SOLD!
We’ve purchased the original Sector111 Art Car and intend to return it to its former glorious state. The car has been a track/race car for the last 9 years so is in need of some TLC. This blog will provide some history and an on-going record of the reconditioning that we are making to the car – mechanically and cosmetically. This car has the historical chops and achievements that make it well worth restoring.
| Engine – KATANA265 – 265hp SC Kit – S111 Dailey Dry Sump – FIAtank – ULTRAliteLINES – gPAN2 – Baffled Oil Pan – ProRAD Radiator – S111 Silicone Engine Hose Kit – RACEmounts – Top-Mounted Fans – S111 RACEmuffler Brakes – 308BBK – FCRbracket – Carbotech XP12 & XP10 pads Exterior – Front Elise Spec Clam – ReVerie CF Side Scoop – Elise CF Hard Top – BBhook2 Interior – R3cage – ReVerie CF XC Seat – ReVerie CF Eclipse Wheel – AiM MXL Pista Dash – AiM SmartyCam – Schroth Enduro Harness – Bollock Shift Knob – Safecraft Fire System – HNTpads | Suspension – Nitron 46mm Race Pro 3-Way – ETHOS Wheels – RTVbrace2 – Nitron S99 Outer Toe Puns – MONOballs – V2arms2 – titanQR – Suspension Refresh Kit Aero – Jubu Racing Front Splitter – ReVerie 1700mmX200mm CF Wing – RACEunderAERO – RACEsills – ReVerie CF Canards Transmission – OS Giken LSD – Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel – Fidanza V2 Track Clutch – SSC Shifter Cable – Shifter re-ENFORCER |
It has an interesting history as it was one of the original cars brought by Lotus to the Elise debut at the LA Autoshow. Read more: HERE. It was painted by an artist, Neil Ratnavira, to become the first Sector111 Art Car – done in the vein of the BMW Art Cars. Ultimately it was turned into a race car that was campaigned in the Lotus Cup series.
The car was used as a test mule for the development of many Sector111 products, including the DRYsump, MRbearings, raceUPRIGHTS, Oil Cooler Lines and much more. The car won races, set track records, while also easily beating factory Exige Cup cars and taking the fight to 211s. It set a track record at Buttonwillow that stood for two years – this was before the track was repaved. Watch the lap: HERE
Subsequent to its retirement from Lotus Cup, the car was sold to a gent who ran the San Diego PCA driving events. Jack would show up with the Art Car and set the fastest times. Repeatedly. I think there were more than a few 911 owners who were in disbelief that a 270hp four banger could beat their GT3s. A true David vs Goliath.
Jack had not been driving the car much in the last year or so and asked if we might be interested. I was in charge of this cars original transformation at Sector111 so jumped at the chance to get it again. When it arrived, I realized that it was truly tired and would need a full renewal. It had sat on an open trailer outdoors and it showed. We will replace or rebuild everything that is not up to snuff. We will make some additional changes to the car that should be improvements – like a shiftR111. These are fairly simple cars and rebuilding them is our specialty.
There were some cracks in the fenders and the paint was tired. Jack had repainted the car at some point and the Art Car livery was lost. We’ve decided to sand it down, do some fiberglass repairs and repaint it. It will an opportunity for us to try some high quality single stage paint. Most of the paint work that we do here are multi-stage paints that can be expensive. This racecar paint job needed to be more affordable. I had learned about this paint from my friend Brian at MultiMatic on a recent trip to Detroit. Apparently they use this paint on the Mustang GT4s and FordGT MKII that they build. Sounds like the perfect product for our ArtCar Refresh!
We started with the bodywork. Modifications to the front clam are getting made to openings that are were originally blocked with metal plates. The oil cooler openings are not used on this car as the stock coolers were deleted because of the dry sump system. Now we plan to glass in these openings to make it look clean and slippery. We also can square off the radiator opening.
We’re going to add a couple of naca ducts to the rear clam to direct some air to the exhaust area. Jesus’s composite skills gives us a chance to add these…
We checked the compression on the engine and it was still strong. Cylinder 1 = 230, 2=210, 3=220 & 4=220. These are well within spec so we will run her – though a good cleaning is in order for sure. We will pull the engine and scrub her further.
dirt ‘n grease 
needs some cleaning!
The SC will get rebuilt along with the gearbox. This was one of the first cars to sport the OS Giken LSDs – which are simply the best. They claim to last a lifetime and so far we have yet to see one fail or need rebuild. This car has lived fast and hard so I’m keen to see the condition of the LSD.
First pass at cleaning… 
Grease be gone!
Holes and seams are getting filled for a smoother surface than before.
The single stage paint is getting applied. It looks quite good. In addition to race car use, this paint is commonly used on commercial vehicles thanks to its durability. I suspect it will be the perfect product for our Art Car.
The art car has now been sold and is undergoing lots of preparation before it goes to its new owner.
The Transmission, Shocks, Supercharger, and Dry Sump Pump are all being rebuilt.
The Supercharger and Dry Sump Pump are finished being rebuilt. The rebuilt Dry Sump Pump has been installed and the Supercharger will be installed soon. We had the opportunity to lay out all the pieces for the Art Car at our Open House, this helped us to get a sneak peek of how awesome this car will look once it’s completed.
The Rebuilt Supercharger and Dry Sump Pump have now been reinstalled. The engine bay is all coming together, we’re looking forward to hearing the car start up again!
The transmission is finished being rebuilt and has now been reinstalled on the Art Car. A rebuilt transmission will give us peace of mind knowing that it will be fully prepared for lots of hard-driving at the race track.
We’ve removed and reinforced the Front Plenum, it is now ready to be reinstalled along with the Radiator. We can now reinstall the Front Clam and see how awesome the front end of the Art Car will look!
The custom Front Clam has now been reinstalled! The Art Car is looking mean! It’s almost ready to tear it up at the racetrack!
We’ve removed the old fuel cell and will soon be ready to install one of our V2 Fuel Tanks. We’ve also removed the passenger seat and installed a lower seat seat grommet to accommodate racing harnesses for added safety at the track!
We’ve replaced the tired old splitter rods with new ones that are ready to support the car at the track; we’ve also repainted the lower front splitter air duct and grill black for a more aggressive look!
We’ve re-installed the carbon fiber front bumper canards to add that little bit of extra front downforce to push the front tires into the pavement.
We’ve installed a shiftR111 with the Handbrake Delete Option. This car is a full-on race car and has no need for a Handbrake!
We decided to relocate all of the cables shown in the image above to the other side of the shifter for a cleaner look.
We’ve now reinstalled the Nitron 46mm Race Pro 3-Way adjustable shocks back on the Art Car. These shocks were rebuilt and are now ready to go back to the track!
The large Carbon Fiber Rear Wing and Rear Clam have been reinstalled. The Art Car is almost done, soon it will be ready to go back on the ground!
Both of the seats have now been reinstalled in the car with Takata 6 point harnesses and Schroth window netting to keep the driver safe while tearing it up on the race track.
The Art Car has now been lowered back onto the ground and is ready for a Corner Balance and Alignment on our Hunter Alignment Rack!
The Art Car is now finished being Aligned and Corner Balanced. The car weighs in at just under 2000 lbs including 5 gallons of fuel and the weight of the driver (205lbs)! The exact Corner Balance specs can be viewed below.
We’ve finished mounting the wing endplates on the Art Car. These large endplates will help to increase downforce at the track!
The Art Car is now FINISHED! After countless hours of restoring this race car to its former glory, it is now ready to re-live its old days of tearing up the racetrack.
