Itching to get an Elan

[elancoupe]

Thanks guys. It's been an ongoing project for the last 27 years.

[mopho]

That is one of my favorites


Here is a recent shot of mine I took (friend is driving)

[glb]

Mopho & Elancoupe -

You should both be proud. Great jobs.

[Elanlover]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

So you guys recommend an early Elan over an m100?

Late to the party as always but...................


They're 2 totally different cars so it depends on what you want out of your ride. And, do you plan driving either as stock or moddin' the heck out of them?

The ride I had in an early stock Elan gave me the impression of driving a bit of history. Sure, the car didn't feel as dynamic, powerful or as modern by today's standards but it was a real joy to drive. Felt like a walk in the park on a beautiful day (top down of course). The M100 I own feels more like a an exotic sports car - like a little Ferrari (or maybe how Ferrari wanted to make a car handle). Its from the era of the Esprit as well so the cabin isn't spartan, its got plush leather, nice instruments, etc. Good power in stock format but more's available if you start to tweak. Reliable with a bullet proof engine but does have some typical Lotus problems to deal with.

One is only better than the other if you're looking for something in a car that one of them doesn't have.

[babak]

You guys are tearing my heart out, in a good way. Sadly glb's old Elan went quite a bit over my price point. The fantasy continues.

[Alphonse]

Mr. B.

On the Lotus Buzz site there is an Elan listed as for sale at $16,500.
I believe it was posted yesterday or early today.
BRG.
Take a look and hopefully it may help to ease your pain.

I also know of a Europa for sale with a Toyota motor conversion. If you are interested.
Not mine, email me if you are interested and I will connect you with the owner.
It's in Texas.

Al b.

[tvacc]

Now that the other Elan is gone.....I dont want to be accused again of hijacking a thread.

I have a very similar car that I will be selling. If you want more infomation let me know.

It is a total spyder conversion with 26R fenders. It is one of the most fun elans I have ever owned. I have owned a lot.

[glb]

Tony is correct.

the Spyder stuff (chassis, susp arms, rear axle conversion) makes elans way better than new.

You know how when you jack a car @ one corner, most old british cars's door won't open? Not a problem; very stiff chassis. Make the car feel much more modern, if not Mercedes-like.

The Spyder roll-cage makes it a much safer car for one's feet, too.

anyone needing advice can feel free to contact me.

[glb]

This car hasn't really been marketed by its owner, but is for sale

See:

1970 ELAN S4 for Sale

I have driven it and it's very, very nice.

If interested, call Gary Thomas @ (H 973-993-5575.

[CarNut]

Originally Posted by babak

You guys are tearing my heart out, in a good way. Sadly glb's old Elan went quite a bit over my price point. The fantasy continues.

My fantasy also continues. I was one of the people who drove the price up. I thought I was willing to do whatever it took to get that Elan, but there was one guy who was willing to go higher. I finished second and I also am still looking for a good Elan.

[CarNut]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

Mr. B.

On the Lotus Buzz site there is an Elan listed as for sale at $16,500.
I believe it was posted yesterday or early today.
BRG.
Take a look and hopefully it may help to ease your pain.

This car has been listed on some other sites for a while. I ran across it a couple of weeks ago. If you look at the details and pics here:

http://www.phillipspremierauto.com/g...rd/howard.html

it is clearly a project. A good start, but a ways from being complete.

[lotuson74]

I was itching too, but just around the b@lls.

[glb]

Originally Posted by lotuson74

I was itching too, but just around the b@lls.

Tis better to have flunked your Wasserman than never to have loved at all.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by ervsch

The Stromberg carb'd cars may have been a bit slower, but not by much, but they were much less fiddly - the Strombergs were more "set it and forget it". I certainly wouldn't rule them out - in 17 years of ownership, I only rebuilt my carbs once.

Reading some of the previous posts - one comment about the Stromberg carbs. Yes, you may have to "rebuild" them more often than the Webbers. But rebuilding them consists mainly of replacing the rubber diaphragm. You can do this with the carbs on the car. Remove four screws that hold the covers on the carbs. Then remove the screw (or screws - it's been so long I don't remember) that holds the diaphragm to the "slide". Install new rubber diaphragm and reassemble. Maybe 15 minutes to do both carbs - if you have to hunt for the tools. I've replaced the diaphragms a couple of times, and it's no big deal.

That being said, I like my Strombergs and have had no problems There are advantages and disadvantages to both the Webbers and the Strombergs.

But I wouldn't turn down a car with Webbers, if only because the Webbers just plain look right.

[glb]

tim -

I picked up the shelf liner @ Lowes. Thanks.

Haven't we beaten the weber vs strombg topic to death, maybe on this thread?

1. An elan with any carbs is better than none at all.

2. We mildly disagree here. Having had both types of carbs, I would take webers 100 times out of 100. My two stromb friends are not having the same luck you are. Alcohol in the gasoline may be affecting the diaphragm.

I know that too much alcohol affects mine...

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by glb

1. An elan with any carbs is better than none at all.

Originally Posted by glb

2. We mildly disagree here. Having had both types of carbs, I would take webers 100 times out of 100. My two stromb friends are not having the same luck you are. Alcohol in the gasoline may be affecting the diaphragm.

The real point is that both are good. If you find a good car, don't turn it down because it has one type of carb or the other. I'll happily take either - and will readily admit that webbers sure do look better

Originally Posted by glb

I know that too much alcohol affects mine...

I'm not allowed to have it any more. The doctors and my wife yell at me if I even consider it...