!! Right now I working on my 1973 Camaro Z28 RS and my 1969 Mustang Mach 1 it cost money and time, but that is how it is :- ) Keep up the good work !!
Really interesting. I assumed an Elise with this sort of damage was completely unrepairable. I can't wait to see how the cill repair is bonded/welded? The cover-up is scary, they've bolted the roll bar down onto to something that is no longer a box beam and now lacks rigidity and strength. It's now a decorative roll bar... Bizarrely this makes me want an S1 Elise!
That should buff right out Jack! Secondly, no worries about leaving that parked right there. 😂🤣 Sorry for your Luck Brother but... If anyone can rebuild it, You Can!!
This reminds me of that episode of Father Ted where the two priests attempt to repair a small scratch on a Rover and end up demolishing the car in the process despite an ever-present optimism.
@@funkyhouseman getting off topic, but remember the miraculous image on the skirting board so Ted could kick the bishop up the arse? Jaysus i pissed meself...
"Hello is that the plasterer?,I've a Lotus that needs rendering"🤣
🤦🏻♂️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Obviously a plasterer who didn't know about drywall, considering the thickness of that patch.
"My Ferrari has a cracked head and my Lotus has a smashed frame and I'm just delighted!" Man, whatever you are drinking or smoking, I want some of it, lol. Positive attitude extraordinare.
Ha!! The Lotus was my fault really.. I knew it was damaged! No point getting upset, better to just deal with things! Though the Ferrari cracked head really is a nuisance
Exactly!! This guy loves (and laughs) at money pits!!
@@ferraridinoman today we're going to find out whether buying a totally destroyed car is worth it!
He's the English Hoovie!
@@ferraridinoman PSSSST! All cars are money pits.
Have to admire your constant optimism and upbeat attitude Jack! 👍
Definitely a 'can do' person!
I concur!
Jack - Please use axle stands. I was cringing seeing the back on a single centre mounted jack! PS Great vids.
Jack, the only man in the country that would catch Covid-19 and see it as a positive opportunity to get to see inside an intensive care ward.
🤣🤣🤣
He better Not as I love his videos, n the grown jewel for me is the Elise thanks mate
Definitely taking the place of Captain Tom for the "one day at a time tomorrow will be a better day" attitude
Jack's fuel tank is never half empty.
The attitude is fantastic.
Thanks for sharing. Phil is indeed the man and should be able to help you out. Best of luck with the rebuild. I've seen some shocking bodges on lotus cars before but this is the new crowned winner.
I love the enthusiasm of this guy. Gotta be one of the most positive people in the car world, if not in the whole of the UK. Great to see people like this and many could learn from his positive outlook on cars and life. I always say that you must always find a positive in a negative situation...
Jack you are an inspiration to people who are down and need a lift. Your channel is certainly genuine and not full of the usual crap you see these days. Keep up the great work you do. I’ll always come back and watch your positive attitude and outlook...
That’s very kind Brian, thank you and really glad you’re enjoying the videos.. just between you and me I’m not always quite that positive off camera!! 🤣🤣
I don't even know how I found your channel but it's becoming one of my favorites.. I am a huge Lotus fan so I will be going back over these videos for a binge watch..
You have the perfect attitude for working on cars like this and I will be moving my Patreon from another channel over to yours
Man, I don't know how you do it, keeping calm, a positive attitude and pushing on ... I draw my hat in awe.
Good news, that car is so worth saving, looking forward to seeing the progress.
‘9
Anyone else finding this channel creeping into their top 3 car channels on UA-cam, awesome stuff
The level of bodgery is horrific! People have no consciouses! I hope you managed to get it sorted! I can't believe you still have a smile on your face! Keep up the good work!
The first person who ‘fixed’ and then sold on that death trap should hang their head in shame. You’re right that it’s shocking what people will do to make a little extra cash 🙁
really dangerous .. so the chassis of the Elise is not repaired ..
That's discusting. Not ur reply, the supposed fix
You have to ask why wasn't the car properly inspected before being allowed back on the road.
Well said.
Brilliant! I overlooked these at the time but now I think they are great as things get more complex most of us here want a pure, simpler driving experience. Looking forward to the progress!
Well done for not giving up on it amazed it got through an inspection when it was repaired orignally
Loving this project already.....you're an inspiration to getting the job done right and saving another sports car classic for many more to enjoy down the line. Keep up the great work. All the best Andy
Two words 'TVR and Glen' spring to mind with this car .
