Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi, could any elan owners with experience of competitive historic rallying & hillclimbs offer me some advice please?

After decades' dreaming & saving, I'm finally able to buy my dream road-going sports racer, but with no competitive driving experience & only limited mechanical skills, I've decided to avoid vscc &/or postwar exotica, and spend 2-3 seasons running a more economic car which I can enjoy driving to events, ideally which I can buy ready-prepped, and which will be easily resaleable without much loss. I'm now down to the final choices below, and would appreciate any comments re suitability, or other advice.

Elan drophead - auction 10-20, dealers asking 20-40
Elan +2- auction 5-15, dealers asking 10-25
TR3 - auction 10-20, dealers asking 15-30
Morgan +4 - auction 15-25, dealers asking 25-40
Fulvia - auction 5-20, dealers asking 10-40
240Z - auction 5-20, dealers asking 10-30

Alarmingly, dealer asking prices seem to have jumped enormously - do they really get these figures, and could anyone advise real likely prices for a used competition car suitable for road & track, and/or advise any other suggestions?

(I've ruled out healeys, L 7's, MG's for illogical personal preferences, and jaguar's, ACs etc are outside my first car budget)

Additionally, does anyone have experience of importing from the states? asking prices seem about 25% less there.

Hi Buzzfan,
The only two cars among your list, suitable for hillclimbing would be the Elan and the Fulvia. The best in my opinion would be obviously only the Elan. Parts, tuning, suspension set ups so easy to do and you'll have plenty of help from the forum.
The only drawback is the investment, regardless of the car you choose to prepare, in the event you resell ( unless you sell to a fellow hillclimber) will not be totally recognised so be careful how much you invest.
I personally know of Elans that have 35000 spent on top of their value which have not reached their expected sale price by far. Personally I would only invest those sums of money in an S1 or S2 Elan.
I also believe that the sale price of Elans is 25% less in US. If any european buyer purchases from the states it will cost around 4000 Euros to bring it over, pay taxes and register so in the end it works out the same.
Gino
Milano
Italy

Hi there! So different cars the ones you list, but for historic rallying in a serious way, - the 240 Z is a great choice. I agree it may not be the most agile and driver-fun piece of metal, but with limited mechanical skills, it may be the car for you; - will probably never let you down on the roadside. For rallies like the Monte Carlo Historique, it is a definate winner : Fast, comfortable and reliable.
Dag

Mini.

Hi,
I agree with Gino that the Elan would probably be the most fun. I also need to strongly agree with Dag, having driven datun 510s and 240z. They've been raced so extensively and the sheer number made versus the Elan means there are so many cheap race parts available if your car isn't already track ready. I raced a 510 all through highschool and college and it was my everyday driver spring, summer and fall. It was also over engeneered and very simple. Any car you can be somewhat competitive in on a highschooler's budget and skillset has some merrit.

Mike

thanks all for the advice - i just cant develop much enthusiasm for owning either a mini or a 240z - if being totally practical, i'd keep my wallet closed and take up birdwatching or something - i've always coveted an elan, also the +2 & fulvia, so really it might just boil down to which prepp'ed car first appears at a reasonable price.

WELL Buzzfan ---to be honest ---after 32 years of racing ----[and I don't mean to discourage you]--when its all considered ---looking at race budgets from the past and the monetary returns ---- and considering body and chassis damage [mine] --------BUY A BOAT ------it will hold its value -and the worst thing that will happen to you is you may drown -- --ed

twincamman wrote:WELL Buzzfan ---to be honest ---after 32 years of racing ----[and I don't meant discourage you]--when its all considered ---looking at race budgets from the past and the monetary returns ---- and considering body and chassis damage [mine] --------BUY A BOAT ------it will hold its value -and the worst thing that will happen to you is you may drown -- --ed