VTEC 68 Elf

Right Hand Tank is very cool! Does the guy that made it for you have a website? Did he also supply the mounting brackets and ensure the filler neck was correct?

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Paul Gulson makes them. He sells them on Aussie Ebay RH Tanks on Ebay.AU
He supplied all the factory type mountings at an additional cost, and I had him leave the fuel neck loose so that I could fasten it at the correct angle. The fuel neck that extends from the tank is very heavy plastic, and there is a steel sleeve that attaches over it, so you just set the steel neck at the proper position and use a fuel resistant adhesive to glue it into place. Then connect the tank to the LH tank with a stock Mini twin tank connecting pipe. Voila!

They had the Elf on the road today for a short checkout, and I posted a short video clip on the build gallery. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I should be picking up in 2 weeks. Woohoo!
Link to VTEC Elf on Google Video

It's looking really good and very promising. I'm sure you can't wait!

TONYELF wrote:It's looking really good and very promising. I'm sure you can't wait!

That is a cracking little car there!

MX5 seats eh? I'm looking for some nice seats for Rupe!

Will you be posting a pic up of them when you have dyed them?

Incidentally, if anyone is interested, Alfa Romeo Alfa Sud seats fit beautifully - that's if you can find any anywhere!

Are there major mods required to MX5 seats to drop them in to an Elf (or Hornet)?

Jase

I've gotten my Miata (MX5) seats taken apart and started dying them Tartan Red. I've just got one seat base done so far, and it will probably take another coat of dye, but here are some before and after shots. I think they're going to look awesome!

Before


And After! Voila!

Looking awesome!

How did you did them? Spray or brush? Did it go straight on or did you need to prime first? What type/make of dye did you use?

Jase

I sponged my colour on to my seats. The spray that was supplied with the kit kept popping off the spray canister (too much pressure in the propelant!) I was told there would only be enough colourant to do the two front seats and I managed to do the two parts of the back seat as well and the bottle is half full and half empty LOL. I felt more confident with the sponge as I knew the colour was going on (Same colour) I also put the "fixer" coat to seal the colour in with the sponge too. You would not be able to see the colour coat or the fixer go on with the spray as it is too fine. BTW it' a water based colour. The first pic shows seat with crack filler (flexible, sets like rubber(make a note ladies!))
Before

After

The kit was from www.furnitureclinic.co.uk and cost about £80 (start around £30 depending on what you want) Sent them a piece of material from under the seat or back of back seat and they will match it.

TONYELF wrote: The first pic shows seat with crack filler (flexible, sets like rubber(make a note ladies!))

You're just looking for trouble, aren't you, Tony?
I got the dye from a stateside leather place, Leatherworld. Probably the same type stuff you used, waterbased and all. I also sent them a bit of material and they matched the color. Did they call you and ask if you were serious about wanting that color? Wow! I had to repair a hole in one of the side bolsters, and I used the waterbased sealer/filler stuff on that. They supplied me with a spray gun kit, with which I was immediately un-impressed. I ended up using a sponge-foam paint brush. They supplied me with a cleaner/degreaser product which I used before doing the color, and a cream conditioner for after. I got a bit scared when I started and it looked like the seats were going to be pink, but after a couple of coats, it's turning out nicely. I also painted all of the plastic covers and such that will go on the seats. I found a Red Wine satin spray paint that matches the Tartan Red pretty well. I'll have to take some more pictures.

LOL I live dangerously don't I!!!
I found it scary when applying the blue but found it so easy I did not worry about it too much. The kit came with everything I needed including a spatula to apply the crack filler. a long flat pair of tweezers to inside a leather patch under a tear ( I stitched mine as the tear was alongside the piping on edge of seat.
The colour is the original powder blue which I was a little sceptical about. The carpet is the main worry but over carpets keep them clean!
I want to keep the elf as original as much as possible .
A tip I have been given by a professional upholsterer is to wipe the leather down at least once a month with a damp cloth, it moistens and freshens the leather up.
Now for a rechrome of rear bumper?

seats looking good guys

Just got a few new pictures.

Looking very SMART there Brian. I'm almost jealous! Lovely photos too

TONYELF wrote:Looking very SMART there Brian. I'm almost jealous! Lovely photos too

They kept sending me blurry pics taken inside the shop under the dim fluorescent lights. Arghh!
I finally told them to take the bloody car outside and get me some decent pictures. They were good enough to wash it up for me first. They're a great bunch of guys at Mini Tec, but they need to hire me as their photographer.

I often find that with Flourecent lights. Can't beat the sun and natural light. you are modest (just like me LOL!)

TONYELF wrote:I often find that with Flourecent lights. Can't beat the sun and natural light. you are modest (just like me LOL!)

Wow!

At the risk of being controversial, I would go as far as to say you could possibly have the best Elf on the Planet there! If not "the" best it surely must be in the top 5!

Soichi's in Japan has to be up there too, but I think (although the purists would burn me for it....) that someone would be hard pushed to better yours!

Jase

discoman41 wrote:
Wow!

At the risk of being controversial, I would go as far as to say you could possibly have the best Elf on the Planet there! If not "the" best it surely must be in the top 5!

Soichi's in Japan has to be up there too, but I think (although the purists would burn me for it....) that someone would be hard pushed to better yours!

Jase

I appreciate the sentiment, but I think I'll remove my car from competition. I wouldn't dream of competing on the same playing field with Soichi, Tony, Andrew, or many other beautiful original cars out there.
But, I'll happily settle for Best Highly Modified Professionally Built Honda VTEC Powered Elf on the Planet.

wow - looks just great! love those bespoke extra grilles on the front - very cool!

Here's my new Logo: (Thanks to Deano on MiniAddicts for the idea.)
Special Tuning Elf (S.T.Elf)

hi just looking at recent pictures of your elf,nice looking car....is that damask red that its painted in?...the elf

the elf wrote:hi just looking at recent pictures of your elf,nice looking car....is that damask red that its painted in?...the elf

The colors used were Damask Red and Whitehall Beige, as per original color codes, painted with base and clear coats. However, when cross referencing the codes with the newer paint codes for the base coat it came up with Blood Red. Same color, cooler name! So I'm calling it Blood-n-Beige.

Red Riley wrote:

discoman41 wrote:
Wow!

At the risk of being controversial, I would go as far as to say you could possibly have the best Elf on the Planet there! If not "the" best it surely must be in the top 5!

Soichi's in Japan has to be up there too, but I think (although the purists would burn me for it....) that someone would be hard pushed to better yours!

Jase

I appreciate the sentiment, but I think I'll remove my car from competition. I wouldn't dream of competing on the same playing field with Soichi, Tony, Andrew, or many other beautiful original cars out there.
But, I'll happily settle for Best Highly Modified Professionally Built Honda VTEC Powered Elf on the Planet.

I take that as a very nice compliment. Thanks, The judges at Bingley show obviously didn't think Elfie was worthy of the first prize which went to a pampered mini, you know the type? wrapped in cotton wool, never driven to the shows,always trailered, proberbly not even taxed or Mot'd How can anyone who uses their cars as they should, compete with that?

Beautiful absolutley Beautiful. Well done.