Pre 76 Elan - Should I scratch the itch?!

[Tin Hat]

Hi All,

I attended a pretty low key car meet last Summer, amongst the cars there was a cracking Elan Sprint in a very interesting green/copper colour combo. The look, the wooden dash, the size etc looked utterly perfect to me.

As a 20 year plus owner of an Elise, 7 year owner of a V6 Exige, I clearly feel that the Lotus DNA fits me and I cannot stop looking at Elans in the classifieds. Many around the 30-40K bracket ( non Sprints ) have been treated to indulgent levels of repair. Originality is not a must for me, if there are know n fixes for things like overheating, I would happily seek a modified one that addresses this shortcoming

Can I ask those that know:

Are FHC's like an oven in the summer?
Are the later cars significantly better?
Will the build quality be worse or better than my 1970 Mini?
Is the side impact protection basically fibreglass?

What do I need to know?

Thanks in advance!

TH

[Tin Hat]

Lotobear said:

Tin Hat said:

Hi All,

I attended a pretty low key car meet last Summer, amongst the cars there was a cracking Elan Sprint in a very interesting green/copper colour combo. The look, the wooden dash, the size etc looked utterly perfect to me.

As a 20 year plus owner of an Elise, 7 year owner of a V6 Exige, I clearly feel that the Lotus DNA fits me and I cannot stop looking at Elans in the classifieds. Many around the 30-40K bracket ( non Sprints ) have been treated to indulgent levels of repair. Originality is not a must for me, if there are know n fixes for things like overheating, I would happily seek a modified one that addresses this shortcoming

Can I ask those that know:

Are FHC's like an oven in the summer?
Are the later cars significantly better?
Will the build quality be worse or better than my 1970 Mini?
Is the side impact protection basically fibreglass?

What do I need to know?

Thanks in advance!

TH

All Elans tend to get hot inside due to their size and 'tight' engine bay arrangement

Later cars are no better per se than earlier ones though it depends in what respect you are framing the term 'better'

I don't think you can really make any meaningful comparison between a Mini and an Elan (I have/have had both), they are very different things. Don't forget all Elans are likely to have been rebuilt and so the 'build quality' will very much depend upon how well they have been done.

There is no side impact protection - Elan incorporates a wire lattice arrangement in the cill structure which has usually dissolved, the Plus 2 has a more substantial box section in the cill which also doubles as the seat belt pick up point but those too have often turned to dust. If crash worthiness is high on your priority list an Elan is probably not for you.

They are however brilliant to drive with steering feel and precision that I'd submit is even better than any modern Lotus. They are a real event to drive in any form.

You really need to have a drive or passenger in one to know if its right for you.

My friend has a 'baby' Elan with a 185bhp Zetec in and it's a complete riot. Many folk improve them for modern reliability with better cooling, CV driveshafts, spaceframe replacement chassis (a la Spyder) electronic ignition and even fuel injection.

I have an Elise 111s and a Plus 2 and the Plus 2 is more of an occasion to drive and garners far more attention (if that's your thing).

Edited by Lotobear on Monday 13th February 18:06

Very much appreciated, thanks for taking the time to respond!!