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Glad to see the thread being updated again.
I am guilty of being one of those offering wheel opinions when none were needed, I hope we can all still enjoy the quality of updates we are used to from you. Happy new year and I hope it will be a good one for you and the Hethel wedge.
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Hi Mystery Machine, I just wanted to say at I think it's a shame that you are reverting to the 'short' thread style. One of the main reasons I read your threads, apart from the cars themselves, is because I thoroughly enjoy 'listening' to your thought processes and watching your projects come to life. Even if your ideas don't work (rare), the way you deal with your problems is inspirational and entertaining, the whole reason I'm a member of this forum and others like it. After reading your reasoning for changing your writing style, fair enough, it's your thread after all but it would be a shame to lose the personality you inject into your posts. Anyway, off the soapbox  looking forward to further updates. Matt |
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1982 Granada 2.8 Ghia X - SOLD ☹️
1976 Mini Clubman Estate - Getting there slowly.
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Thanks Al and Matt. I appreciate the comments. I'll just see how I go with the thread, but will just continue to work away with the car in my own way behind the scenes and report back here when I've got something interesting or worthy of posting. Most of the research and phonecalls that have consituted a LOT of time would not make for great reading. Nor the lying in bed plotting, scheming and planning everything through to the fine details. Something I was playing with for a few minutes whilst trying to remove the headlight assemblies from the Excel was the whole idea of low-pro headlights. Unlike the crazy, complicated and totally unreliable vacuum system on the Elite, the Excel was blessed with electric pop-up lights. When I first viewed the car, and ever since, it seemed almost unreal that the lights just stayed down. I was so used to seeing that surprised expression all the time. Being electric means they stay down when I want them to, and up whenever I decide. BONUS! Winding the mechanism up manually to remove them from the car, I stopped when I reached the 4" mark (the depth of the lights I intend to fit) and did some comparison photos for you to see. Please note, I WILL be carrying out the low-pro mod...this is not an opinion gathering excercise, but just some shots to show you roughly how it could look compared to the standard lamp height. (obviously the housing will be modified to take a rectangular 6"x4" lamp unit) Standard:  Low-profile:  Standard:  Low-profile:  Standard:  Low-profile:  Standard:  Low-profile:  Yep, I'm happy with that look - it's just how I'd hoped it would look. At some point much later in the build, I just have the small task of making it all work and modifying the covers appropriately. While looking at the pics on the computer, I realised how much I love the look of the Turbovecs on the car. Just with the wrong tyre fitment (far too low profile and far too narrow). It didn't stop me dropping the car a touch in photoshop. Probably somewhere near the kind of ride height I'll be aiming for when I turn my attention to the suspension design.  Yep, I'm happy with that look too! |
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Its nice to see someone who really works for his cars. In an approach that the owner/builder wants nothing but the best for his charges. I shall want to keep an eye on this car as it has the makings of great things. When mines finished you can do me the honour of parking near to it at an event ;D
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Living the dream. Restore's classic car's for a living!
Project Racer: '99 Arosa
Project Touge Outlaw: '87 Porsche 924S
Project Street sleeper: '95 BMW E34 540i/A Touring
Project Mafia: '04 BMW E53 3.0d
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I like |
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I too like |
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Club Retro Rides Member
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 3,062 
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Looks good with the low profile lights and the J wheels ;D Glad to see the ole girl is still progressing, even if you did lose heart a bit |
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Great to see the mods you are thinking about on the lotus, the Excel's must be one of the best value Lotus cars you can get and the couple I have driven were absolutely fantastic to drive especially on B roads. Looking forward to seeing you work through this.
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1992 Range Rover vogue tdi
1991 Westfield
1970 MG B GT
To infirmity and behond.
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Low-profile: Quick question, is it possible to move the pivot point of the whole lamp so when in this position the lamp cover (bit that lies flush with the bonnet when down) so it looks horizontal in this profile? Not a suggestion on what to do, just a question. Also have to say glad to see posts again, I hardly ever post as I have nothing constructive to add John |
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Are you going to go with a simlar look to the RS actives on MX5 ? Jazz on Nutz is selling "legal" rectangular lights that would fit in there a treat,but i suppose there are cheaper alternatives.What about faired in lights???
Top thread by the way......
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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I get what you mean about this thread going wayyyy off track. I had totally lost interest. Good plan to let the dust settle.
