Hello!!

tadltd · Post by **tadltd** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:37 pm

Hi,

I was asked to join this forum a wee while back, but have only just got round to doing it after joining the Yahoo group by mistake. Not that there's anything wrong with the Yahoo group!

I don't (yet) have a Lotus Elise, but I have something that resembles one very closely! I recent purchased a Elise replica project from EBay, which has a GRP monocoque with front and rear tubular steel frames. It was designed to take a hayabusa engine, but I have plans to put something a bit better in there. I'll post some pic's once I dig them out, but here's a finished one (built by GTM cars and called the Ballista)

Externally the one I have is the same, but it differs in that the GTM one has a steel tubular chassis. I've been told that standard Elise windows fit it, which will save a large headache (window donations welcome!) I'd also like some recommendations on which engine to use keeping in mind that I'd like the finished car to be as light as possible.

Ultimately, I plan to re-style it to look more like the car we produce, called the LMP...

We'd always planned a roofed version of this and the Elise replica might just give us a short-cut to this stage (example below)...

Currently we also run a Westfield in the BARC Westfield Sportscar championship, which we might win providing we get some luck at the last 2 races! A breakdown of previous results is available on the web-site...

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:42 pm

How did the 'hoonaroon' go?

John

Post by **Shug** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:44 pm

Welcome along Steve...

If it's lightweight you're looking for, Eliseparts sell polycarbonate side windows with double curvature here:

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=490

They are only really useful if you're going to keep them fixed though.

As for light-weight (but totally insane) what about the RST V8? Similar weights to a K series, but 340bhp.... [edit - having seen your spec sheets, you know all about the RST V8!]

Neil (mckeann) would be able to tell you more, as he was going to install one in his Elise, before the insurance problems ruled it out.

Anyway, welcome along

jj · Post by jj » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:45 pm

Hi and

The LMP looks awesome, think I remember reading about it on PH.
Didnt know it was built "locally".

tadltd · Post by **tadltd** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:47 pm

Hi Mack,

I'm afraid it didn't - we didn't get enough of an uptake on it. I'd considered re-trying for 2007 but I can't commit the time to organising it at the moment.

There were also some issues with hotels being unwilling or unable to host such a large group, so if it does happen again it'll need to be with reduced numbers, initially.

tadltd · Post by **tadltd** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:53 pm

Hi Shug & j1kelly

We've been considering the RST-V8 for the LMP for quite some time now (since the concept for the LMP was drawn up in 2001 in fact - little was known about the engine then, except that it was designed for the LCC Lightning project), and even drew up installation plans for it, mated to a Hewland FTR 6-speed sequential box. It would go well in the back of the replica, but they're horrendously expensive at the moment, although now Mountune are productionising them the price might fall within our grasp!

I think the LMP is the best kept motoring secret in Scotland! Designed and built right here...

Post by **Shug** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:56 pm

tadltd wrote:Hi Shug & j1kelly

We've been considering the RST-V8 for the LMP for quite some time now (since the concept for the LMP was drawn up in 2001 in fact - little was known about the engine then, except that it was designed for the LCC Lightning project), and even drew up installation plans for it, mated to a Hewland FTR 6-speed sequential box. It would go well in the back of the replica, but they're horrendously expensive at the moment, although now Mountune are productionising them the price might fall within our grasp!

I think the LMP is the best kept motoring secret in Scotland! Designed and built right here...

Might there be an opening for a wee SE run to the factory for a look at them, perhaps?

I've got relatives in Darvel and I'm sure I could concoct a wee road run to end up at your place

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:05 pm

Shug wrote:Might there be an opening for a wee SE run to the factory for a look at them, perhaps?

I'd be keen.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:57 pm

shooomer wrote:
MacK wrote:
Shug wrote:Might there be an opening for a wee SE run to the factory for a look at them, perhaps?

I'd be keen.
me too

likewise

Post by **simon** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:51 pm

Welcome, again

Seem to remember seeing the LMP at KH a few years back, looked pretty good and even better being Scottish built

woody · Post by **woody** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:35 pm

Hi steve, best of luck with the LMP and business. I've read about the car a fair bit in evo and PH before.

tadltd · Post by **tadltd** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:44 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys!

Simon, I think you were the man who told me to join up - IIRC?

With regards to a factory visit, I wouldn't have had any problem with that and would have made you all very welcome. However, a couple of months ago the landlord put our workshop up for sale (at 1800sq/ft it's a far cry from a factory!) and we're in the process of moving everything out, so there isn't much to see (aside from a SEAT Cordoba that's having an engine conversion done).

The 2 LMP's that we had are in bits in a friend's workshop in Govan, but at least one of these will be re-built over the winter as we plan to race it next season. We sold another 2 (one to England one to Canada) and that's about as far as we've got so far, aside from about 200 enquiries.

As soon as we find a new home I'll be happy to have you all round!

BTW, I'm putting together an online shop here: http://turner-autosport.turner-auto-design.com - discounts available to all Scottish Elises members (up to 15% on individual items, and I'm happy to accomodate group buys at better discounts). We're agents for quite a lot of top brands, including PTP. It's live and useable, but I'm still loading it with goodies so the range is limited.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:59 pm

Looks interesting, might even tempt me back over the border. Keep us all posted!

BTW

Good luck &

!

Rich

Post by **Shug** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:18 am

tadltd wrote:
BTW, I'm putting together an online shop here: http://turner-autosport.turner-auto-design.com - discounts available to all Scottish Elises members (up to 15% on individual items, and I'm happy to accomodate group buys at better discounts). We're agents for quite a lot of top brands, including PTP. It's live and useable, but I'm still loading it with goodies so the range is limited.

That's brilliant Steve - post in the Offers section and that'll make sure that people know about it long after this thread has gone down the list

tadltd · Post by **tadltd** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:42 am

Done! Thanks, Shug.