Unrestored Original Lotus Elite | Classic Obsession | Episode 59

Back in the UK and back to work on the Lotus Elite. New spark plugs, tuned carbs and the car runs sweet! A trip to Lotus specialist Chris Foulds garage provides some inspiration and replacement parts including rare body trim. And with the car starting to come together Gary can’t resist taking it down to Cars and Coffee on the Liverpool docks.
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[@FastTrack-1]

There's only one problem with your vid's Gary....... there's not enough of them. Harry's garage, Tyrells Workshop and your yours...a must watch !

[@shane6115]

100% agreed 👍

[@simonelliott5956]

I’ll second that!

[@discodiana1984]

Yep, you nailed it.

[@nephos100]

That's the Trifecta.

[@a1topdog]

I'd say keep the paint original, you have enough on your hands painting the roller

[@jackdanielsamarreto]

Hi Gary keep the paint original looking lovely with love and attention 👍👍

[@malfunction8165]

One of the company directors at my first job turned up in one, it was like a UFO had landed in the car park I was stunned. Happy days.

[@craigrobertson7938]

Def keep the paint original. It’s only original once. Hope tom is keeping well it would be interesting to see what he thinks of the car

[@brownson1970]

im bloody addicted to this channel now!! heh heh. DONT REPAINT IT LA!!!

[@GT380man]

Gary’s hand / eye skill is pretty impressive. Putting that trim on was made to look easy & I bet it wasn’t.

[@shane6115]

Lovely, another Gary video. I wait for these videos like a child waiting for Christmas 🎅 🙏

[@MrTimcoronel]

these are, alongside the Jensen Interceptor, my favourite 1970s car. I'd be doing all I can to preserve the originality

[@davidcooks5265]

Hi Gary 👋 nice to see lotus worked on again 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@markoldham5403]

When you polished the paint, it look great on screen from 5,400 miles away here in the USA! 😊 I'd say keep it.

[@EvoraGT430]

Definitely keep the original paint.

[@thom8406]

Great episode. Am just across the way on Irelands east coast. Ah Liverpool. Something very special about scouse folks. Great hearing the accents.

[@clivemillington8452]

Another great session , with YOUR obsession Gary , luv watching your vids 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤟🤟

[@R-K61]

I love these cars, I bought a non runner black badge auto one in red with a black vinyl roof, rebuilt the top end and steering rack, got it moted despite a massive crack in the windscreen, went really well.

[@stephenhenion8304]

It's a bit of a Space Ship, certainly from another time ! Great fun!

[@alexday5892]

Paint work looked to be in pretty good condition. As always, it’s those cloth interiors that look rough when they go. The sagging is so disheartening. I had an Excel in cream leather with cloth headlining and it was a headache to see it start to sag. Nice to see that JPS Elan+2 at Chris Foulds. My dad has one of those in his garage. The glitter in the gold fleck roof is really eye catching. It almost looks like they added too much glitter. So nice to see the choke switch. Much missed by silly old buggers like me. Keep the vids coming. Your mate in Sydney with a cold beer if ever ya here. 🇬🇧🇦🇺

[@peterconnor4193]

Keep the paint I'm sure you can work your magic with a buff and polish. Will definitely try and get to cars and coffee in Liverpool next time I'm there , I used to go to one every Saturday morning in bonita San Diego when I lived there, met a fellow scouser Ray garner there , he had a dodge charger with a viper v10 engine in it , built it in his garage in chula vista, on a side note I worked in Cammel lairds for a while around 2010, brings back memories 😊

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

I loved the Lavender Blue Daimler XJ Series II at cars and coffee ! The BMW CSL means Coupe Sport Leicht (i.e. Light) hence all the thinner or Aluminium panels intended for racing…..

[@chrishood5079]

Keep the paint original.. Thank you for your content..

[@simonelliott5956]

Great to see the Elite on the road, always fancied one of these myself, ever since I had that Corgi model as a boy.

[@juliansmith4326]

I’ve just rediscovered my corgi Elite model in my late mum’s house. Like you I’ve always aspired to one for real.

