[mk28Lotus]

Attended one of Brian Buckland's lectures at LOG 33 as well as a discussion he had with the Ottawa Lotus Club. He was quite adamant that when the body and chassis are separated, that the body be placed on some sort of low-level platform so that when the chassis has all its stuff in place (ie engine, transmission, brake lines, etc), the platform can be wheeled over beside the chassis and the body then easily placed on top of the chassis with minimu lifting. Brian felt that manully picking up the body to any great height can be dangerous if someone slips or loses grip. Also do not lift the body around the fender openings for fear of cracking the body --he suggests just lifting at the ends.

What is the experience in the club about this? Anyone built any sort of platform?

I have a '66 S3 SE DHC that I have had for quite a few years with the body simply sitting on top of the chassis on a snowmobile trailer. Chassis has been restored already and I want now to take the body off and begin the rebuild.

 

[zog]

If the body is bare, the best place to grab is on each side along the door openings where the re-bar reinforces the side sills. A 4 person grab is ideal. If you grab by the front and rear and the car has had previous fiberglass repairs, you may find out where the seams are as they tear away. Ask me how I know this!

zog

 

[Formulabob]

Have done two Elan (original) body off/ons. +1 what Zog says, also use four people to lift the body even though two strong people theoretically is sufficient. By the ends is worst way possible. By the wheel openings is better than by the ends and I actually prefer this way to remove a body known to be undamaged. Strip all the window hardware from the doors but leave them on the body as additional insurance against body cracks from the stress of removing it from the frame.

For my "platform" I used a 2x4x12' under each body side rail with 2x4x? cut and screwed between each end. Three wood screws through the body into each long 2x4 and you have a stable body platform for both storage and to lift and reinstall it on the frame. Patch the screw holes after body reinstallation.