Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Gmg31 on Saturday,September 05, 2020, 11:34:02 AM
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my latest Europa project came up on Facebook a few months ago and I couldn’t quite believe my luck. I loved my yellow Else Europa but it was my first Europa project and there were always elements of the car that I wish I’d done better or differently.
The back story to the new project is that it was involved in a rear collision about 25 years ago which required a replacement left rear quarter. Unfortunately when the monkey that fitted it lined up the new quarter with the chassis he didn’t realise that the chassis was bent until he went to fit the engine cover which was by then about 12mm too wide for the opening. He tried to shave the engine cover with obvious comedy consequences before giving up and selling the car as a project.
The next guy took the body off and had the chassis straightened and powder coated. He then restored and rebuilt the entire chassis with new brakes, suspension and coolant pipes. He sourced a Renault 17 Gordini Engine and gearbox and had them fully reconditioned and installed.
And then, inexplicably, he waxed it all, wheeled it to the corner of his workshop and left it for 20 years.
When I heard the story, I didn’t hesitate and agreed to pay the asking price over phone and this new project was in my workshop within 24hrs.
The project came with loads of spares and it quickly became apparent that I had another Else Europa which was later confirmed by the heritage certificate. The original Else R16 was present and in good condition and I had boxes of spares to catalogue.
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Work started this week to remove loads of really poor body filler and to cut the rear joint and fit the new engine cover. once fitted and spaced the rear panels were joined with splints to hold everything securely before I start the task of stitching the panels across the joint and layering combi matting across the rear of the joint.
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That looks like another great project (with a very strange back story!). It's not often that we get a second chance to build a similar car. There are several things I would have done differently and it would be fun to have a second shot at it. Unfortunately, that's not in the cards.
Good luck with your new baby and please keep us informed about your progress!
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I like the way you "stitched " the repair area! Should create a strong repair!
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when are you going to finish that Sprint???
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The Elan has gone on the back burner. My Europa is a much higher priority.
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I started realigning the rear quarter over the last few weeks. I started by doing a step cut in the rear centre panel, pulling the sections apart and bolting them firmly to the chassis. You can see from the final position that the panels needed to be about 12mm further apart than originally fitted. Then I fitted the new engine cover and once correctly spaced I used steel brackets to, temporarily, hold the rear sections firmly in place. Over the last week I set about stitching the two sections together using carbon fibre filament and once this was firmly in place I layered Glass Fibre Combi matting on the interior of the panels and soaked all of the carbon fibre stitching with resin. Once this was set I fitted recessed glass fibre matting to the front of the panels and then skimmed over the top with body filler.
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You weren't kidding when you said "stitching!" I've never seen that technique before. It will certainly be very strong! I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.
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Very interesting......
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Whilst repairing the rear quarter I discovered that the previous repairs had not adequately fibre glassed the inner wheel arch. Unfortunately it’s not possible to mould large panels of fibre glass upside down from within the arch and there is no way of accessing this from above without opening up an access panel. So I cut out a section and laid in 4 layers of woven combi matting and resin. I then re stitched the panel back into place and bonded that back into place.
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Nice work Gmg31!
I have seen the interlock before but with doublers applied to both sides. The stitches, or lacing were a great idea. You should have an extremely strong joint.
Dakazman
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An early Spyder chassis ?
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Looks like it. They are really nice.
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Looks like it. They are really nice.
Wont be fitting one soon to my car, just a modern spaceframe
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Yeah, the space frame is better. I think I read that they had to stop making their older frames because Lotus complained.
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My understanding is that once the chassis was found to be bent it was sent to spyder to be straightened and powder coated. I’m taking the body off again in a few weeks and will post some more photos.
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One of the things I didn’t like about my last Europa project was how flimsy and often brittle the 50 year old glass fibre was. I was always conscious that I was unlikely to survive a crash. So with this new blank canvas I prepared to reinforce some key body panels. I researched and sourced multi layered woven Combi matting and Crystic resin. But I also discovered genuine carbon fibre woven matting and with that in mind I began to experiment in small areas to build up my confidence. The car came with a brand new bonnet and engine cover which did not have cross bracing. So I made a template and cut a carbon fibre panel which was secured with resin. As the resin soaked into the matting it dried in an uneven Matt finish but another top coat of resin left a beautiful smooth gloss finish. Yes I know I’m adding weight but I hope that the added rigidity and structural integrity will offset the increase. In the coming weeks I’m working on the rear inner wheels and front floor.
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Those are going to be the stiffest bonnet and boot on any Europa! :)
Looks great, though! I know it’s not going to help in a crash, but the area around the windshield could use some stiffening. I might add the carbon fiber with the windshield in place to ensure it will fit after.
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Busy week getting the body ready to go to the paint shop tomorrow. Carbon fibre reinforced rear inner wheel arches to match the bonnet and engine cover. Engine bay, plenum chamber and front compartment prepped and ready. Body mounted on a wheelie pallet ready to go.
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Body is now ready with some subtle “updates”. Off to the paint shop
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The front hood closure system looks interesting. Can you show details?
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Aero catch mount almost flush. Easy to install in the front. Not so easy on the engine cover but watch this space.
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You’ve got a great start for another beautiful car!
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Whilst the shell was away I got on with some upgrades on the chassis. Banks rear disc kit and a little bit of paint on the callipers and dampers. I removed the old style soundproofing and replaced it with closed cell neoprene. Turns out this is not a repaired chassis it is quite clearly brand new along with Every single bit bolted to it.
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Did you get the springs from Lotus-supplies (Banks)? Do you know the rates and free lengths?
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Sorry I don’t know the answers. These were installed by the previous owner. All I did was re paint them.
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Body is back from paint. Chassis is almost ready to be reunited.
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Boy! That was quick! :huh:
And pretty!
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That’s nice 👍👍
Dakazman
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I like that blue. :trophy:
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Nice!
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I like the blue as well.
I have a TC, 2624R and I am looking at colors for the future painting.
In that vein, since I have a Lagoon Blue, I would like to know what the color is, so I can check.
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It’s Lotus B20 Azure Blue.
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Beautiful!
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Nice work. Getting it done at a good pace as well.
I need to get cracking on mine!