Yes that's exactly who I was trying to remember! Half suprised this isn't where it came from ha
I think I get the TVR reference, but Glen?
@@ProfessorOzone there was someone who used to deal in cat c/d write off TVRs and lotus etc who went by the name TVR Glen
@@warrenc-h6144 Ah, thank you. That clears things up.
I too cant believe the level of bodging that people carry out on cars. It seems that they have put just as much effort into covering up the damage as they would have sorting it properly.
I just love your enthusiasm when uncovering the damage, I would have been crying and angry, all credit to you 👍.
Its an interesting project and just gods to show how strong that Elise chassis actually us.
Great project Jack. Great UA-cam channel. Always enjoy the long awaited next installment! Thank you.
As always, very interesting video, and I am looking forward to hearing what will the body shop say.
Yet, I can't help but think that hiding a bent wing with filler is one thing, hiding a default in a safety component is another.
Imagine what would have happened to whoever had driven this car and had a collision on the same side or something requiring the roll cage to be effective.
Your endless enthusiasm is a marvel to watch even when dealing with a dog of an Elise
Very entertaining video! Looking forward to the rest of the Elise journey :)
That does look repairable ,needs a decent fabricator welder ! Looks like whoever done the last repair has got shares in a Filler company !
Not sure he’d even need a welder tbh, I think elises are mostly riveted and bonded together!
Yes you could cut out the bad and weld in new but the chassis will be twisted
@@bsimpson6204 yes you would need to jig the chassis but could be done .
@@bsimpson6204 The chassis can be checked on a jig and pulled straight if necessary. The skills/equipment are a dying breed but there’s still companies out there that do it (because the expense isn’t enough to write off classic cars that replacement shells can’t be bought for).
So fixable. What's most frustrating about this, is that it could have been fixed properly for hardly anything more than it took to conceal this mess.
Not that easy to fix these chassis. I don't think they will ever be able to restore the weird non-stick coating on it.
Agreed, there’s some right w@nkers out there
When you did the 'big reveal' I said out loud: "Well, that doesn't look bad."
It will be some work to fix it properly but I think you will have yourself a nice little driver once you are all said and done.
Pop rivtets and 3m panel bond to put any plates back on. If they had simple equipment like a porta power you could get a lot of that out since they cut a section out of the top
Pop rivets ??😱 Hey, we're talking FRAME work here !
Obviously, we're talking about cutting out all warped panels, replace and WELD them on by a professionnal shop, no less !
Actually, not a big job when done properly.
@@marcryvon There is no welding involved . Modern repair methods . These chassis were bonded with mechanical fixing when new with no welding .Lotus were first to do it in a road car
You cannot weld it properly, panels are too thin. Plus it will never get the rigidity back that it had when the extruded piece was still intact!
@@LOTPOR0402 The glue needs a special heat treatment to get the right bonding. Nothing you can do in your garage at home. And even with a good bond it will never be as rigid as it needs to be. It is totally unsafe to use it! Even with a new piece glued in!
@@grossmeister1181 Really its my job i use the stuff a lot , .You best tell Thatcham that their bonding methods used in modern crash repair are not up to it , so jog on with your know everything know nowt brain . And how to you now what people have at home , its called infrared , and more modern panel bonds do not need it
Astonishing that they made absolutely no attempt at any kind of structural repair.
They were as dump as him, not knowing that it is a structural piece!
I see this sort of shite regularly, nothing shocks me anymore.Apart from more than enough cars not welded back together properly after major repairs I have seen a wooden (and carved with some skill)chassis rail and outrigger,a Sill on a P100 held on barely with tile adhesive,a cut and shut rs turbo welded only at the screen pillars and overlap pop riveted elsewhere,,concrete chassis on transits,transits with new ply screwed onto the load floor cross braces with absolutely no floor underneath.fiat scudo engine held in place with one self tapper into a chassis rail/ inner wing they was only superficial by virtue of only having a top and one side the rest being silver duct tape, a vauxhall Agila with a Corsa electric steering column cable tied into place,bathroom sealant seems to be a favourite for rust 'repairs',and my personal favourite was a recently purchased Citroen with 3 badly worn pads and one wooden pad!! Just some off the top of my head.I have stood by awkwardly far too many times while someone cries their eyes out or loses their shit in front of me when I have shown them what their money has paid for or what they have been driving around in.Sometimes not surprising given at how nonchalant a lot of people still are about buying a car. One thing is for certain the art of bodgery will continue and now with tech such as aluminium construction and composites becoming more mainstream,the knowledge,ability and materials needed to effect a good repair will become even more specialist,as in expensive. Given that situation you can only imagine that this sort of thing will be more common,not mentioning the amount of cars you remove a perfectly good front bumper from to find the front crash bar stoved in and the rad cluster bowed or twisted,insignia, qashqai and juke particularly.