[@stephenbaron5681]

That engine is the same as my JENSEN HEALEY, the standard cam belt needs changing every few years but Gates Racing now makes a carbon fiber belt that is good for 5-6 years. It is a bright blue belt. Can be purchased at the JHPS store.

[@wcads623]

For sure I had one break and bent a number of valves 😪😪

[@grayfool]

I would leave the paint as is. It looks pretty good and the originality is great.

[@shane6115]

Same here, did you watch the episode with John Aldridge on it, come on the boys in green 🇮🇪 😊 ☘️

[@virgilrytaar9083]

What is that beautiful piano music? So evocative! I'd keep the paint as is

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Fair play the components and paint were made from decent stuff back in the 70s and 80s….. Glad this Lotus will be a usable enjoyable refreshed car unlike the pampered Gold Leaf Elan Sprint in the workshop. I suppose the Elite was parked and stored well after Tom the owner got his Porsche and used that to the full instead….

[@frankpineda1832]

Wow I owned 3 lotus, the esprit, elite and eklat, wen I see you video I get teary, I miss those car so much, I really love your video 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 more videos PLEASE

[@classic.obsession]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@henriknilsson7851]

That dashboard covering is something else! This is a 1970s Time Machine. It will be fun to see this project as it progresses. The brown Elan is exquisite!

[@LiquidAudio]

Enjoyable viewing as always mate, the Porche guy though! 😂

[@kevinwright3141]

Lovely that Lotus!

[@ronniewilson6597]

Great video Gary, see you at the next cars and coffee 👍🏻

[@oliverlotus]

I like your videos, you're so calm! You enthuse me to carry out the horrible jobs on my Elan M100 which need doing!

[@brucefraser5363]

I love seeing the parts of that period on the cars. The Lotus heater vents, door latches, rocker switches, fan pull switches, etc etc. Just check out a contemporary MGB(as one example) and the extent of crossover is remarkable. So back in the day you could break a part on a Lotus and replace it with the same part taken off a Marina!

[@classic.obsession]

Yes Bruce but those Armstrong shock absorbers were a bit involved. I believe chapman used to spend hours handpicking them so they’d be right for each car. Regards

[@brucefraser5363]

That’s crazy man. Definitely a fun fact to think of the iconic Colin Chapman pushing lever arms up and down in his apron down at the shop. Many people would say get a life but those of us who are into these cars definitely get it! Thx for that!

[@richardwillshaw7144]

I'd keep the paint original. Looks great

[@johnmcdermott5505]

Loved that last shot. Born in Rainhill but now reside in USA. Love listening to the voices and seeing the Mersey. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@GT380man]

I really like carburettors, having really put time and experimentation into understanding how they work, how the circuits overlap and what adjustments do to drive ability for my Suzuki motorcycles. Both the VM series carbs on my GT380 and the CV type on the A model Kettle are very adjustable, so if you’ve one of these & it’s just not riding sweetly, don’t give up! Enjoy the multi carb motor, Gary! And thank you for sharing your passion and skill with us.

[@davecoleman7431]

Gary great vlog as usual mate Keep the lotus as is the patina is fantastic Only thing I’d do is get the front seats rebolsterd so it takes all the wrinkles out the cloth Love your sympathetic restoring style Keep up the good work 👍

[@spencerbrowning4126]

You’re up there now with Mr Metcalfe and Mr Tyrell ! Great videos Gary, keep them coming as often as you can.

[@stewartevans3875]

Hey Gary - There 's a lot to be said for leaving the car original in the original paint - from seeing it on the screen and in the flesh last year at the NEC , there really doesnt seem much wrong with it at all and the new chrome strips look a treat 👍Nice episode lad !! Cheers Stew

[@edgworth]

Nice to look at the original Elans in Foulds workshop, but what a shame that you skipped past the M100. These were a massively underestimated and unappreciated Lotus. Much better than most people know.

[@PaulFellows3430]

Love all the vidoes Gary. I'd be inclined to keep the original paint on the Lotus if it's as good and sound as it appears to be. Certainly keep it for now. You could always redo it later if needs be.

