Itching to get an Elan - LotusTalk

babak · 10-31-2006, 07:27 PM

Man, I keep winking with the idea of getting an Elan.

I've always liked them. Somebody talk some sense into me. I've even started looking at Westfield XI kits.

fishguy · 10-31-2006, 07:45 PM

I believe Cruex powder will help that itch Babek.

babak · 10-31-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishguyAZ

I believe Cruex powder will help that itch Babek.

I suspect I could get my hand on something stronger

codymac · 10-31-2006, 07:58 PM

Join the club.

My biggest issues are that I've got no place to work on one and, call me nuts, but I'd prefer an FHC.

pianomaniac · 10-31-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babak

I suspect I could get my hand on something stronger

Try Elimite or diphenhydramine.

mopho · 10-31-2006, 08:15 PM

Just scratch it, it feels good

Robert Puertas · 10-31-2006, 08:18 PM

Had a '65 Elan. Amazing car. The Elise feels disconnected in comparison.
I'm trying hard not to rationalize a +2 with a 2.3 Cosworth duratec, cuz you know you could put a baby seat in the back...

babak · 10-31-2006, 08:20 PM

I don't mine FHC's but would prefer a cab for obvious reasons. Mopho, I actually partially blame you for this

The picture of yours with the girl and the plane is one of the reasons I got to thinking about an Elan seriously.

There is a really good looking 63 on ebay, I'm still learning about them and trying to get a sense for the market. There is one partially restored (needs a couple body panels painted and some interior work done) for sale as well but the owner hasn't figured out how much he wants (probably too much).

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopho

Just scratch it, it feels good

Quote:

Originally Posted by codymac

Join the club.

My biggest issues are that I've got no place to work on one and, call me nuts, but I'd prefer an FHC.

dickedup · 10-31-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babak

Man, I keep winking with the idea of getting an Elan.

NOT the M-100 version.

The original.

JnC · 10-31-2006, 08:30 PM

I think what damned the M100 was that it looked too much like the Mercury Capri (also FWD).

mopho · 10-31-2006, 08:32 PM

In case you haven't found it, the forum for Elans is www.lotuselan.net

It's an all technical forum, not much socializing, which is why I hang out here

My car is up on blocks for a few months

Gordon Murray recently published in Evo: " for me as a driver there is nothing more satisfying than driving a well balanced rear drive car with really good steering feel. I suppose my ultimate car for this experience is my 1968 Lotus Elan, which has sublime steering and about 52% of its weight on the rear axle. The Elan's added bonus is that it sits on 155 wide tyres, opening up the possibility of safe 4-wheel drifts to all!"

mopho · 10-31-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JnC

I think what damned the M100 was that it looked too much like the Mercury Capri (also FWD).

I think the M100 is really pretty, shame it is FWD though, but I have been told still fun to drive.

jmfangio · 10-31-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopho

Gordon Murray recently published in Evo: " for me as a driver there is nothing more satisfying than driving a well balanced rear drive car with really good steering feel. I suppose my ultimate car for this experience is my 1968 Lotus Elan, which has sublime steering and about 52% of its weight on the rear axle. The Elan's added bonus is that it sits on 155 wide tyres, opening up the possibility of safe 4-wheel drifts to all!"

I wish I could find the quote, but I remember some automotive writer saying that on a twisty country road, he would take an Elan over any Ferrari ever built.

Oh, my bad...I thought we were supposed to be talking you OUT of one...

mopho · 10-31-2006, 08:47 PM

The green 64 on Ebay looks pretty good
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Early...QQcmdZViewItem

Check out the Europas

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-...QQcmdZViewItem

srwhitman · 10-31-2006, 09:01 PM

I like my M100 - very easy to drive. Not as much fun as my Elise but a lot easier to live with day to day. Having both is the best of both worlds. The original Elan is not exactly the pitence of reliability though from what I hear. The joke on the Lotus mail digest was that everyone else was busy putting together their cars while those of us M100 owners (and now Elise owners) were driving.

PedalPounder · 10-31-2006, 09:01 PM

Do it! DO it!!!! DO IT!

codymac · 10-31-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopho

In case you haven't found it, the forum for Elans is www.lotuselan.net

Jeff is a local and while I don't think I've met him yet, we've got mutual friends (even outside of the Lotus crowd).

Like babak, I blame you for a good bit of it. A nice chunk of the remaining blame goes to unibrain.

