Will it start after 10 years in a barn?! | Lotus Elite | Classic Obsession | Episode 22
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 лют 2023
- Gary attempts to get his new Lotus Elite running after laying up in a barn for ten years. As he prepares for the 'Classic Car & Restoration Show' at the Birmingham NEC and the arduous task of restoring this Colin Chapman legend, he encounters a few surprises along the way.
Created with the support of Footman James, classic vehicle insurance specialists and founders of Coffee and Chrome Collective: www.footmanjames.co.uk/
Created with the support of IntroCar, International Rolls-Royce and Bentley Parts Specialists:
www.introcar.com/
Use code “MAVERS” for site wide discount on Rolls-Royce and Bentley parts. - Авто та транспорт
Gary your doing well for a lad from draycott st we moved in to your old house at 42 the wife said your mother was near the top any way as paint sprayer for 45 years you do a great job from Gary.
I came to this episode after stumbling across the 928 GT episode. What a cool guy Tom us. These are carefully chosen cars that he clearly loved and enjoyed for many years. The fact that he has done work on them himself too is just fantastic. It feels like like there are less and less men around like Tom and that’s a shame. Thanks for saving this car and also taking us the ride with you 👍🏻
cannot believe how clean it is underneath
lotus is a stylish name for a car
That rotted cross member ties the two rear suspension towers together!! To fix properly the body needs to come off. Had exactly the same problem on an Elite 40 years ago😁😁
Well done Gary what a result you've curred the addiction she's out of rehab brilliant
That was sweet. Just watching this for the second time. It’s a great episode.
It was great to meet you on the Virgin Atlantic flight to LA Gary , glad you got the hire car sorted too.Regards Si VA
All the best Simon!
As Andy said. Body off and clean up the chassis and it will be good for decades more enjoyment. I loved your investigation process to get it running again , it sounds sweet as a nut. Between this and the incoming 928 we have some fantastic episodes ahead, thanks so much Gary!
Gary was blown away by your car's previous owners what stories the could tell you showed your respect and admiration for them both you'll do a great job on this car. Your mum and dad would've been proud of your care for them both
John
that would be a good candidate for a dry ice blasting underneath, bet it would clean right up. then just a few leaks to fix and the crossmember.
My dad bought a new 501 from Len Street Motors in Chelsea,1976.It was like a space ship to a young kid.NUC 315P.
Subscribed 👍
Be careful Gary... Easy Start is very addictive lol
Sounds very sweet. Tom looked after the car so well.
Good to see you rescued not only the Lotus, also picking up the 928 GT , two favoured cars who both I let pass for buying a Boxster.
Your Hair is Awesome.
Really impressed how simple you make it, especially with the very calm music, thank you
Body off wire brush chassis ready for any repairs and good coat if protective paint it will be around for many years to come
get them twin Webbers on la!!!
Love the channel and also the characters that you introduce us to. Tom is a proper gentleman and would love to hear from him. As a Porsche fan boy looking forward to the 928.
After sitting all that time, I thought to myself, there's no way that's going to start without major work. Being an avid subscriber, I really should have known better. Looking forward to watching you restore this lovely British classic back to it's former glory. Thanks for sharing, Sir.
I used to have a 1974 503 ( REG NUMBER SCT 100N) Elite back in 1984/85 when i was 20. I still have the original Lotus workshop manual with all the factory updates in the original yellow binder. The 503 had the air con fitted. Nice car some of the parts were morris marina and maxi parts in the gear box.The vaccum pods that pull the headlights down were prone for rotting out and causing leaks in the system and the heater system was prone for air leaks too all the push conectors on the pipes were cracking with age.Good luck with this project.
Thanks Mitch. I think the heater matrix is toast on this as it’s been bypassed. Regards.
@@classic.obsession If its not leaking you can connect the garden hose to it and flush it out in either direction to clear the blockage if it is blocked. Not a nice job removing the heater matrix. I think the heater unit was from a jaguar from around the mid 70's if my memory serves me correct.
“Purring like a kitten” as my dad would say. Good job!
Smashing that ‘like’ button again Gary.
Gary, thoroughly enjoyed this episode. As a teenager in Johannesburg, in the seventies, hankered after an Elan +2S, but had to settle for a Europa due to a scarcity of product. When the Elite was unveiled, I spent many, many hours pouring over all the catalogues and literature. Still have such a soft spot for the older Lotus cars.
My father had a Gold ‘V’ reg Lotus Elite, bought new from Norfolk Motor Company in Norwich in 1979. The sales team were quite interesting. Every question we asked them was replied with “Because the car does in excess of 100 MPH….eg: It can only have one heavier windscreen wiper as two would be lifted off the windscreen at high speed.”
