Scottish Elises

So over the past few months I've been mulling over what to do car wise.

The conflicting want to move on up the sports car hierarchy (aka I'd like a Ferrari at some point), with the knowledge of my bank balance (aka, we have an 8 month old) and the fact that nothing will be quite like the Elise too. I've wanted an S1 Elise from the moment I first saw one, and I think I've now reached the decision (for now anyway!) that the one I have will be with me for a long time to come. If I've not bored with it after 7 years, it's good enough to stay right!

So, with that in mind, and having a week past Monday sold my rusty old not moved in a long time Mini, plus some bits laying around, I had the idea of buying a classic car with a modest budget for a bit of winter fun, maybe keep for a year or so, then either move it on, or appreciate that it'd become another project.

I looked at Minis, a LOT of Minis. I looked at everything from 60s mk1 998cc to 80s 16v conversions, but I decided that if I was going to deal with rust, it wouldn't be with a Mini again.

I looked at Alfas, here and in South Africa (online anyway). I decided I'd love a Guilia GT / Junior and that I didn't have the bank balance for that.
I decided that a late 70s / 80s GTV would be cool too, but then the fear set in over rust, electrics, over heating, rust...

I considered that the whole idea was stupid as we already have 3 cars, but I think we are all guilty of browsing the Pistonheads classifieds, part of me regrets not owning that many cars prior to the Elise, and 'leaping over' more, cheaper options that I'd be unlikely to go back to.

So, I finally found a car I've always liked, with a modest price tag and imo, awesome looks. Something that fits my requirement to be fun and a little different, and whilst it's maybe a bit of a stretch to call it a classic for some, it is 25 years old.

I bought me a 944

That is fab!! I remember when I was younger (hmmm, don't like that phrase) and thinking that a 944 was the coolest looking car. I ended up really geeky and could tell the various specs from all the subtle bumper changes and the like.

I think it was the widened hunches at the back that did it for me. I was looking at them a couple of years ago and spent a lot of time browsing PH Porsche Forum but there seemed to be so many tatty ones advertised and so many stories of neglect that I ended up going no further with it.

Big from me!!!

Mmmm... nice wheels!

S2 or turbo? I can't remember that far back... turbo wheels but S2 bumper?

That looks lovely. More pics please!

I have browsed ads for these on line on and off for years. I think it's an itch I'll need to scratch at some point too. Similarly, my elise is a keeper too.

Always had a soft spot for those. Always been put off by the amount of sheds in the market, but that looks a minter. Classic engine in the front, gearbox in the back and superb engineering.

Agree with Dom - more pics required.

Looks lovely, just hope that it has the checker interior (although it looks like a later S2).

Definitely more pics required.

George

Looks lovely.

With the crap weather we've been having, I've not had the opportunity to take any decent photos.

It's by no means mint, but then it is 25 years old with 150k miles.
It has a pile of receipts and serviced stamps from Porsche and then specialists, showing the work that's been done to keep it solid and mechanically sound, but there is some small rust bubbling here and there.
Both doors are in a bit of a state along the bottom, though a couple of rust free ones come with, though they need some dents repaired and a paint.
There are some bubbles on the boot lid and under a couple of the window seals, but the sills have been replaced recently and the floor looks good. As I said, a bit of a project, but a running one I can have some fun in too.

It's an S2, so an NA 3 litre 16v giving about 210bhp when new, and should weigh in at around 1250/1300kg.
I think the wheels are from a Boxster as they are an inch bigger than any original 944 wheels, though I only found that out after buying.

The interior is light grey full leather with blue carpets / dash which looks good to me though it needs a good clean.
The steering wheel needs restitched, so that'll be the first thing I have a go at.

Everything except the heated rear works (and I can see the earth wire that should be connected isn't).

It drives very well to me, not like a 25 year old car. Performance is adequate for me, slower than the Elise off the mark, but it pulls better and feels
It genuinely feels like a car that you could comfortably and easily do 500 miles in, but still have a lot of fun on the twisties.

I've already had it up to Glenshee and it didn't feel out of place at all.

The plan for now is to enjoy it through the winter and maybe into next year depending on how I get on with the Elise suspension and cooling system refresh project I've been thinking about and not getting around to for 2 years now..

By then, my Elise should be pretty well sorted, so this might then become the project. Time will tell.

one of my mates dads had an S2 one of those, and he literally drove the doors off it. It was a great car.

Ah, I had a 944 as my first track car. Epic machines and beautifully balanced.

Enjoy *)

I did a full suspension refresh on the last Elise. I had all the wishbones nickel plated and then painted them with POR 15. It was reasonably straightforward and the plating of all components was £100 at a place in Newhouse. All in it cost me about £300 plus time.

Stephen wrote:I did a full suspension refresh on the last Elise. I had all the wishbones nickel plated and then painted them with POR 15. It was reasonably straightforward and the plating of all components was £100 at a place in Newhouse. All in it cost me about £300 plus time.

This is exactly my plan.
I've already used a wire brush on my old ARB, followed by the full POR15 treatment, marine clean, metal ready, POR15 black on top.

I need to pick up a set of new bolts, take bits off, give them a going over with the wire brush (on a grinder, not manual..!), get them plated (I guess there is some sort of acid dip that happens first which might mean I don't need the wire brush?),
followed by POR15 and maybe a top coat of Hammerite or something for shininess and UV protection, and stick it all back together.
I think it'll be a fun project

I also have an alloy rad, 2 rad fans (for my paranoia, and my existing one whilst it's not seized, the bearings are shot / it sounds like an air raid siren), new front hoses, and a PRRT to fit.
This one doesn't strike me as a fun project!

Nice work Chris

Judging by the plate, I'd say it was first delivered by Cameron's of Perth

The plating place acid dipped mine. The bushes on mine were fine so I left them I and as they are rubber and steel they were unaffected. I painted mine with Por 15 but didn't bother with the chassis cote as they are unlikely to see much UV.
I need to do the same with the 160 now and was thinking of just leaving the ball joints in place too. Again they should be unaffected by the dipping and plating and I will just replace them as required thereafter. New bolts are cheap and the top hub bolts are worth replacing anyway as they can fail. Re the rest of what you have to do, I pretty much also have on my to do list. Have fun.

S

rossybee wrote:Nice work Chris

Judging by the plate, I'd say it was first delivered by Cameron's of Perth

Indeed. Over it's life, it's has spent time in Aberdeen and then Edinburgh too judging by the dealer stamps, so never lived all that far from me!

I managed to get a few more shots taken, as I say, it's not mint by any means, the doors are the worst part - though it did come with 2 rust free spares but for now, I can happily get my aviators on and turn up Kenny Loggins!

















...and the first mod on my Porsche, I sewed the steering wheel...!

From this as it was in the first place:


...and in progress...


to this, which isn't too shabby