RE: Unique Elan shooting brake!
Discussion
malaccamax said:
RTH said:
Then Lotus Dealer Hexagon of Highgate produced these cars 35 years ago based on the Elan Sprint
Fabulous bit of sleuthing/geekery RTH. If one was to make a criticism of the newer version, it's that the rear window line should have been allowed to straighten as this does. Looks a bit like those pick-up hardtops otherwise. Still though, Andy Williams would be proud. "To dream the impossible dream..."The body was made by specialised mouldings who at the time made all the F1 GRP bodywork HEXAGON was racing in Formula 1 in a Brabham BT 42.
The bodywork was beatifully made fitted and trimmed .
The conversion added £595 to the £1895 price of the new Lotus Elan Sprint.
Only 2 or 3 complete new cars went to customers and later scores of body kits were scrapped, pity they are worth a fortune today !
RTH said:
malaccamax said:
RTH said:
Fabulous bit of sleuthing/geekery RTH. If one was to make a criticism of the newer version, it's that the rear window line should have been allowed to straighten as this does. Looks a bit like those pick-up hardtops otherwise. Still though, Andy Williams would be proud. "To dream the impossible dream..."
Well I have to declare an interest, my brother in law worked for them at the time and I worked for an MG /BL distributor down the road at north Finchley.
The body was made by specialised mouldings who at the time made all the F1 GRP bodywork HEXAGON was racing in Formula 1 in a Brabham BT 42.
The bodywork was beatifully made fitted and trimmed .
The conversion added £595 to the £1895 price of the new Lotus Elan Sprint.
Only 2 or 3 complete new cars went to customers and later scores of body kits were scrapped, pity they are worth a fortune today !
Of those 2 or 3, did any survive that you know about?
malaccamax said:
RTH said:
malaccamax said:
RTH said:
Fabulous bit of sleuthing/geekery RTH. If one was to make a criticism of the newer version, it's that the rear window line should have been allowed to straighten as this does. Looks a bit like those pick-up hardtops otherwise. Still though, Andy Williams would be proud. "To dream the impossible dream..."The body was made by specialised mouldings who at the time made all the F1 GRP bodywork HEXAGON was racing in Formula 1 in a Brabham BT 42.
The bodywork was beatifully made fitted and trimmed .
The conversion added £595 to the £1895 price of the new Lotus Elan Sprint.
Only 2 or 3 complete new cars went to customers and later scores of body kits were scrapped, pity they are worth a fortune today !
[quote]
Oh yes I believe 2 of then are in the hands of a well known Lotus collector, historic racer and really nice bloke !!
[/quote]
I've seen one of them at his place, and I've got some pictures somewhere I took on behalf of an NZ model enthusiast who wanted to build a scale replica. I think it was referred to as the "Elanbulance"
AdrianR
Oh yes I believe 2 of then are in the hands of a well known Lotus collector, historic racer and really nice bloke !!
[/quote]
I've seen one of them at his place, and I've got some pictures somewhere I took on behalf of an NZ model enthusiast who wanted to build a scale replica. I think it was referred to as the "Elanbulance"
AdrianR
Edited by AdrianR on Friday 1st June 17:33
Having seen the car in the "plastic" have to say it is truly stunning, Yes I'd have done things differently, but wouldn't we all? The attention to detail and the finish are sublime,
:rant on:
I'd love to see what the critics on here have created? A few stick on efforts from Halfrauds on a mass produced shoppers special perhaps? I'm part way through restoring a plus 2 from the chassis up (heater box in eleventy million bits at the moment). I have lost count of the time and money involved, well over 500 hours so far and a nother few hundred to go, still, I'm sure many will disaprove/debase what I have achieved, still theres a sale on back boxes for hatchbacks at the local motorist center, I'm sure that would be a better way to go.
:rant off:
Theres a great feature on the "Estralle" as its called in Classic and Sports Car, July 2007 issue
Mark
:rant on:
I'd love to see what the critics on here have created? A few stick on efforts from Halfrauds on a mass produced shoppers special perhaps? I'm part way through restoring a plus 2 from the chassis up (heater box in eleventy million bits at the moment). I have lost count of the time and money involved, well over 500 hours so far and a nother few hundred to go, still, I'm sure many will disaprove/debase what I have achieved, still theres a sale on back boxes for hatchbacks at the local motorist center, I'm sure that would be a better way to go.
:rant off:
Theres a great feature on the "Estralle" as its called in Classic and Sports Car, July 2007 issue
Mark
ELAN+2 said:
Having seen the car in the "plastic" have to say it is truly stunning, Yes I'd have done things differently, but wouldn't we all? The attention to detail and the finish are sublime,
:rant on:
I'd love to see what the critics on here have created? A few stick on efforts from Halfrauds on a mass produced shoppers special perhaps? I'm part way through restoring a plus 2 from the chassis up (heater box in eleventy million bits at the moment). I have lost count of the time and money involved, well over 500 hours so far and a nother few hundred to go, still, I'm sure many will disaprove/debase what I have achieved, still theres a sale on back boxes for hatchbacks at the local motorist center, I'm sure that would be a better way to go.
:rant off:
Theres a great feature on the "Estralle" as its called in Classic and Sports Car, July 2007 issue
Mark
Still, loads of room for a kickin sub in the back now..... :-):rant on:
I'd love to see what the critics on here have created? A few stick on efforts from Halfrauds on a mass produced shoppers special perhaps? I'm part way through restoring a plus 2 from the chassis up (heater box in eleventy million bits at the moment). I have lost count of the time and money involved, well over 500 hours so far and a nother few hundred to go, still, I'm sure many will disaprove/debase what I have achieved, still theres a sale on back boxes for hatchbacks at the local motorist center, I'm sure that would be a better way to go.
:rant off:
Theres a great feature on the "Estralle" as its called in Classic and Sports Car, July 2007 issue
Mark
Gassing Station | General Lotus Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff