Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Resources, Parts and Products => Topic started by: Chuck Nukem on Friday,March 20, 2020, 09:28:05 AM

Title: Unobtanium
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Friday,March 20, 2020, 09:28:05 AM
Hey guys,

I figured this would be a good place to consolidate all the common unobtanium parts for all series of Europa.

Ashtray
Door latch mechanism for S1, S2, TCS
Rear tail lights S1
365 Transaxle parts


What else is hard to come by?
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: EuropaTC on Friday,March 20, 2020, 09:33:46 AM
money -  when your other half realises what we're spending ?   :)
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: 4129R on Friday,March 20, 2020, 09:47:14 AM
Smiths squirrel cage heater motors/blowers.

Seat shells for TC.

Weber heads.

Door window motors.

Inertia seat belts.

9mm bolts gear-change rod to gearbox selector rod.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: surfguitar58 on Friday,March 20, 2020, 09:47:52 AM
money -  when your other half realises what we're spending ?   :)

 :FUNNY:
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: dakazman on Friday,March 20, 2020, 06:08:06 PM
Smiths squirrel cage heater motors/blowers.



  4129 , If Needed , pA member on Instagram said a better fan assembly is a lotus Elise/ exige s2. Also quieter and more cfm . I understand the originals are rare.

  Speedo gearing or cable,   I’ve heard something about.
Dakazman



Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Lou Drozdowski on Friday,March 20, 2020, 07:30:10 PM
For me it's

#1  Door seals that fit and work...I have tried just about every source.

#2 Original windshield trim with corners for the TC...Installed last mfg set from Japan 8 years ago via Ray at R &D hope it lasts another 40.

#3 I have a spare squirrel cage...whew!

#4 Factory tool kit with tools, Jack and bag with spare wheel strap.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: EuropaTC on Friday,March 20, 2020, 11:16:18 PM
4129R, you can get weber heads from QED. Ok, they are selling the casting for theElan/Ford installation but the only difference AFAIK is the extra long inlet cam which requires machining for the seal arrangement. Not a big deal considering all the other machining that's going on anyway.

https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/product/cylinder-head-small-large-port/ (https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/product/cylinder-head-small-large-port/)

(I didn't say you'd like the price though.....  ;)   )

Brian
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: SilverBeast on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 12:38:31 AM
....they are selling the casting for theElan/Ford installation ....

Brian

There is a Europa option in the drop-down box at the bottom for an extra £75...
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: EuropaTC on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 12:54:56 AM
I hadn't noticed that option and to be honest, £75 doesn't sound out of the way.  There's a guy on the Elan forum that's used one of these castings to rebuild his engine and by his accounts it's a quality item.

Brian
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: 4129R on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 05:41:58 AM
4129R, you can get weber heads from QED. Ok, they are selling the casting for theElan/Ford installation but the only difference AFAIK is the extra long inlet cam which requires machining for the seal arrangement. Not a big deal considering all the other machining that's going on anyway.

https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/product/cylinder-head-small-large-port/ (https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/product/cylinder-head-small-large-port/)

(I didn't say you'd like the price though.....  ;)   )

Brian

I got a new one from QED for my keeper. Unobtainium is expensive.

I have bought several second hand heads, and all needed work plus the inlet cam groove cut near the alternator pulley wheel. 
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: TurboFource on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 05:53:43 AM
The rubber mesh material in the seats?
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: BDA on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 06:34:10 AM
Boy Turbo, that's a strange one to think about! You're almost certainly correct. When I had my seats redone, the shop replaced that with cloth webbing.

I would put that in the same category as front A-arms, outer seatbelt anchors, and TCS trim pieces. They are no longer made but replacements or reproductions are available.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: 4129R on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 09:52:41 AM
Those little round door light switches.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Nockenwelle on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 04:41:54 PM
The Europa S1 is full of unobtanium parts:

- Carello tail lights
- Oddie hood faster (push style) engine bonnet
- Oddie fasteners (locked with key) front hood
- speedometer and tachometer (they were bigger than the later ones)
- seats
- single piece fixed side windows made of glass (not all were plastic)
- seat belt assembly
- dash air vents, unfortunately those are the same as the ones used on the Miura
- early 336 gear boxes were different too (different shift pattern
- luggage tray with battery compartment
- 4.5 steel wheels
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: BDA on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 05:09:16 PM
Quote
- dash air vents, unfortunately those are the same as the ones used on the Miura

That's REALLY something when you might have to rely on a Lamborghini model that ended production 47 years ago after a run of 764 cars for a part!!!

Speaking of dash air vents, is there a supplier or replacement for the dash vents on a TC (are they the same as on an S2?)?
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,March 21, 2020, 06:35:02 PM
Those little round door light switches.
  Door jamb switch? See pic
Dakazman
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: 4129R on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 01:51:58 AM
Quote
Speaking of dash air vents, is there a supplier or replacement for the dash vents on a TC (are they the same as on an S2?)?

