Lotus Elan SE (M100) 1991 Renovation - Episode One
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2020
- Between June and September 2020 I undertook the laborious task of recommissioning a 1991 Lotus Elan SE that had been off the road for some time and was in a pretty poor state of neglect. I made these little clips on my phone and Tweeted them to my followers at the height of the coronavirus lockdown, partly to break the isolation but also to share the joys and pains of the restoration with other like-minded people. The response has been surprising with so many people enthusiastically following the story in real time. Thanks to all of them for making the renovation such an enjoyable, shred experience.
Many suggested I should put the whole thing on UA-cam, to help and inspire other to get stuck in to their projects, so here it is - the first of a short series of episodes cataloguing the car's journey back to life. Please note, I am not a professional mechanic - I don't even have a garage over my head - so if you're inspired to get the wrenches out and it goes pear-shaped, don't hold me responsible. Also, for heaven's sake take the proper safety precautions. Always use axle stands whenever you remove one or more wheels, always were eye protection if there's even the remotest chance of getting something into your eye and wear gloves and any other protective clothing if there's the slightest chance you could hurt yourself.
Anyway, here's the video. More to come in the coming days and week. Hope you enjoy. - Авто та транспорт
Incredible. So pleased to see this!
Sorry to self publicise. But you might like my M100 channel too Richard.
Great video. I also have been working on my Elan during lock down. Replaced breaks, exhaust and fixed the pop up headlights. All good fun.
I also feel your pain. Spent all winter on our elan. I will be continuing over this winter with more work. It also failed its mot last week, so I have extra work to do
Fantastic.
Bloody hell Conor you are a brave man for doing this..
Gonna binge watch your vids now though 👌
This video brings me joy
I'm glad, Dave.
Me too 👍
Ha I have that exact same radio in my Citroen berlingo
Watched all 10 episodes now, brilliant and bingeworthy! You have a great way of delivering practical information in a fun and watchable way.
Bought mine last October and spending time now going through everything, just in the process of pulling out the gear shift mechanism which is a bit sloppy for my liking. Just like an old house though, one job ends up becoming 10! Wish I had the benefit of the lovely weather that you had last summer!
Thanks for your efforts!👍
Thank you for the very kind note, Jeremy, I'm really glad you enjoyed my videos. What made you want to get an Elan? They're a bit of a left-field choice. Mine had the SJS quick shift kit fitted (one of the few good things it did have) so I don't know what the original shift is like but I hear it was pretty sloppy. Mine is still an ongoing project - hot starting and crunching 3rd gear is the latest fun!
@@ConorTwomey Hi Conor, I’ve had a few ‘classics’ and the Elan attracted me for a few reasons. I remember drooling over one when they were first launched, loved the looks and then they just disappeared! After selling a few of my bikes last summer this one popped up while I was looking for something British and sporty. Like you I was smitten by the prospect of pop up headlights and the more I read about them the more they intrigued me. Like the mix of Japanese mechanicals and Lotus chassis design and the fact that they shouldn’t rot away like my old MG’s (and 911) did! Like you I enjoy doing everything myself and as performance cars go this is pretty simple and relatively inexpensive to drive and maintain. It came with a full detailed history and mot, luckily I noticed a fuel tank leak straight away so this was repaired before I took it home. Gear change is better after some tlc and grease but there is some obvious wear which I will monitor and perhaps replace with your quick shift system at some point. Elan Central is brilliant and I’ve also now found the SJ Sportscars site so happy days!😃
Roll on summer!☀️🏎
Nice video Conor. I feel your pain. My window seals currently consist of gaffer tape at the moment 🤣. Good luck with the project. 👍
Which seals? I modified these for the A pillars and they worked a treat:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EPDM-Steel-Belt-Rubber-Seal-Strip-Car-Window-Door-Wind-Dust-Prevent-Weatherstrip/223952769678?pageci=a61e39d8-fcb9-4fae-a687-f357926ab6fa
@@ConorTwomey Yes it needs the same ones that run down the A-Pillar. You can see the gaffer tape in my first video. Might give those alternatives a try!
Following on Twitter - great to see this and look forward to many more (well maybe not MANY more, depends on how bad it gets).
Its a Lotus. It could get bad 🤣
@@karlhurn Lots of trouble.....usually serious indeed
@@BrettsJacksonyou do know that this particular 30 year old car was torn to pieces (and then put back together without an instruction manual) for the sake of a TV programme don't you? Watch the relationship between Conor and his Elan develop, and then you'll see why that LOTUS acronym is particularly unfair.
Where did you get the door seals? Thank you.
Great stuff Conor, I love that you got stuck in straight away! Is there much of a back story on how the car came to be in that condition?
Funny you should ask... www.channel4.com/programmes/mission-ignition
Where did you buy the seals from?
I know it’s a few years ago but have you a link to the aerial thanks
Lee
@leeopenshaw9302 Hi Lee - Google Eightwood DAB/FM Car Antenna. It's available on Amazon or directly, if I recall correctly. Works pretty well, to be fair.
Amazing work ! From model and where did you bought the new seal ? Thanks
I found them on eBay - they take a while to arrive but they can be made work. They're not 100% perfect but they're good enough to drive even when it's properly raining. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223952769678
Conor Twomey many thanks , let me know if you need any parts for this car .
@@ConorTwomey hi friend , could you please send me the picture or new link ? Many thanks
M100 or s2 is better??
This is an S1 M100 - production ended in 1992 but restarted when Lotus was under new ownership in 1995. That's the S2 M100. Not a huge difference between them but S2 got more modern colours, bigger (prettier) wheels and a few worthwhile suspension tweaks. Slightly less power, though, thanks to a catalytic converter. S2s are more desired because they're a bit better made and not as old, but at this point it's really down the condition of the individual car.
@@ConorTwomey hello good evening. Thanks for the reply:) do you know if this engine is easy and reliable to increase the horse power like at 250-300 hp without huge cost and issues???
@aaapisto1014 There was a limited number of "Mountain" chips out there that could boost power to fairly impressive numbers. They're hard to find now, though, and the stress on older hoses, belts and components might make it quite unreliable. The car is at the age that originality is more valued than mods so I'd suggest either buy a previously tuned car - with all the issues ironed out - or find an original motor and keep it that way.