Convertible/drop Head +2?

With summer now over my attentions are returning from racing back to completing the rebuild of the +2. The body work prep is essentially complete but I am still considering making it into a drop head. Has anyone got a good website or source of information for the process? I know others have asked this before with little response, any help/photos/refs would be greatly appreciated.
Christopher Neil are now unable to provide a kit of parts, but I could easily get a set fabricated if anyone has details.

MGB

Greetings, here’s a link to a +2 page that may help. I’ve thought about doing the same thing. I would have to reinforce the floor somehow in a structural fashion. Especially if hauling four adults, the rear passengers oblivious to headroom problems. Is the body off the chassis? Good Luck, Eric

        [www.geocities.com/trevorsparrow/elanplus2/elanpages.htm](http://www.geocities.com/trevorsparrow/elanplus2/elanpages.htm)

I have a normal +2 and one converted by CN years ago, The convertable has a Spyder chassis and feels stiffer to drive than the normal one. I have no trouble with the doors etc. - when looking for a convertable I heard horror tales of doors misfitting and scuttle shake. The Spyder chassis has fixed these problems - even if it weights far more than a Lotus one! I would not take the top of a standard car.

Hello chdraper, when you say standard car, are you refering to one with the stock chassis? Is there any additional floor or strut strenghening in your drop head +2 or does just the Spyder chassis provide the strength? Thanks, Eric

Yes - by standard car I mean the Lotus - in my case - replacement chassis. The Spyder chassis is much stiffer - and heavier!! They are a friendly bunch of people and offer a side protection update which I am sure could be also used to stiffen the body. Take a look at http://www.spydercars.co.uk/pg2_spy_rollbar.htm I feel it is worth while getting the chassis right.
By the way I have just been out for a drive in the open car as it is 24?c plus here in Cologne. Not sure if you would be best off buying a “spyder” car to convert or a convertable to Spyderise!
Whatever you do you will be lucky to find one that does not need some work - I will change the wiring loom on mine this winter, and have some work done on the trim. I feel it is worth spending a little money to get it absolutely right.
Good Luck.
Chris Draper

Eric,
Yes the body is off the chassis. After thirty years and approx 25k miles(!) the chassis was like new beneath the underseal (factory applied?). So I stripped it added a few strengthening plates in the usual places, rust proofed it, repainted it & re-undersealed it. The chassis is now essentially complete with the engine installed; everything has been overhauled/replaced. I have used TT adjustable dampers (GAZ I believe), added their threaded spring seats, replaced driveshafts with a UJ-sliding spline version. The engine was rebuilt at 16k-18k to give approx 155hp so I have only stripped cleaned and rebuilt with a new water pump.
The interior of the car (which is out of the shell at the moment) required only minimal cleaning.
The whole project is to give me a car that can be enjoyed on track days but can be driven on the road on hot weekends. I have seen a few nice drop heads and was looking further before I committed myself. I am doing the prep work on the body but will have a it professionally painted when finished.

mgb