It went like sh!te off a shovel and was really fun to drive.
Personally speaking, in my opinion the Esprit is still the most beautiful car ever built.
When you discovered the fuel pump not working, I was saying..... give it a tap !
Always get jammed those, microswitch gets sticky.
But I guess you wanted to make it more reliable !
Great videos, pure Petrol Head entertainment.
Gavin,21, a Scot's friend had on of these mid 70's in London... His mother's car.Hit the rear of a lorry ! We both ducked as the frame came through the windshield! Same spec
Love the show, you have convinced me that restoring classic cars is beyond my ability. Will stick to watching your programmes
A 928 now that would be interesting Gary i cant wait Keep them Rolling mate
This is such a pleasure to watch, even more than Ed Chinas stuff as of late. NO offence on this but you remind me of Steve McQueen (it's the hair cut) :P
SU pumps are reliable too, just need to be in order, a few months ago i repared one of my 71 xj6 and work as new.👍 24:53
The British version of the AMC Gremlin. Kool piece I like it!!!!
I am mechanically useless so I’ll never experience this but the moment where you manage to get something that’s completely dead to fire up must be incredible. Great show Gary 👏🏻
Thank you for another fabulous video Gary. I very much look forward to them.
When you picked up the Lotus, I thought the gentleman who owned it was actor Trevor Peacock until you mentioned that he was a physician. Thank you again from Maine USA.
Very good, now drill some holes in the floor and move the driver’s seat back 5” so you can get it and drive it !
Lovely stylish car from the period when Mario Andretti won the F1 crown in a Black Lotus.
1:53 - that's a great idea... i wish my cars had fillers on both sides
Awesome channel and brilliant cars. Thank you Gary, really enjoyable content. ❤
You get it right Gary. Enjoy the job on this very special car. 👍🏻👍🏻
Hey Gary ! brilliant episode as usual. That feeling you get when you get a car started for the first time when its been laid up for years is just awesome :-) Fabulous project this one - cant believe the jack was still in the motor and never used including its bits of wood packing - how much more original can you get ! looking forward to seeing progress on this and your usual end to end refurbing . Cant wait to see the next episode on the Porsche and the series to follow . Cheers Stew
Glad you got the car and you will do it justice
Therapy for the soul! Greetings
from southern Sweden.
Gaz u need a lay down board on wheels that concrete floor is dam cold 🥶 pal
Great fun ,sounds like an old Bedford CF van cranking with the 2.3 Vauxhall slant being the base engine for the 907 lotus ..happy days .
Tom upgraded the engine to a 2.3!! Changed the crank etc…
Top work!
Not a power tool in sight, so refreshing.
Really enjoyed this Gary, thanks. Looking forward to the 928 as well
Think you ‘re on to a winner there Gary . Once fired up sounds a treat. Sure enough , chassis might need a bit of love (later cars had galvanised chassis I believe) but generally seeing this car to be a good number for you. Wait til you drive it , you’ll fall for her big time .
Great video as always Gary, cannot wait to see it fully restored to it’s former glory 👍🏼
Those rusted through straps aren't part of the chassis. They hold the captive nuts for the rear seat belts.
Looking forward to seeing it on the road but it's giving me PTSD watching you😂
sounds brilliant nice fuel pump for a 5er sir thanks for a great episode
Great camera work. Feels like we're working on the Elite right there with you! Must beautifully filmed and produced auto channel on UA-cam!
This is going to be a fascinating project to follow!!!❤
Thanks for a wonderful series🍀
I had a 79 Eclat, great car. Very stylish, but in the 90's it wasn't easy to find someone to work on it. Good luck, it'll be a learning curve!
Cambelt service interval is 24,00 miles or 2 years and they don't like sitting, so a new belt would have been very advisable, even if it hadn't been run since replacement.
Rotten rear seatbelt braces are very common. Stainless replacements are available.
Thanks Paul. Best parts outlet? Regards.
@@classic.obsession Lotus Bits and SJ Sportscars
Another great project who gonna take a long time to finish.
Your knowlege and patient are great
Keep the good job you're the best
I discovered this channel a week ago and have binge watched it since, quality.
Thanks Kev.
I watched a video on the development of the Elite (Type 75) and it was quite a collaboration. Designed by Oliver Winterbottom (ex-Jaguar), the Chassis and suspension were primarily by Colin Chapman, the Interior by Giorgetto Giugiaro Of ItalDesign and the Elite had the first in-house Lotus engine. There were plans to put a 4-litre V8 in it which would have overcome some concerns that the Elite would be a bit underpowered with a 4-cylinder engine. I look forward to seeing this car returned to its former glory. 👍
Just found your channel. Watched the Porsche and now the Lotus. Two great cars. Really enjoyed watching.
the previous owner (what a gent) I think said he'd clocked it twice - and it sounds as sweet as that? great buy and yes, we are jealous
if i lived in the UK I'd buy the Porsche off you when it's done ..alas I'm in Australia ...love those cars especially that spec!
