RE: [DML] Lotus Chassis

["Mike Griese" <mike.griese@xxxx>]

The DeLorean doesn't have much in common with the Elan at all
other than the basic layout of a backbone chassis. The Elan
is front-engined, rear drive with all of the parts in the
"usual" places. The Elan was available as a kit, primarily
to avoid the taxes levied on completely assembled new cars.

The Esprit S3/Turbo chassis is very different from the DeLorean
as well. They share a backbone configuration, but the details
are completely different. The front of the Esprit frame is
"T" shaped, with no front crumple structure like the DeLorean.
Suspension pickups are on the outer ends of the crossbar of
the "T".

The fuel tanks (there are 2) in the Esprit are on either
side of the forward engine compartment just behind the
seats. The engine cradle in the Esprit is a tube frame,
again vastly different than the DeLorean.

The passenger compartment of the Esprit is farther forward
than the DeLorean, requiring an offset to the pedals to the
center of the car because the front wheel arch protrudes into
the footwell. There is no package shelf behind the seats, either.

The red coating on the Elan frame in the picture is probably
red paint. Factory frames were usually mild steel painted
black. Esprit frames from about 1980 on were galvanized
and warranted for 5 years against rust.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Senatorpack@xxxx [mailto:Senatorpack@xxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 7:38 PM
To: doc-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Lotus Chassis




The DMC-12 and the Lotus Elan/Esprit shared many similarities. The Lotus
guys
say the DMC-12 chassis is the Lotus Esprit S 3 chassis. Colin Chapman said
the Elan chassis is the classis Lotus design and incorporated into the DMC.

There is a 1965 Lotus Elan on Ebay...the cars were offered at one time in
several boxes, as the new owner assembled the car in his garage or workshop.
The interesting aspect of this chassis is its' red coating. Anyone know
about
this?

http://listings.ebaymotors.com/aw/listings/list/category6307/index.html

Best Wishes,

Michael Pack