Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Penguinspeedshop on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 01:28:23 PM

Title: New member new owner
Post by: Penguinspeedshop on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 01:28:23 PM
Just wanted to say hello my son and I have just bought a S1 it’s a USA import been standing for many years. Body is good but the interior looks like it’s been eaten by a rabid dog and it has a 12a Mazda rotary engine in it
We got it running today but needed to shut it down as it filled the shop with exhaust smoke lol managed to free the clutch but the gearlinkage is siezed solid
Hoping to have another go with it outside in the morning
It came with a Renault engine in bits so it may be that gets rebuilt and put back in
Looking forward to restoring this car as it’s one we always wanted to do
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: EuropatcSPECIAL on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 01:55:37 PM
 :lotus: Welcome to you both and a good choice. Any photographs?
all the best
Stuart
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Europa73 on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 02:03:47 PM
Welcome -

looking forward to hearing all about the progress
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: BDA on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
 :Welcome: , Penguin!


From your picture, the body is in really good shape! Good luck with your motor and tranny and interior! Looking forward to seeing some pictures!
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 07:21:42 PM
Congrats!  I love my S1.  How is the chassis?
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Certified Lotus on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 07:56:36 PM
 :Welcome:

Great group of guys here that have good recommendations and insights to help you through your restoration.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: EuropaTC on Saturday,October 14, 2017, 10:39:19 PM
Hi there and  :Welcome:

It's good to hear that another S1 is on the restoration trail, I must admit given the age and model variant I'd probably fit a Renault engine even if it wasn't exactly the one that came with the car.

Bodywork looks good as well, that's usually the biggest hurdle for most folks so you're off to a flying start !

Brian
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: lotusfanatic on Monday,October 16, 2017, 12:00:58 AM
 :Welcome:
Hello Penguin!
the UK seems to be witnessing a very slight increase in its S1 population!
 8)
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Bainford on Monday,October 16, 2017, 09:01:12 AM
 :Welcome: Welcome to the forum. Your car looks familiar, I think a former member played with this car for awhile. If so, there will be several posts of his attempts to get it going. The member's screen name escapes me right now. Anyway, an S1 is always a good score. Good luck with the project and keep us posted. We LOVE photos.  :beerchug: Cheers
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: EuropaTC on Monday,October 16, 2017, 09:24:15 AM
:Welcome: Welcome to the forum. Your car looks familiar, I think a former member played with this car for awhile. If so, there will be several posts of his attempts to get it going. The member's screen name escapes me right now. Anyway, an S1 is always a good score. Good luck with the project and keep us posted. We LOVE photos.  :beerchug: Cheers

You've just triggered something with me there now I remember the posts about a Mazda engined car a few years back. Is this one the same one that "Katanaman" had ?  I can't remember if he posted many pictures of it, but it'd sure be a coincidence if it's the same car.

Brian
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Penguinspeedshop on Wednesday,October 25, 2017, 05:00:37 PM
I think it is we got the engine running it sounds good with no smoke
So we are going to concentrate on the wiring and interior. The chassis is in great condition  along with the body
We are planning a trip to banks europa to get all the parts we need as they are only 60 miles away
Will updAte with pictures once we start in earnest but the parts list isn’t that big as the previous owner did a lot of work
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: dakazman on Wednesday,October 25, 2017, 05:52:57 PM
 :Welcome:
Looks great and sounds promising . You and your are in good hands here.
Dakazman
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,October 25, 2017, 06:27:12 PM
Rotary engine that are hard to start cold but then run great when warm often have worn rotor seals/rotor/housing.  Unlike conventional engines, they are not easily rebuilt.  Mazda used to provide reasonably priced short blocks.  Maybe they still do.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: lotusfanatic on Thursday,October 26, 2017, 05:46:31 AM
has the car been modified with S2 parts?
(as it has features found on a S2, such as the front indicator nacelles)

Mark

Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,October 26, 2017, 06:18:17 AM
Good call Mark, it's not an S1.  It has dual wipers, large defrost vents, no engine compartment undertray and turn signal warts.  It's a federal S2.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Penguinspeedshop on Wednesday,November 01, 2017, 06:04:31 PM
Yes you are right it is an S2 federal
We will be starting in it next week been busy building up parts
We are struggling finding the side marker lights any suggestions as to where we can get them from ?
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: lotusfanatic on Thursday,November 02, 2017, 12:50:21 AM
Hello Penguin,

I’m not sure if Banks sell the side marker lights?
If not, try the ‘Would like to Buy’ area on here, worth a go?

Mark
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Bodzer on Thursday,November 02, 2017, 05:26:15 AM
Hi,

Holden.co.uk sell the red side markers. L841 £44.50 each. I'm not sure you just replace the red lenses with amber ones.  It looks possible.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,November 02, 2017, 08:16:32 AM
The side marker lights were also used on MGBs and Midgets.  Check the usual British parts suppliers.  Why not just remove them?  Now's the time if you are doing the body.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: RoddyMac on Thursday,November 02, 2017, 08:52:00 AM
John,
I don't think they're the same as the MGB, the B had a "pointed" lamp.  Midgets definitely used them, and I seem to recall some of the mid 70's Mini's had them too.
Title: Re: New member new owner
Post by: Sherman Kaplan on Thursday,November 02, 2017, 09:03:32 AM
I believe the lights are Triumph Spitfire.  You can try Moss Motors, The Roadster Factor, SpitBits or any of the other British car suppliers.

RD has the black plastic insterts that the lights fit into.  https://www.rdent.com/

Sherman