[tvacc]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Actually I don't remember all the reinforcements.

I know that the front suspension towers usually need reinforcing, several gussets are added at locations where things meet at right angles, and the lower locating rod mounting point for the differential usually get reinforced.

Tony Thomson in the UK sells (or at least they used to) factory frame that has been reinforced. I'd copy all the "fixes" that they do, and that should cover them all.

Actually their frame is a good idea - it's a factory frame that is all jigged up and welded up just right. I think they heat cycle it to relieve any stresses caused by the welding. Along that line, welding up the Elan frame is not an easy thing to do - it is very thin metal and can easily be warped when welding.

In may case, my original frame was just fine (not even rusty in the usual places) so I abandoned any thoughts of replacing or modifying the frame - and it saved me the trouble of removing the body from the frame.

I got really paranoid that I did not know that answer and that Tim would. I like to tell people that if Tim and I dont know "it" when it comes to Elans.......well...then it is not worth knowing.

I feel better that he did not know as well.

Saying that...to even see a 26R let alone know it well enough to know what you are asking is asking a lot. There are not that many of them. I worked on one extensively when I was in College. A guy named Harold asked me to help him. He had an ex-Jackie Oliver car. I fogot the number. For may years I had the light hardtop...windows...side top fiberglass....and many other parts. He gave them to me for helping him. I could have bought the car in 1982 for 5K. Still kicking myself....