This is why you have to be careful when buying Elises. It probably went to some "approved" repairer from an insurance company who didn't know what they were doing on this chassis. It isn't just cosmetic damage as the sills give strength to the whole tub and supports the rollbar.
Ideally, you can find an Elise being parted out due to a big hit somewhere else,. Then you could fit a replacement section in from that car with butted or plated welds. Proper modern adhesives might even be safe. Good luck, Jack. I look forward to following your progress.
Another great vid and some positive news as well.
Properly repaired that will be a strong chassis, as you’ve said it won’t be “lotus approved” but it will still be safe.
Keep on going Jack 👍
A repair to this chassis will be neither strong nor safe. This car needs a new chassis and I strongly doubt that Phil will be associated with bodging this (i.e. anything other than a chassis replacement) - assuming this is the Phil I'm thinking of in the Lotus community.
The location of that impact was probably what confined the damage to a small area. Notice that it's primarily below the roll bar. That likely absorbed and then returned a lot of energy by acting like a spring.
Absolutely digging this build Jack! Keep up the good work!
Yeh, good to see that's repairable, maybe with a little extra internal bracing. Shocking initial bodge though, they didn't even attempt to pull it out and strengthen 😱
Yes, 100% criminal bas...ds.
It's probably a good thing that they didn't! At least now, he's got a clean slate and can do it right.
It is not repairable! It is structurally damaged and weakened!
@@grossmeister1181 Like I have told many of my clients- anything can be fixed --- if you are willing to throw enough money at it 😉
@@marceld6061 More important than simply throwing money at it which is no guarantee of a job well done, is finding the expertise to do it competently. They are out there. Trick is finding them.
I'm aghast at those repairs, glad you're taking the time to fix it all up properly.
Hi mate.... wow!! Poor little Lotus, it will be great if she is put right again and as long as an experienced technician/body welder deals with her it will be good as new im sure. Its a great car that just needed a big chunk of love, well done sir and keep it up.
😊🌈😁......at least you can say you put your stamp on it fir sure.
😱, I’d love to see the original adverts for the cars you buy, with sensitive details removed of course... “1 careful owner, car has a few age related marks, exciting ownership opportunity. car seeking a new owner with an optimistic outlook on life”
Wow! Another cracking vid. Your very brave Jack. Can't wait to see how this all goes.
Good luck Jack. Phil certainly will point you in the right direction. Thanks for the mention of SELOC too
Glad you didn't have any accidents when you where driving before 😳. Some unscrupulous people out there! Stay safe.
Jack good progress made already having stripped her down and identified the damage look forward to further updates
The Damned: El(o)ise.
your talents continue to snowball, as does your confidence and good humoured positivity...this on top of the 308's latest would have broken most people!! - If the cupholder jams, I would be heading back to the tv / youtube for a de-stress...!
It would be good to also make videos with step by step instructions of all these repairs. I do admire your confidence fixing everything yourself!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 true but I was talking in general about all the videos on the Channel. It's well documented that the Elise chassis weakens with mileage anyway, regardless of accident damage. Personally, I don't rate English built cars, never had one, never will go near one, hate them with a passion. However, the Frankenlise does make for interesting content, hence I asked if we can have videos detailing the processes.
@@dimi911 Never had one, won't go near one... Yet seem to have a very strong opinion on them. Seems sensible. Carry on. 👍
@@fizmo100 since we don't live in the Stone Age, reliability ratings and owner's reviews (I also personally know enough people that have owned and had loads of issues with them) are publicly available, so just a quick search will reveal how underengineered and unreliable most of them are. Thanks but no thanks
Great video. Your Lotus deserves the attention.
As I was saying about a 4 wheel alignment check, I bet that rear wheel is higher than the other side, it looks like when the frame got crunched in it got pulled down a bit which appears to have lifted the rear of the frame slightly (is what I can see from the video anyways). I would think its probably repairable, probably cut the crunched metal out, pull the rear of the frame down and check level, then weld in new boxes once everything is straight, it appears to be aluminum so it needs to be heated before being worked or it will just tear, but that also means that the body shop may not want to repair it and ask that you find a new frame as it could be weaken greatly by heating and pulling it.
