Researching the history of my 26R

[Famous Frank]

I'm looking to learn more history of my 66 S2 26R. I bought my 26R 18 years ago when I purchased 9000 pounds of used Lotus Parts. Mixed in with the Lotus Parts were some Sprite / Midget parts and also some Rolls / Bentley parts. I purchased the parts from a gentleman in Anniston, Alabama, USA 18 years ago. he new nothing about the history of the parts. The parts were given to him by someone else who owed him money.

While looking at a few boxes of parts, I found this dash plaque. It says "Performance Cars, Ltd" on the top, "The Sports Car People" on the bottom, and "Regarde St Christopher ... PUIS VA TEN RASSURE" in the center. Does anyone know of any history of a plaque like this? A friend mentioned it might be prewar but I'm not sure.

Additionally, does anyone know any history or remember seeing a turqoise green 26R Elan with the number 16CP on the doors? "CP" stood for C-Production years ago when that was the class Elans were classed in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America).

Thank you all very much! Frank

[Famous Frank]

Also, here is a picture of the 26R door with the number "16CP" dispalyed. As you can see the car was red before it was this turqoise green.

And many thanks to fellow Elan.net member Greg Zelazek who has taught be how to attach photos. I have a whole new skill!

Thanks, Frank

[bigvalvehead]

Hi Frank
Do you have the chassis no? If so I can tell you when it left the factory and who bought it.
Cheers
Dave Hughes
26-R-9

[1964 S1]

Hello Famous,
I'd contact SCCA to see if there's an archivist or data base for regional and national races from that era. The car numbers and marque will be documented. I can search old home movies and slides from tracks here in the midwest we attended when I was a kid, personally, I don't remember too many Elans... the repaint makes it all that more intriqueing.
What leads you to believe it's an R ?

Eric

[twincamman]

Frank ---I must caution you to think very carefully when answering this question! ---I came to the site with expectations of camaraderie and very excited with my car [series 26 r series 2 #33 ] with a CASC race history. Performance Cars is located on Lake Street in St Catherines Ont .Google them they should have a history of your car's sale --and as I have not heard of another dealer with that name its worth a look see .it was and still is operated by Cam Champion [a fast racer in his day] and they were Sports car distributors for BMC Lotus etc in the late 50s and 60s good luck and be very careful with some of this lot lest you become sport for some of them --as an aside I have been dissuaded by my son from destroying the car on my demise so it will go to some one who will provide a good home for her : -ed

Edit by the Editor to remove questionable material.

[gordont]

Welcome back twincamman

[garyeanderson]

I got one!

The Performance Cars Ltd badge that is.
I came on the center console of the L reg RHD coupe 7004090078E that I bought in Cranston, Rhode Island. Lotus archives has no record of this car but it was brought into the country by one of the U.S. sailors stationed in Newport, I believe that was the story. I have an advertisenent for Performance Cars Ltd in on of the U.K magazines but I was unable to locate the ad. The rags are stored in the attic and its 32 degrees and so is the paper. I looked through 7 of the likely candidates and came up empty on the firms location but its definitely U.K.

[Elanintheforest]

They were a car dealer in London in the 60s and 70s...often had an advert in MotorSport magazine.

My 50/0024 has one as well!

Mark

[elansprint71]

Frank ---I must caution you to think very carefully when answering this question! ---I came to the site with expectations of camaraderie and very excited with my car [series 26 r series 2 #33 ] with a CASC race history only to be attack in a most ungentlemanly fashion by a few listers [this one person asking the question in particular ].I was accused of skulduggery fraud and chicanery so I promised myself I would never post here again because of the constant negativity [as it became very tiresome and repetitive after a while constantly defending the car and my position as owner ] , but while checking the for sales your thread came to my attention and I offer this bit of information before you become sport for the Limeys ---BEWARE here --all is not as friendly as it appears --now for the medallion --Performance Cars is located on Lake Street in St Catherines Ont .Google them they should have a history of your car's sale --and as I have not heard of another dealer with that name its worth a look see .it was and still is operated by Cam Champion [a fast racer in his day] and they were Sports car distributors for BMC Lotus etc in the late 50s and 60s good luck and be very careful with some of this lot lest you become sport for some of them --as an aside I have been dissuaded by my son from destroying the car on my demise so it will go to some one who will provide a good home for her : -ed