Non OEM clams - any experience?

[pshanks76]

Does anyone have any experience with non Lotus clams, in particular the front clam? I need to replace mine and looking to see if the more cost effective options are worthwhile considering.

One's I've seen available are via Elise-spares, PB Racing and Elise-parts:

http://elise-spares.com/index.php?route ... uct_id=158
http://www.pbracingshop.com/en/aerodyna ... glass.html
https://www.eliseparts.com/products/sho ... clamshell/

Cheers, Paul

[AJT]

Also try Lotushardtops.com

http://www.lotushardtops.com/clamshells ... shell.html

[Mike Scib]

I believe Lotus Hardtops supply Elise Parts with there clams, could be wrong.

Jonnyboy who is a member on here is the MD of Lotus Hardtops so maybe worth a PM

[mwmackenzie]

Did you buy the car back?

[pshanks76]

Did you buy the car back?

I haven't firmly committed yet but looks likely. The insurers gave me a crappy initial valuation but after some argument and evidence gathering they upped it significantly and have now offered more than I actually paid for it.

Just getting quotes to see if buying back and repairing is going to be financially viable.

[pshanks76]

Also try Lotushardtops.com

http://www.lotushardtops.com/clamshells ... shell.html

Thanks, forgot to list them!

[mwmackenzie]

Did you buy the car back?

I haven't firmly committed yet but looks likely. The insurers gave me a crappy initial valuation but after some argument and evidence gathering they upped it significantly and have now offered more than I actually paid for it.

Just getting quotes to see if buying back and repairing is going to be financially viable.

Remember me if you don't

[robin]

Could you not take the money and buy a non-crashed car? Your car's value will surely be lower once the crash is recorded against it and repairs are always more involved/more expensive than you think - not your problem when the insurer is paying - but is your problem if you're doing it solo. My advice, haggle for max payout, take it, buy a new car. Leave the rebuild to some other sucker (i.e. Mark ).

Sorry, cannot actually help on the non-OEM clam, but given how well a lot of non-OEM stuff fits, you may have some fettling to do (Note: that's not always their fault - a lot of stuff on the Elise is just a bit random so hard to make fits-like-a-glove parts).

Cheers,
Robin

[mwmackenzie]

Could you not take the money and buy a non-crashed car? Your car's value will surely be lower once the crash is recorded against it and repairs are always more involved/more expensive than you think - not your problem when the insurer is paying - but is your problem if you're doing it solo. My advice, haggle for max payout, take it, buy a new car. Leave the rebuild to some other sucker (i.e. Mark ).

Sorry, cannot actually help on the non-OEM clam, but given how well a lot of non-OEM stuff fits, you may have some fettling to do (Note: that's not always their fault - a lot of stuff on the Elise is just a bit random so hard to make fits-like-a-glove parts).

Cheers,
Robin

Hahahaha... I don't want the car Robin, I have one remember. lol Few bits though lol

[Shug]

Sorry, cannot actually help on the non-OEM clam, but given how well a lot of non-OEM stuff fits, you may have some fettling to do (Note: that's not always their fault - a lot of stuff on the Elise is just a bit random so hard to make fits-like-a-glove parts).

Agree with Robin - no personal experience of them, but given the S2 clams were made in a moulding process (not hand laid, like S1) that resulted in pretty good finish and crispness, I'd imagine any hand-laid pattern parts might not live up to OEM or marry up very well, given S2 clams were accordingly a bit thinner. I know they went back to hand lay-up for Exige S2, but not sure actually, how the clams are currently done - could be my hazy memory, but I half remember the French company that was doing the moulding process went bust?

Whatever the process, even on pressed steel stuff, pattern parts pretty often need a good fettling to fit, so they won't be hassle free bolt-on, IMO.

[pshanks76]

Thanks guys. I'm getting a quote from Option1 and CMC has spoken to his body shop and says that they have parts that will allow them to repair rather than replace in some areas, and he's confident that it can be done well within my budget.

Robin, that was my original plan but I really like this model and there aren't many available, then you still have the issue of whether you get a good 'in or not. With this car I know what I have. You're right that resale value will be down as it's Cat D but I'm not planning on selling any time soon.

The money I get from the insurers should pay for the repairs and leave me with cash in my pocket (to offset the value reduction) or to spend on upgrades:)