It’s the camera angle.. car aligns just fine on geo, have a print out to prove it
Your positivity is infectious. Love the excitement at getting to use your cutting disc lol. Car might basically be f***ed, but you're still happy because you get to play with a power tool. Respect.
Horrific stuff in this video, in order of horrorness....
1) lack of axle stands
2) the pyjama trousers
3) a bit of a hole in the sill
Nice work mister. Fun to watch, keep up your great work & enthusiasm 👍🏼
😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
Wow!
I can't believe the car drove as well as it did. Have to give respect to Lotus for a well made...designed...Hell just a good car!
I'm really pumped for this project.
Cheers
I applaud your optimism. Look forward to seeing it back on the road!
Jack it’s cold mate, you should be doing that in your living room!! 😂
To be honest, that looks a very straightforward repair. I would certainly add some extra internal bracing to the roll hoop mount point to make sure any load is evenly dissipated over good solid metal.
I never understood why people do not repair cars correctly, I find it faster to cut the old damage out and replace with new, rather than slapping acres of filler in and finishing that to disguise a shoddy bodge.
You will have this back on the road as good as new and will definitely be a keeper after sorting out the damage.
You are wise to get a pro to fix it, I think there's more gluing than welding. Can't wait to see the progress....good luck from Rome Jack👍🇬🇧
I know others have stated the same but worth reminding anyone attempting this type of work/cutting please remember to wear gloves & ear protection. That way, you get less fatigue due to noise & hands get less vibration/hot sparks. Interesting content as always but safety first !
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
Fantastic video! Love that thing with no body!! I bet it comes back stronger than stock!
TBH, I was expecting worse, but with every negative there's a positive: footage and content for the channel. And infamy for those who are personally aware of and involved with the car's jaded history. A great outcome will be a restored car who's repair is heavily documented. Great stuff :)
wow super confidence !.....looks like a write off to me. Hope you get it fixed.
What I find interesting is there is no internal bracing for that whole sill piece considering the length of it. This would've made the structure immensely stronger.
Also.
You could "string up" the car by making an accurate string box around the cars wheels to see if all the wheels are in alignment?
I suspect there maybe some toe in on that offside rear wheel.
Would give an indication how straight the chassis is.
Definitely a fun car once up and running.
Mike Brewer would be proud!
Welcome to Bodge City folks 👍 Blimey Jack you've got some work here, good on you and thanks for the lockdown busting videos 👍👍
Thanks for positive thinking❤️, please secure for next time your car lift with additional car jack stands
Lord have mercy! I have an S2 Elise and it's an absolute delight. I hope you'll be able to restore this little buggy. The great advantage of the Elise is it's complete simplicity. I wouldn't attempt an extensive frame repair on most cars but these frames are so "straight forward." Pun intended ;-)
Hi Jack, glad to see you bought the floor Jack I recommended - great bit of kit 😁
Back in the 1980s I worked on a Ralt RT-4 Formula Atlantic/Pacific, they had a tub that was folded aluminium sheet, any reasonable hit would kink on a front wheel would kink the tub, the solution was simply to cut behind the kink and weld in a new section.
The tub on this Lotus has much thicker sheet but the fix is just the same.
You need a racing car specialist rather than a normal panel shop.
I've heard about dodgy repairs in the past but that was not great - in fact, it wasn't even good 🤬.
The roll-bar issue alone could've easily resulted in a death.
I'm glad that you're trying to keep the car alive AND safe.
Looking forward to the update 👍
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 Duly noted 👍
I would certainly give Jack credit for investigating the problem and trying to find a safe resolution.
It beggars belief that FrankEnlise managed to pass previous MOT inspections since 'repair'. It just goes to show - you cannot rely on this as a guarantee that a vehicle is actually roadworthy.
Cool episode, really exciting. I've been inspired to have a few pyjama sessions on my 911 this last week 🤣
A carefully executed bonded and riveted repair in to that area will more than likely be stronger than it was originally. I would be reluctant to weld material in do it's poorer shear strength properties. Fascinating prospect on how you sort it out ! Great content 😀 👍
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 Totally disagree. Aluminium aircraft structures are repaired on a daily basis using similar techniques.
