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 Post subject: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 16, 2021, 9:30 am 
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Was looking at craigslist and I saw a 1971 Lotus Elan steel backbone chassis for sale in Chicago for $1000

Has anyone used one of these for a starting point on a build for a Locost 7?

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 16, 2021, 9:44 am 
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I don't know of anyone who has done a Seven based on an Elan chassis, but there is this car: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-lotus-eleven-tribute-build-with-elan-underpinnings-and-motor/

I think the problem with starting with a bare Elan chassis would be finding the rear struts, wishbones, diff casing, etc. The only "off the shelf" suspension bits on an Elan are the front uprights and steering rack, the rest were Lotus only parts.


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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 16, 2021, 10:32 am 
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Not aware of anyone starting with an Elan. My question would be how complete is it for $1000? If it's a roller with steering, you've recouped your investment in time savings.

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 16, 2021, 10:49 am 
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I saw the Craigslist post in the Milwaukee Craigslist. No pics :crying:

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 16, 2021, 12:53 pm 
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If considering it, look into the rules, as some states say that if you use a factory frame, then that's how it's registered. Also, does it come with any paperwork?

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Last edited by KB58 on April 17, 2021, 10:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 17, 2021, 1:13 am 
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Compared to a Locost an Elan appears to have a longer center section and the front axle moved rearwards?
this will change weight distribution at the least.

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 23, 2021, 5:00 pm 
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Location: Norfolk - UK
There is a UK company called Spyder Engineering that specializes in the manufacture of direct replacement 'spaceframe' backbone Elan chassis.

They also used to build a 7-style kit car called the Spyder Silverstone, the chassis of which had several identifiable components from their Elan replacement chassis 'system' in its construction.

Suffice it to say that by the time they'd modified it to make it work with the Seven-style arrangement, it was no longer recognizable as an Elan backbone chassis.


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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 29, 2021, 7:19 pm 
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Sam_68 wrote:
Suffice it to say that by the time they'd modified it to make it work with the Seven-style arrangement, it was no longer recognizable as an Elan backbone chassis.
I should expect so. The proportions of where a person physically fits relative to the chassis, track, and wheelbase are all off for a 7, and is what allows the Elan to have an appreciably noticeably shorter wheelbase than any 7 as well.

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 Post subject: Re: Lotus Elan chassis
PostPosted: April 29, 2021, 10:36 pm 
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To the OP, keep in mind that even if everything fits for making it into a "Seven", it's just the backbone. By the time the other 80% of the chassis is added, I'm not sure it's really saved much, both in weight and the amount of work involved.

This touches on something I've seen a number of times when someone's doing a complete car restoration. At some point, it's actually less work to just start from scratch, depending upon what the start and end goals are. Rust alone can negate whatever was "saved" in buying a complete chassis.

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