Ford Cortina Mk II,     I believe.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Roger on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 02:30:29 AM
Dash vents on a TC are Cortina, I think.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Rainer on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 03:42:18 AM
- Early heater valves

Got a new S1 luggage box from SJS last year, i do not know if it was the last.

The early vents should be Renault 10 ones, but they are pretty much unobtanium as well.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/vive-la-difference-1965-1971-renault-10/

I am working on the windscreen vents, to replace the cardboard ones, keep in mind this is still in progress, tabs missing fit is not perfect yet.

Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Lou Drozdowski on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 08:43:12 AM
Those little round door light switches.
  Door jamb switch? See pic
Dakazman
....R&D also has them.

https://www.rdent.com/
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 09:18:41 AM
The Europa S1 is full of unobtanium parts:

- Carello tail lights
- Oddie hood faster (push style) engine bonnet
- Oddie fasteners (locked with key) front hood
- speedometer and tachometer (they were bigger than the later ones)
- seats
- single piece fixed side windows made of glass (not all were plastic)
- seat belt assembly
- dash air vents, unfortunately those are the same as the ones used on the Miura
- early 336 gear boxes were different too (different shift pattern
- luggage tray with battery compartment
- 4.5 steel wheels

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23574881@N06/34469088805 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/23574881@N06/34469088805)

I'll be damned!
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: gideon on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 11:53:48 AM
Rainer - I like to encourage people to share their CAD models, if it's done as a hobby for non commercial reasons.  Autodesk make this easy with Fusion 360.  Here's something I did earlier - https://a360.co/2JT7O79 .  There should be opportunities for collaboration on building CAD models of some of these unobtainium parts.  Maybe somewhere in the world, someone else is also trying to draw up the same dash vents...

Oddie fasteners are still a going concern. Have you tried contacting them?   https://www.oddie-fasteners.com/contact.php
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Nockenwelle on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 02:44:57 PM
@Rainer Thanks for the Renault R10 hint. I knew I had seen them before but I had forgotten on which car besides the Miura.

I updated the Oddie thread with some details on my solution for those parts:
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=3257.msg38341#msg38341
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: SilverBeast on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 04:00:53 PM
There is a Smith's squirrel cage heater blower (working with brackets $78 Rhode Island) and S1 rear light pair(£199.99 "need work" with 2 lenses and bulb holders missing) and a set of lenses (also £199.99 NOS on Ebay Portugal) at the moment
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 06:00:12 PM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Miura-P-400-S-SV-Inner-Air-Vent-OEM-New/163962422261?hash=item262cec03f5:g:-voAAOSwAS1dgUm2 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Miura-P-400-S-SV-Inner-Air-Vent-OEM-New/163962422261?hash=item262cec03f5:g:-voAAOSwAS1dgUm2)

Wow!
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: BDA on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 07:13:08 PM
Those Lamborghini parts are expensive! On another thread a guy was asking about my electric mirrors. I tried to find them but they are no longer in production. I did find a similar used pair on eBay that the buyer said belonged on a Countach. I don't remember what I paid for mine but I don't think I even paid $150 for my pair. The seller wanted something like $1800.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: lotusfanatic on Sunday,March 22, 2020, 11:47:45 PM
The Europa S1 is full of unobtanium parts:

- Carello tail lights
- Oddie hood faster (push style) engine bonnet
- Oddie fasteners (locked with key) front hood
- speedometer and tachometer (they were bigger than the later ones)
- seats
- single piece fixed side windows made of glass (not all were plastic)
- seat belt assembly
- dash air vents, unfortunately those are the same as the ones used on the Miura
- early 336 gear boxes were different too (different shift pattern
- luggage tray with battery compartment
- 4.5 steel wheels

I believe that the dash vents were taken from the Renault 10, there are a pair and a single for sale on eBay, they are not cheap (unobtainium never is....but they are much cheaper than the “Lamborghini” listed one above!)

Vintage Lotus Europa S1 Dash Face Level Vent - Used Original Pair in Good Cond. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143368625613

Mark
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: magno_grail on Monday,March 23, 2020, 08:46:54 AM
For that money you could machine one in aluminum or 3D print it.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: literarymadness on Friday,April 24, 2020, 02:19:26 AM
Anyone have a High Balance Tube for a pre-emissions Stromberg Intake? Have the Intake, just need the Balance Tube.
Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,April 24, 2020, 06:11:27 AM
Anyone have a High Balance Tube for a pre-emissions Stromberg Intake? Have the Intake, just need the Balance Tube.

Unless you're looking for originality, why not make your own tube, shouldn't be too hard to do.



Title: Re: Unobtanium
Post by: MRN I J on Wednesday,June 03, 2020, 08:36:31 AM
here is the Oddie 1/4 turn screw that we make for an AM DB2/4 MkI spare wheel tray cover plate, I needed 2 to finish a resto so we ended up with 78 left, sold a few more since

Chris