Rescued, Early S1

[Kendo]

Only in French… Well, come on, there has to be some kind of challenge to this project. 

[AC460234]

The bell housing on 0576 also has a slant, with no cover, so the flywheel is exposed. I was wondering about that, I'm missing that cover if anyone has one.  Aidan

[bjthomp]

There is no cover for Series 1 bell housings. There is nothing to attach a cover to. The bolt holes were ground off to create the slant. It seems the purpose of the machined-off bell housing face (slant) is to allow it to fit within its respective opening on the underside of the engine compartment. The protection offered by the flywheel cover is provided by the body. I don't know the condition of the underside of your engine compartment, but quite a few images that I've seen of other S1s, have a large hole that runs front-to-back where a good bit of the original fiberglass had been broken off. I'll try to post a photo of the way Lotus intended it.

[Chuck Nukem]

If you have a large wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, you could contact Kelvedon and see about getting a 47 chassis for it.  The downside would be having to buy all the rear suspension bits to make it work.

As for making one from scratch, with companies like Send Cut Send becoming more accessible, it might be an "easy" button for getting all the various pieces of sheet metal cut and bent.  Unfortunately, I dont think it would be all that cheap unless you were to get a few chassis' worth of pieces cut.

I actually have access to factory patterns for 47 rear bearing carriers. It is kind of low on my list at the moment but it is on there...

[Chuck Nukem]

   Thanks guys,
  The S/N’s had me worried.
   Another observation after opening doors was the A pillars are extremely thinner than the S2’s.
 I’ll heed the warnings for sure on them. Hopefully the PO’s son will find the windscreen and side windows, headlight buckets and some more information other than a name of the seller, to the father of Jim Snowden. Just word of mouth info…  it’s funny or a coincidence a James Snowden  of California owns or did own an latter S1a , a son perhaps???
  Going through a stack of lotus literature reveals nothing so far.
Dakazman

Once I finish my S1 door molds the side window molds are next. I still have a hoard of windscreens if you need one down the road.

[Chuck Nukem]

  Thank you for all for your support with this project.
 
  I was able to get to it today for my planned job of opening doors .  As I  was cutting off the door plates from behind the door jamb looking for the build plate as with the S2 . Well no such plate , then I remembered a thread on SN’ being formed into to body, we’ll long behold there it was , just inboard of the rear boot hinge. See pic . NOT Agreeing with the front boot plate 0148. Paint color or gearbox not stamped on the front boot plate .
   Then I exceeded my goal of opening doors to removing them completely and laughed when I opened them to see the,”do not lean” stencil on the jamb. Then surprised they moved and stayed in plane I opened and closed them until they fell off in my hand.  Found no water drains in doors either.
  The body had been painted prior, bearing witness to a coat of gelcoat just atop the bare fiberglass.

  A 47 project sound great powered by my 843 cross flow.
Dakazman

This is the first time I have actually seen the underside of the seat panel!!! Wow what a project! I will help however I can. They must be saved!!

[dakazman]

   Everything I see is a first also.
 These were built is the late 60's . I'm going to make this fun, but I have many challenges ahead with obtaining title.
 Dakazman

[dakazman]

  Thanks Chuck and Roddy
  I went to the Kelvedon and saw the fluctuating sale price less shipping , yikes .
I also saw the price of the basic S1 frame,  wow.
  Right now I just want to get it in a primer condition after repairing damaged areas.
Getting it in a dried in condition is the plan so I may take you up on the windscreen.
Dave

[dakazman]

  Started a build board for the S1 harness today. I’ll compare it to the schematic but it can’t get much simpler, Comparing it to the XKE .  Then I found this PO addition 🤣

Dakazman

[TurboFource]

Nice addition 

[dakazman]

  HELP,
S1 Frame dimensions needed.
  Still debating if I should rebuild this car or cut it up for parts. I’m also working on getting title before doing any serious work.
 Dakazman

   

[BDA]

You might try PMing Serge. He may not have mated his frame and body.

[jbcollier]

The basic S1 frame dimensions are the same as an S2.

http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/Lotus%20europa%20chassis%20drawing.pdf

[dakazman]

That’s funny BDA, I did just that and he replied exactly what JB just sent . Thanks JB it’s the little changes you mentioned that I’m worried about. The construction of the body is truely amazing.
 I know I have the rear loop blueprints somewhere but finding them on TB’s of hard drives storage units, I thought I’d ask .
  I’m just getting prepared and working on getting a clean title before jumping in on it . I did however order some brushed aluminum for the center console an glove box
Dakazman

[jbcollier]

I converted an S2 chassis to mostly S1 spec.  I didn’t change the end flanges and just used S2 coolant pipes.  Not too much to do really:
- weld on nuts for the three different throttle positions,
- tabs for the seat belt braces,
- bend up the S2 lower flange and weld it to chassis for the front floor.
- fabricate toe boxes to cover the lower a-arm mount (leave enough space for the arm to clear!),
- remove the S2 side mounting flanges
- etc.