@@byronmills5952 This is not an aircraft, there are different loads. For the aircrafts there are engineers doing the calculations on how a repair has to be made. There is no calculation for this type of repair. Having it measured and calculated will cost you way more than what the car is worth. Then the repair has to be approved, without proper documents there is no way anyone will ever approve a repair. Lotus will and never has approved any repair. It would be way to difficult and expensive, so it is not worth it at all.
Hope you get it roadworthy Jack, great work!
Really good watch, thanks Jack! Can’t wait to see how this turns out! They sure had some shares in Isopon....
Always amazed at what you’ll undertake in the driveway....or in that tiny garage. Kudos.
Great job on the intro and your editing.I really like your videos.Not many people have the courage or the skills to do the type of projects that you take on.
Thanks Chris, that’s really kind and pleased you like my stuff!
It’s not about having the courage or skill, it’s about having the knowledge and experience to know when something isn’t worth doing as its dangerous. But there again, it would make a good UA-cam channel would it. Problem is too many UA-cam bodgers out there that think they know what they are doing and buy scrap from copart, cause all copart are interested in is making money, not the ramifications of poorly repaired vehicles on the roads.
I think I agree with another comment that frame doesn’t appear to be “flat” along bottom surface at and behind damaged area. Might just be camera angle and/or angle of frame intentionally pinching inwards behind cockpit. Professional frame repair sounds like the right course. Good luck!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
A decent metal basher should sort it in no time - you've done all the hard work exposing everything
It's very fixable.... It's metal and can be repairable to a point to where it's as safe as factory new. I would even argue in the right hands it can be repaired to a point where it would be better and safer then new. Good luck and look forward to further updates...
Thanks Randall!!
@@Number27 This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
As long as the next step involves a proper jig geo test, it's a fairly straightforward job. I'll be interested to see whether your experts decide to go for bonded or welded though.....
Reminds me of an article in the late 80s on how one guy's favoured technique for "restoring" E-types involved using bits of drainpipe and rolled up newspapers for the sill repairs...
😂😂😂😂
I am so glad that this plucky little car looks like it's going to be repaired and given a chance to show its heart.
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
Love to see the car fixed. Your attitude is amazing.
Having built a few racing machines and doing a fair bit of fabrication myself with a fair bit of welding experience too, i am pretty confident this can be repaired by a good welder/fabricator too. Looking at the design of the extrusion (well what I can see from the video) it’s in a central position (not near critical joins and bonding) and the metal is thick enough to be tigged, so with some straightening, new metal and welding I look forward to seeing it saved and put back on the road. It’s ridiculous to see it badly bodged when it could have been done well. Many year ago I was part of the team at the factory where these chassis sections were extruded and saw the sections coming off the line (from memory the Renault sport spider sections were from the same plant), while we were coding up the robotic system that picked the extrusion dies from the store to deliver them to the machine.
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
@@grossmeister1181 out of interest , what’s your experience of build, fab and chassis design?
@@carlwilliams3488 30 years in the automotive industry, aluminum chassis design, in cooperation with e.g. Lotus, Hydro, Renault, Audi. Why are you asking?
@@grossmeister1181 of course you are, not avatar, no channel, no nothing and you think I was born yesterday. Lol, pull the other one it’s got bells on.
Jack, you’re a dangerous man with an angle grinder! It was so funny how delighted you were while hacking your dream car to pieces! But that damage is much less than I was expecting. Most of that looks like it could be pulled out. It would have been so much easier to actually fix the damage properly when the accident happened than spend all that time bodging it! Mad what lengths people will go to!
This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
A friend spun his X1/9 on a tightening curve many moons ago and hit a boulder causing similar damage. I was in the passenger seat at the time and had a nice view of said boulder as it grew ever closer. Happy days.
The X1/9 has a steel self carrying body, total different story!
There's bodging something correct way and there's bodging the bad way. That was certainly a bad budge way.
Good to see you are doing it properly and with you recording your repair will help resale value.
A good welder/ fabricater should be able to pull and reshape the existing metal back and weld in a new top sill piece. This would be good to retain the strength and integrity. Also I would put the car on a jig just to check there are no other twists in the chassis.
Good luck!!
Ps
That's not a lot of filler compared to my old Nova SR doors. Previous owner had filled both doors with paper and filler to the size of a brick😂
Dude looks like a number27 unit is the next best move
Looking-forward to your channels growth .
Gutted you don't know the bodyshop that did that flopjob. They need to be named, shamed, fined and closed down. Great videos...and always a like from me! Definitely someone down the line bought that to save it from swinging in the breeze and move on quickly.