[@BMan100]

lovely stuff as usual. so down to earth. Have a set of driving gloves myself, Tan leather.... admittedly ... speed racer.

[@notchboy]

That trim turned out nice 😎

[@sdry1688]

I'm sure that heater control is out a 70s Escort...lol ...down the line new plates and dipping 'powder coating the wheels would be good - brilliant video again - thanks

[@classic.obsession]

youire probably right about the heater controls but i think the wheels look great. one of its best points. really understated in that silver matt finish. how they were originally when new. regards.

[@Erwinhooi]

Another great episode, thanks! Ow and I would say: Keep the original paint. Nobrainer in my opinion as it still looks beautiful!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@martinclapton2724]

Great video again, Gary. I agree with another comment on here , your Lotus paint looks very good as it is , just keep it polished up nice, it’s nice to see originality. Re painting fibreglass can be very expensive/ time consuming and hazardous due to nature of materials. Car sounds better now carbs tweak done , I would have thought tick over a little lower 800- 900 rpm personally, I’d change cam belt then take to a rolling road for that ultimate fine tuning . Loved these 1970s Lotus models , Colin Chapman wanting to go up market from the 1960s Elans Europas era . Remember reading Motorsport road tests , the road holding on original 205/70 Dunlops was simply amazing , yet gave the car excellent ride qualities, a result of relatively soft springs and firm damping , like 1970s Alfa Romeos .

[@GT380man]

Being a biker on Japanese machines, I’ve only used NGK plugs, when it’s been my decision. I’m silly about them, buying the non adjustable platinum tipped plugs, completely unnecessarily, on my GTs!

[@Dg-zj6jo]

NGK ARE THE BEST GREAT STUFF SIR

[@bobfrankish8883]

Another good video Gary. Great to see you in my home town at Chris Foulds'. I've met him a few times, he's a really nice guy and certainly knows his stuff. Keep up the good work.

[@steve291274]

Great to see the Elite out on the road. Sounds sweet as well. Like some of the others say, keep her in her original colour....👍 Thank you...... Love the videos and taken me back to my childhood when i used to ride about in one with my late father...🙂

[@SuperGiddyman]

Its only original once. ❤

[@MartinvonBargen]

A few of the ice cream vans that came round Huyton with Roby, like Mr Felice and Star Trek had glitter paint finishes.

[@113036stat]

Good job mate!!

[@Parknest]

Gary, you should keep the original paint on the Lotus. You won't have to worry about rust. It was Ralph Nader who wrote "Unsafe at Any Speed".

[@andrewgurney6019]

Great video la

[@scottstrails9369]

Nice video.. thought the cs coupe was possibly the one that sat behind the Park hotel in Netherton/Aintree rotting away for years about 25 years ago ,everyone tried to buy …with the old retort ‘it’s not for sale lad .. it’s gettin sorted …scrapped in the end I believe ?

[@csnelling4]

Thanks Gary , great video 👌👍😎

[@Simon-ry1lw]

Nice to see that photo of Colin Chapman with Jim Clark above the sales counter at that Lotus place.

[@classic.obsession]

I remember going into Roger Edwards motors when they were based in Wembley years ago. When I had a pagoda. S guy called Cedric Seltzar worked there as a mechanic. Turned out he was skim Clarkes mechanic right through his career until his. Death. South African. Regards.

[@russellaycock3703]

I would not even consider repainting that car. The paint is only original once and to me it looks very nice as is.

[@Gurovski]

the autobody Porsche was cool 🤩

[@DS246416]

Never fail to impress with your latest episodes, cheers!

[@rogerpritchard]

Where do you get your energy from? Whatever it is I'll have some. Lotus coming on great, paint looks fine to me.

[@jonathanholley8043]

Definitely keep the original paintwork, on screen you have polished it up to a lovely patina,you can always repaint at a later stage if needed.

[@japfan8161]

Made a right dogs dinner of sticking that trim on, that'll come off within a year again

[@MartinvonBargen]

Me mate had a 3.0 CSi in Hamburg and it was a beautiful car. Sadly it suffered with oil leaks and cylinder pressure problems. When it was running well it had an amazing idle sound.

