Lotus Europa Community

Thanks to all for the input on the door pins. I suspect it'll end up as a hacksaw job, given the way everything else not made of fibreglass seems to have fared...

Worked on with the stripdown this afternoon, another session of mixed progress.    N/s door is now stripped of its door card, internal door locking mechanism, striker and electric winder motor. Drilled out the various rivets, and dug out the mastic round the frame, which is now loose as far as the quarterlight glass, which is not feeling like it wants to move. Am I missing something here? Do I need to winkle out the rubber seal round the glass?  Don't want to break anything, so have left it overnight to read up on.

The electric window winder wouldn't work when I tested it, but you could hear the motor trying both ways. Will separate the motor and mechanism tomorrow and hopefully it's just the mechanism gunged or rusted up, and will free off.

Removed the remains of the seat runner fixings, carpet and underlay/sound deadening, and looked at the seat belt. The buckle mount was not even fixed in, sill mount for the belt will not unfasten so far - I fear the problems that EuropaTC (Brian) had with the strengthening plate may be a problem for me too. Will have a look from the wheelarch, where I will also have to retrieve the door catch that fell into the void!

Finally removed the centre console, which as you can see has had a tough life. plan is to strip it back, fibreglass it up to put the strength back in it, and re-cover it. However, if I delete the ashtray then I can put a screen or phone mount in the space freed up, as a nod to the 21st century. 

Sorry if this sounds a bit whingy - I can't afford a Lotus and a therapist.    Back to it tomorrow.