I definitely like the Lotus content though. If I wasn't thigh deep in British plastic 70's underdog Scimitar, I'd be considering British plastic 80's underdog Excel.
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Well, seeing the quick mock ups of the low-pro lights has me grinning, it's going to look pretty sweet.
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Fraser
Part of things
Posts: 23
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Something I was playing with for a few minutes whilst trying to remove the headlight assemblies from the Excel was the whole idea of low-pro headlights.
Unlike the crazy, complicated and totally unreliable vacuum system on the Elite, the Excel was blessed with electric pop-up lights. When I first viewed the car, and ever since, it seemed almost unreal that the lights just stayed down. I was so used to seeing that surprised expression all the time.
Being electric means they stay down when I want them to, and up whenever I decide. BONUS! Winding the mechanism up manually to remove them from the car, I stopped when I reached the 4" mark (the depth of the lights I intend to fit) and did some comparison photos for you to see. Please note, I WILL be carrying out the low-pro mod...this is not an opinion gathering excercise, but just some shots to show you roughly how it could look compared to the standard lamp height.
(obviously the housing will be modified to take a rectangular 6"x4" lamp unit)
Bruce,
Love all of your threads, please keep the thought process into your actions in each one. Anyway, as a former owner of a ford probe,, you may want to pop over to ukpoc (probe owners). They have an easy mod which gives a probe the 'sleepy eye', which may work on the Lotus.
Cheers
Fraser
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CIH
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,466
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I haven't seen this thread since maybe pg2 over a year ago and I've just read the whole thing. For what it's worth I'm a zillion% behind you Bruce with the headlight mods. I don't think I've ever seen a "deployed" flip-up that looks anything other than awful with a round headlight, even on Porsche and Ferraris - actually especially on Ferraris. And I frickin' love flip-ups.
Did you know Nissan Silvia S12s could be had with flip-ups and washers (wipers 'n' all) ? Not making suggestions or anything......just' sayin'.........y'know.........lol.
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whyso
Part of things
Posts: 26
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Feb 27, 2013 17:17:59 GMT
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Last Edit: Feb 27, 2013 17:45:07 GMT by whyso
Zagato Zele '74?
T3 Dehler '83
Lotus Elite S1 '79
Fiberfab Jamaican S1 '69
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,717
Club RR Member Number: 11
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wait just a minute there's now and Excel......Excellent (groan)nice brace of Loti now |
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orangecords
Part of things
yawner extraordinaire
Posts: 892
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Bruce....your individuality,vision,ability,perfectionism and general car building awesomeness are LEGENDARY in the car building world. Your threads always capture my interest and imagination so please bin this new diet post malarkey and bring back the Bruceness!!! This thread went on a walk and persisted you off (to be fair I think you've done well not to have blown a gasket in response-i'd have gone bat poo crazy!!!) so feck em all and bring it on!!!! That headlight mod and those rims look EPIC btw Dave |
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I then wanted to start cleaning the interior as it stinks of wood (the material not the smell of a boner) best quote ever! |
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jpsmit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,274
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I have been thinking about this thread a lot lately. Any chance of catching us upon progress? As has been said amply, i knowit went off the tracks, but, the quality, not just of the work, but of the thought process is not only what keeps me coming back to RR but it is truly and edication for those of us who only wish we could take on projects of this magnitude.
(Offers prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of desperate causes for Mystery Machine's safe return)
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,338
Club RR Member Number: 160
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I have been thinking about this thread a lot lately. Any chance of catching us upon progress? As has been said amply, I knowit went off the tracks, but, the quality, not just of the work, but of the thought process is not only what keeps me coming back to RR but it is truly and edication for those of us who only wish we could take on projects of this magnitude. (Offers prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of desperate causes for Mystery Machine's safe return) In terms of progress, we used the excell door as a kebab shopping list and then put the elite on a scaffold rack with the excell underneath. I'm sure Bruce will be along shortly to explain.. |
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niwid
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,754
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Loving the look of the low pro lights, but agree with whoever said it would be cool to bring the pivot point back.
And please keep your writing style Bruce. Your threads are like reading a good book, they tell a factual and emotional story that keeps you guessing to the end.
In fact, you should write a book
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looking forward to further updates.
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Sorry for that!
Ax GTi Turbo