Lucky me, your channel just appeared on my homepage for the first time, so now subscribed. I've always liked 70's Lotuses although they're getting on now but they looked amazing 40 years ago and still do.
Nice work!! Thanks for sharing!!
Surprised it started the first time with a Halfords battery lol !
Good work sir, great car timeless design.
Boss this la 👌🏼
Another great video , looking forward to see the next episode of the 928 , you are living the dream.
Of course it will
Nice car. I once looked at a long-neglected Elite (in a very '70s shade of brown) in the southern USA. It was bad enough that it would've been basically a new car by the time it was restored to running order: ruined interior, damaged wiring, and worst of all, cracked fiberglass on the roof around the A pillars and windscreen. The glass was good, and the engine seemed to be complete (though a good amount of it was in the trunk), but it was far too much work for me to deal with, especially the body. I probably could have bought a decent one for less than it would've cost to buy and restore that one. The distributor is funny on these: it's driven directly by its own wheel off the cam belt, which is why it's in such an odd position under the intake.
Great video Gary 👍🏻😀
My 77 elite didnt have a rotten chassis but there were stress cracks around the diff and other places. Chapman cars were made to last 1 race and then be rebuilt.
lovely, cant beat the noise of those carbs sucking up the fuel, your face said it all when she fired up,, i recall a friend had one probably 30 years ago now maybe more, always a pain getting in and out and we would been in early thirties and flexible , be careful jacking it up, am sure he cracked windscreen jacking up a corner to change a tyre, but it did have a bit rusty frame, look forward to watching how you get on,
Great Video Gary. Best of luck ! D.R
Great video Gary very informative
Great viewing, can’t wait for the next episode 👍
Oh and make sure you change the cam belt ASAP. Had one of those snap on an Eclat as well - not good bent valves etc.
I know. Last Cambell fitted by Porsche at 75k….26 years ago! Why are these so called Porsche specialists and Porsche uk themselves, very happy to service these cars on a regular basis but will procrastinate or avoid doing the all important cam belt? Are they just lazy or plain incompetent? 16 years!!!! And 40k miles later?!! Should’ve had four fitted in that time. Regards.
Sorry typo…16 years ago..
Well done Gary
A very enjoyable video. Thanks
Great vid, great comments. Strictly as a precaution, may I suggest keeping a fire extinguisher close at hand y'know, in these early 'recommissioning' stages . If one a them twin 45s blow a diaphragm, they'll leak straight onto the alternator below... (hey, that's why we love em 🤣) Also I'll add, check and keep the two hinge pins lubed, cos if one a them seizes it'll tear the door beam, which is pig of a job to repair. Full on assault with WD/40 at regular intervals would be my suggestion. I watched the video where you collected the car, what a fascinating gentleman who mantained the car well, much respect. He who has respect for the 70's Lotus, as my respect. They are the last car's that were produced when Colin Chapman was alive. I still have my oringinal '78' eclat in black which I've had for many years (none runner... belt... *groan*... 🙄) I would say that if anything, they are 'real' motoring 😊 an expirence that every keen motorist should, well...expirence...😄 never a dull moment if running one of these as a daily. Character building, teaches one to have a steely nerve☝🤣 Everything I'd heard or read about happened to me in mine (bought in 1993 aged 18) and also a few things I hadn't heard or read about...🤣 As previously mentioned the Maxi internals don't like a bashing, but if you're kind to em, those gearboxes are perfectly adequate in my opinion, and actually really nice to use...they also make a nice 'whine', makes it feel like your in a race car, which practically you are. All the best 👍
Thanks Dan…what have I let myself in for?!! Regards.
@@classic.obsession lots of (s) miles 😊
Love it, Love it your a very lucky man 👍
Best classic car channels on UA-cam
Classic Obsession - Gary Mavers
Soup Classic Motoring - Lotus Esprit
Harry's garage
Tyrrell's Classic Workshop
Thank me later
Really appreciate it Damien! Regards.
@@classic.obsession Is that your Lee doing the acoustic guitar intros on some videos ?
Yep.
@@classic.obsession double subscribed ❤
Awesome episode, really enjoyed it!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Another quality video
Please wear eye protection when you are underneath the cars
Anyone know what music is playing at 21 mins
18:28 gently does it.
