A history lesson of Elanmi; its past successes and failures in its history.
As the earliest M100 Lotus Elan’s turn 35 years old this year, I think its time to look back on the history of not the M100 as a whole, as I’m likely not at all qualified to be a reviewer (This could change), but rather, the story of my Elan, which I’ve youthfully (childishly) named Elanmi.
I’ll have to drop a disclaimer that if there are any information that you don’t want included in this post, please drop me an email at charademails@gmail.com, or drop me a message on my relevant social medias. Thank you.
From top to bottom, here goes:
Sometime in 2010, Peck landed himself the Monaco White beauty purchased from another gentleman who had owned it for at least 15 years.
The car at the time had many issues present and ironed out, including:
– Thermal switch to allow radiator fans to be full blast at the 1/2 mark opposed to 3/4
– Inconsistent and rough cold starts
– Blocked radiator core causing cooling issues
– 4th cylinder misfire
– Headgasket replacement
Sadly, what did come next was a “smoke galore”, blue-ish smoke present when the car is on. This prompted an engine teardown.
Suppose some things mentioned (Although not all) were:
-New oil pressure sensor not fitting, requiring an adaptor
-Full set of piston rings
-Fabricated brackets for dashboard
-Car not starting, no fuel coming out of fuel injector
-ESM ECU Chip
The owner was looking to have the top replaced due to sag, however speaking to another shop after deducing prices, it was chosen to only tighten the mechanism to prevent the sag.
The rest of the mods are what I believe would be present on the car, somewhat until now, too.
Samco hoses, Bob’s short shifter kit, I’m not entirely sure about the kit but I wouldn’t describe it as being as vague as people do say the shifter is, I will have to sample another unit to tell the difference. The car also received repainting in its time.
I’m still wondering what parts that used to be in the car have still remained. The Simolta carbon intake is no longer present, nor have I checked for the ECM chip yet (Not hands-on enough to figure it out)
Dare I say the old setup looked sexier than what it has now, solely because of the carbon intake. Not a priority to replace it now, I’d still have other reliability concerns to look at first.
Thanks Peck, for having maintained this car.
Come 2012, on July, the car is put up for sale.
 |
| Source: sgcarmart |
Afterwards, some 8 years later (and coincidentally on the same month around the same period of the month), it comes back on sale again.
 |
| Source: sgcarmart |
The blue lug nuts stayed surprisingly.
 |
| Source: sgcarmart |
From there, the rest is my history to make. Haa, its been just over a year since, and I’m really happy of what opportunities this car has granted. There will be more in the future, no doubt about it. Time will no doubt tell, but the way I see it now, this is my forever car. Circumstances and others might change but I’d like to hold onto this mentality for the time being. Of course, right now, she needs a lot more tender and loving care and I’ll list the current faults Elanmi has:
– Less effective cooling (Hoping the radiator will do wonders)
– Steering play
– Steering ownself moving on braking or very rough surfaces
– Squeaking brakes (Which I would like to get more insight on whether its good or not)
– Ashtray not glued to dashboard
– Interior rattles (A 90’s car after all)
– Worn tyres
– Left headlight motor not always functioning, still manageable via manual adjustment)
It’ll be a slow step-by-step process, and I hope I can iron these out soon enough. Let’s see what the future holds. I definitely need to give it a wash or better yet, a detail, though.
~Linus