What I like about this video is the post mortem with the fuel line inches from the impact, second only in proximity to the driver's head. After testing on this vehicle was complete, duct tape was officially renamed Lotus tape and is still called that to this day. Quiz question; What happened to the original prototype ?
That must be repairable. Rest of the car looks fine!.....still can’t believe how well you take bad news. You really must love repairing cars😂👍
Ha!! Well car was cheap(ish) and repair should not be too expensive!
Those jacks are nice. I have one. After a while it fails, and leaks down. Make sure you have jack stands or some cheap wheels to set it on. So far as the damage goes, looks like some flat pieces welded in would do it.
As you thought Jack, this is going to make great content. I'll be "glued" to the continuing Lotus vids - Lol :-)
Cool!!!!! this rebuild is gonna be awesome , she's saveable !!!! so glad to see it's not as bad as it could of been, great content as usual mate......
thats not too bad over the years ive had and run a few sports 2000s which also use ally tubs rather similar in construction to the elise and have repaired and have had repaired all manor of damage like yours, a bit of the correct grade ally a folder a joggler some aircraft grade glue and some proper aviation/motorsport style rivets and this could all be repaired and strengthened.best of luck in your endevoures with this one.
When I saw the thumbnail “Nooooo, what has he done ?!!!” 🤣🤣🤣
Your lotus mentor Phil (also known as junks on SELOC) really is brilliant and knows his stuff. 👍
Totally agree. If it's Mr Peek, he'll sort it but I'd be absolutely shocked if he didn't insist on a complete replacement chassis.
Colin Bailey, watch this space! Phil has a lot of support from some very talented people in SELOC.
Loving the content jack, nothing is impossible, keep positive, all will be good.
Great content as always. ! Looking forward to seeing the progress on your elise 😁
Thanks buddy!
@@Number27 This can’t be fixed! It is a structural damage and totally unsafe to use! It needs a new chassis! One will never get the rigidity it needs back. The damaged part is where the highest loads are, once the aluminum got bent it cannot be bent back without losing some of its strength as well!
Buy nice or buy twice.
This is the problem with written off cars. You don’t know who’s fixed them, or tried to fix them.
Enjoy your channel and keep up the good work.
You do have a lovely smile, Jack.
Regarding Frankenlise, I can just imagine your neighbours having seen you've bought "A lovely little Lotus Elise" now being absolutely mortified whilst watching you dismembering it. I am shocked that people will do such a dangerous 'fix' just to get themselves some money without thinking of the consequences should it be involved in another similar prang.
"Looks like that sod across the road has got himself another expensive toy. What the hell, why's he got the angle grinder out while laughing manically?! OH GOD..."
@@jacobfoster6773 😂😂😂
Hello Jack, are you interested in buying second hand space ship, one careful owner, slight damage after a collision with the moon, lol, you love a challenge and I love watching your videos, keep them coming, 👍👍👍👍.
Thanks buddy!!
Not everyrhing is about money, I think it is great that you follow your dream. A lot is not doing that!!
Right now I working on my 1973 Camaro Z28 RS and my 1969 Mustang Mach 1 it cost money and time, but that is how it is :- )
Keep up the good work !!
Really interesting. I assumed an Elise with this sort of damage was completely unrepairable. I can't wait to see how the cill repair is bonded/welded? The cover-up is scary, they've bolted the roll bar down onto to something that is no longer a box beam and now lacks rigidity and strength. It's now a decorative roll bar... Bizarrely this makes me want an S1 Elise!
That should buff right out Jack! Secondly, no worries about leaving that parked right there. 😂🤣
Sorry for your Luck Brother but...
If anyone can rebuild it, You Can!!
Good luck with it Jack !
Well done getting to the heart of the bodge- looks not too bad actually with hopefully nothing out of alignment in that rear corner.
This reminds me of that episode of Father Ted where the two priests attempt to repair a small scratch on a Rover and end up demolishing the car in the process despite an ever-present optimism.
"a truck father jack? TWO TRUCKS!"
@@funkyhouseman getting off topic, but remember the miraculous image on the skirting board so Ted could kick the bishop up the arse? Jaysus i pissed meself...
@@johnphaceas7434 oh yes, that was one of the greats! I'm going to watch all of the father Ted's again, so quotable!
Top nerd fact - Edd China was the bloke that did the special effects on Father Ted and he made the famously smashed up Rover.
@@CarambleTV great knowledge, i didn't know that!