[@leohagan]

Great cable knit jumper….where did you get it?😃

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The original paint cleaned up well under your hands. It is too early to repaint.

[@eddymcloughlin6651]

Repaint, it deserves the best

[@wcads623]

Gary check the rear chassis cross member for corrosion. It runs between the rear top spring mounts and it rots like hell.🙄🙄

[@classic.obsession]

It’s all covered in the next ep. Regards.

[@jeffhammond8969]

Keep paint original. I'm surprised that you didn't strip original adhesive off of the replacement trim and just use some new 3m trim adhesive tape.

[@aCivilServant]

Interest in the "wedge" seems to have gone up quite a bit over the last 10 years, both for the Elite and the Eclat. You've got a really nice example there. I've heard horrors with the rotting of the backbone chassis. Is yours OK? Nice video too.

[@classic.obsession]

Yes it’s surprisingly solid. I was expecting much worse. It’s kinda what you’d hope for from a one owner car. Regards.

[@denis9450]

My brother had the NSU I think Quigly he did a common swop in the day and put a V6 Ford in it.

[@juliandale50]

Don’t think I’ve used bosh plugs, always use NGK even modern iridium plugs ❤😊😊

[@marsh1707]

The car looks so much better without the trim running around it

[@xjs1983]

Agreed

[@bigladdan]

Keep it original

[@geoffshilton6998]

Keep the original paint please

[@hTyKn1]

It's only original once!

[@paulwootton5378]

It is only ever original once.

[@fdschuler7863]

Keep the paint.

[@marktaylor7959]

Yes at last what happened to you replacing the timing belt

[@classic.obsession]

Next ep

[@johnslater2488]

Garry, great content, I’d rather see you doing relatively minor jobs on the cars rather than the cars and coffee stuff

[@anthoniusalphaproject1588]

Looking for a collaboration with Videobob restoring his RRs, that will be fantastic!!!

[@andysalter4473]

Original paint is best

[@SuperWayneyb]

🤘😎🤘

[@GT380man]

It’s not a pretty car to my eyes, but it’s still gloriously of it’s time.

[@fancybobbybob]

Keep the paint original

[@hamishcruden7623]

Keep the colour, no need to repaint...

[@mpershyn31]

Keep the original paint

[@davonpointer2310]

Keep the original paint on the Lotus. The Boxster body just doesn’t work.

[@luckylimbo4816]

It’s only original once

[@wollaminfaetter]

Don't paint it.. please!?

[@davidcooks5265]

You never seen the nice thing's about Liverpool or Manchester, the news just wants to tell you about stabbing and shootings and gangs☹️ don't listen to the press B'S

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing petrol stations to only one state operated central gas station per city. From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any more....:-((

[@ringo196]

RO80 was copied by Audi

[@sdry1688]

NSU was bought by Audi

[@ianmedium]

Another corker of an episode Gary. If the rest of the paint comes up as well as this I would leave original.

[@neilharrison7555]

Looks like you have actually got a GOOD one. When I lived with my parents late 70's the next door neighbour (a wealthy man) ran a Ford Granada Ghia coupe. Metallic blue. Lovely car. He fancied a change, so one day, a green Lotus appeared. He raved about the handling, etc., but mentioned the gear change was "a bit tight". A couple of weeks later, he was reversing out his garage when there was a terrible noise, accompanied by smoke. The car was recovered by the Glasgow Lotus dealer, never to be seen again! The diagnosis was "catastrophic gearbox failure" . "I just couldn't be bothered with all the hassle" was what he said. ....and the Granada Ghia made a re-appearance very soon after.... All the very best for your Lotus ownership...I'm sure all will be well....

[@classic.obsession]

Hi Neil. I love those Granada fastbacks! Yes, I’m told the Austin maxi gearbox’s are so substandard. Thankfully Tom rebuilt his sling with the engine so hopefully I’ll have no problems there. I took it on a six hour round trip a few days ago and it performed well.