[UKphil]

Ah,

So the US only received the later model with the full width grille...

A friend of mine in the UK had one that was so immaculate it was thought that it had been rebodied at some time. He wanted to make sure that, if so, they'd used the right shell. He was told that apart from the "A" frame - the early Lotus had a different pedal box. Everything checked out.

Looking at the engine in the picture reminded me that one day he had a bad engine earth - resulting in a spark across the choke cable - which ran next to the carbs - which spat out a blast of gas/air - which ignited and set fire to the engine bay.

Just back from the body shop his wife left it outside the school where she was dropping off her kids. While she was away two guys turned up in overalls - one unlocked the door (not difficult at all) and started the engine. A passerby who knew the car leaned in and asked what was going on. The guy calmly told her they were collecting it, as arranged, to take it for a new exhaust.

My friend never saw it again.

Looking at the car in the picture - it would be a braver man than I that took that on.
Turrents need immediate attention.
I presume that a reinforcement plate would be unacceptable for a "proper" restoration so there's a bit of work there.