A little goes to some photos I found a long time ago of a silver FHC(?) up in the Pacific Northwest area. If anyone knows the owner of that one, I'd love to see those photos again - can't seem to find them.

mopho · 10-31-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srwhitman

I like my M100 - very easy to drive. Not as much fun as my Elise but a lot easier to live with day to day. Having both is the best of both worlds. The original Elan is not exactly the pitence of reliability though from what I hear. The joke on the Lotus mail digest was that everyone else was busy putting together their cars while those of us M100 owners (and now Elise owners) were driving.

The only time my Elan has left me stranded is when the throttle cable broke, but I knew it was on it's last legs and went out for a drive anyway

the reputation of unreliability is over inflated, if you maintain them, they can be reliable.

mopho · 10-31-2006, 09:11 PM

Well, you guys missed out on the ultimate Elan a friend of mine sold a few months ago under duress of divorce. It was powered by a 263hp Cosworth BDP, fuel injected, dry sump, wilwood brakes, no expense spared (he probably had over $80k into it) and he sold it for $32k

0-60 3.2s!

FunElan · 10-31-2006, 09:30 PM

Buy an Elan! Buy that S1! It looks great.

What's the deal with those Europas? I didn't know of a 47R, I knew just of a 47.

10-31-2006, 07:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
babak Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 8,269 Images: 23	Itching to get an Elan Man, I keep winking with the idea of getting an Elan. I've always liked them. Somebody talk some sense into me. I've even started looking at Westfield XI kits. __________________ Babak Club111 Central Plains Coordinator '05 Elise - Touring, HT, StarShield '99 Ducati 996 Bip '05 Freelander SE

10-31-2006, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
fishguy BLAND Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,125 Images: 1	I believe Cruex powder will help that itch Babek. __________________ 1986 Swift DB-1 1987 Porsche Spec 944

10-31-2006, 07:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
codymac short angry bloke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: where the east tapers out and the west begins Posts: 8,569 Images: 19	Join the club. My biggest issues are that I've got no place to work on one and, call me nuts, but I'd prefer an FHC. __________________ torque (tôrk) n. - an excuse for the lack of momentum. - let's bring back CanAm & Group B! - have you hugged your Exige today? I'm currently working on my performance driving merit badge. There's always somebody faster, sometimes it's me.

10-31-2006, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 4,147	Just scratch it, it feels good __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

10-31-2006, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Robert Puertas #0518 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,425 Images: 14	Had a '65 Elan. Amazing car. The Elise feels disconnected in comparison. I'm trying hard not to rationalize a +2 with a 2.3 Cosworth duratec, cuz you know you could put a baby seat in the back... __________________ Robert Puertas Evolution Performance Driving School

10-31-2006, 08:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,731	I think what damned the M100 was that it looked too much like the Mercury Capri (also FWD). __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

10-31-2006, 08:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 4,147	In case you haven't found it, the forum for Elans is www.lotuselan.net It's an all technical forum, not much socializing, which is why I hang out here My car is up on blocks for a few months Gordon Murray recently published in Evo: " for me as a driver there is nothing more satisfying than driving a well balanced rear drive car with really good steering feel. I suppose my ultimate car for this experience is my 1968 Lotus Elan, which has sublime steering and about 52% of its weight on the rear axle. The Elan's added bonus is that it sits on 155 wide tyres, opening up the possibility of safe 4-wheel drifts to all!" __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

10-31-2006, 08:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 4,147	The green 64 on Ebay looks pretty good http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Early...QQcmdZViewItem Check out the Europas http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

10-31-2006, 09:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
srwhitman srw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 172	M100 I like my M100 - very easy to drive. Not as much fun as my Elise but a lot easier to live with day to day. Having both is the best of both worlds. The original Elan is not exactly the pitence of reliability though from what I hear. The joke on the Lotus mail digest was that everyone else was busy putting together their cars while those of us M100 owners (and now Elise owners) were driving.

10-31-2006, 09:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
PedalPounder Drives just like it looks Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Morgan Hill, CA Posts: 532	Do it! DO it!!!! DO IT!

10-31-2006, 09:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 4,147	Well, you guys missed out on the ultimate Elan a friend of mine sold a few months ago under duress of divorce. It was powered by a 263hp Cosworth BDP, fuel injected, dry sump, wilwood brakes, no expense spared (he probably had over $80k into it) and he sold it for $32k 0-60 3.2s! __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

10-31-2006, 09:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
FunElan Finally drove it! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA Posts: 1,024 Images: 19	Buy an Elan! Buy that S1! It looks great. What's the deal with those Europas? I didn't know of a 47R, I knew just of a 47.

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