That frames looks to be the mild steel version
Those screen wash jets are pure Colin Chapman, crimped tubes, LOL.
I know Roger!! What a joke!! Regards.
You probably know this by now by those rusty ‘straps’ are just seat belt fixings. You’ll only need to replace them if you are going to fit rear belts.
I knew you’d buy the Porsche to good to miss
Brave resto for the present values. It's got to be a massive appreciating classic.Probably against your ethics but I'd remove the rear seats and make a larger boot space area for touring.
you cant really as the petrol tank is below the windowed partition unless one relocated the tank to where the spare wheel goes ?
The more it ran the better it sounded Gary.
Hi Scott….I know and it was still on choke. When I pushed it in it was quiet as a sewing machine. Lovely engine. Regards.
Ha! The distributor location is even worse for access on an Esprit. Also notorious for fires if leaky carbs drip fuel them so it's worth double checking there are no fuel leaks in that area!
I know! Terrifying! I’ve just removed the Delortos for a rebuild. Regards.
Good luck with the car. I had one many years ago with an XJ6 rear end and rover V8. Changed vacuum headlamps to VW electric cable-winder windscreen motors with all sorts of limit switches everywhere. Have you needed to adopt the 'Lotus position' yet I wonder, lying on the seat on your back with head under the dash looking upwards and legs in the air?
Tip: Proper polarised lens glasses are very useful for seeing through the steep raked screen in anything but perfect conditions.
Hi man, loved your videos. Just wondering if I can apply as your personal editor so I can reduce your scope of work. I would love to enhance your videos including thumbnails and any other elements that might be a great asset for your channel to grow exponentially. Pls let me know what you think!
The rusted parts at the rear of the car are the spreader bars for the rear seat belts which hold the captive nuts. I think they were pop rivited in place to hold them in position until the rear belts were fitted. The major rust point on these cars is the top chassis rail between the two rear shock absorber mounts. Impossible to see without the body off. There is a bit of felt between the body and this rail which holds water and rots it out. The front lower arm on your front suspension looks poor. These rot for England and were weak but cheap to replace. The other real achillies heal of these cars is the lower rod bar which goes through the bottom of the rear hub and bottom rear wishbone. These MUST move or the snap. They are seriously expensive and are made of a special steel. If they move then they will survive unless you cane it off the line. If these don't break the the layshaft bearing in the rebadged/cased Austin Maxi gearbox will not handle the power! These are stunning cars I have owned and rebuilt several but nothing was over specified. Great move on the fuel pump as the rear hatch drains block up and swamp the fuel pump with water. Drill a hole in the body near the fuel pump. Check the rad fans as ther seem to stop in the rain. Keep oiling the wiper arm as if your life depends on it as if it siezes you seem to have to take the whole car apart to replace it. After that they drive and handle out of this world I wish I still had one. Good luck Hugh
Thanks Hugh. Regards.
I am interested to see how you repair those body supports at the back which have completely rotted away. I have exactly the same problem with my Lotus Excel which is, apart from that, a solid car.
I’m told these cars drive and handle amazingly. Even weigh out power assisted steering. That rotted strap at the rear of the chassis was for the seat belt mounts. Regards.
Flimsy? A Lotus? Never!
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Better to find that rotten strap now that doing 65 on the motorway.
Those lower front suspension Arms look little crusty. If those are available it would be good upgrade to change those.
Chassis designers were busy "adding lightness" as top a consideration.
Passed an MOT in july 2018 so stood for less than 5 years.
Oh…so you know. It was driven regularly even though it had only been taken out of the barn to be taken for it’s mot each year and parked up again? Did you know a car can be taken on a trailer and mot’d? What’s your point ?
@@classic.obsession MOT mileage history over the last 10 years = 14Feb2013 - 58365, 8May2014 - 60000, 5May2015 - 62630, 26Jul2016 - 64644, 20Jul2017 - 65969, 24Jul2018 - 67180, current mileage from your vid at 23.10 minutes - 67926. So it's covered 9,561 over the last 10 years.........in the barn. Regards.
No, actually you’re wrong. it’s (as Tom told me) covered 167.926k miles so I’ll ask you again. What’s your point ? Are you trying to insinuate I was ripped off by a lovely 92 year old guy who’s become a little bit forgetful? You can dig for info all you like paul, I don’t care if it’s done a million miles. I’m very happy with the car and intend to rebuild it and take Tom for a ride in it when it’s done. Regards.
@@classic.obsession no disrespect as im restoring one but i dont think that interior looks like its done 167000 they're very weak cloth , i think mine has done a genuine 78k and its in tatters 😉