Racing Elans - who, where were the pictures taken and when

[vstibbard]

Thought these links would be interesting found whilst browsing the net on holidays from Pete Taylor Photography, with quite a few interesting Elan pictures:
Gold Bug Elan??
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=3245951
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=3245948

The Rochas Elan
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=3424377
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=3237560
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=3237571

Where is this Shapecraft Elan now?
http://www.petetaylor.org.uk/photo_1673 ... id=1673723
All links to Pete Taylor Photography

I'm missing the terrific information that was in the 26R thread and all the amazing shots of 1ELA (Shapecraft) that has now lost its momentum, as a 26R owner (26-S2-40) I'm hoping these reignite the sharing of more period history, period pictures anecdotes and experiences.

Cheers Vaughan

[elansprint71]

Vaughan,
Thanks for posting the links to my website!
All of the photos were taken at Oulton Park in the 1970s, with the exception of the "General Provisions Sprint", which was racing at Aintree.
There were two Rochas Elans, I have some shots of them together and will stick one up on my site.


I also am disappointed with the way the 26/R thread has gone dormant, unfortunately our two new contributors seem to have been put off by the "frontier manners" of one of our members.

EDIT: AUT173B, the Shapecraft car shown, is still registered in the UK, colour Gold and body described as "saloon"! Date of registration 23/04/1964. I'm sure that Dave Hughes has more info.

[vstibbard]

Thanks Pete, Great pictures, I was totally shocked by the butchered 23B!, I've sent the link to MArc shagen who is one of the two HLR 23 Registrars.

If you have other shots of 26R's racing in period please let me know, I've 2 images framed like a mirror image, one being Alfa 1600 GTA with Enrico Pinto in UK in full 4 wheel drift in black and white and the other my 1750 GTA Rep in full 4 wheels drift in colour... I'm looking forward to returning my 26R to the track in November and will be hoping to emulate the efforts of drivers in the past to come up with another.

I'll post a few pictures of Aussie 26R's in next post.

Lets hope either of these posts brings back the two contributors and hopefully others.

cheers

V

[vstibbard]

Here are a few pictures of Australian 26r's racing and an article from Australian Motoring Magazine.

I'm beginning to be convinced that pictures posted from down under always appear upside down, when I view them on my computer they are right side up!

cheers

V

[elansprint71]

The Rochas team Elans; I don't think that these were Kosher 26/Rs.

[elj221c]

I made reference here, Pete. I have no idea where the cars ended up.......

elan-racing-f12/26r-identities-and-other-info-t17764-315.html

[elansprint71]

Thanks for the correction Roy (at least my memory is half working).

[elansprint71]

Vaughan,

Shapecraft Elan 26/R AUT173B has a new owner in Switzerland; I'll see if I can provide more details soon.

[vstibbard]

My 26R at the Tasman meeting 6 years after buying the car, the full restoration is pretty much complete, few minor interior details to get right yet then it will be as it was. Next steps to fine tune suspension setup to my likes in February before heading up to Queensland to reunite it with its first two owners, Bill Gates with his mechanic/ co driver Jim Bertram and then Anne Thompson

Its definitely been worth the wait... the car in the Background in Elfin 300, I'm slowly working on a sister car to this one.

V

[elansprint71]

Vaughan,

Shapecraft Elan 26/R AUT173B has a new owner in Switzerland; I'll see if I can provide more details soon.

E-mail from Mike Humphries, new owner:
The car is indeed 26R number 7. It was built for Major Dick Crosfield who raced it in the 1965 Autosport Championship (which he ultimately won). As far as I am aware it is one of the three Shapecrafts built on genuine 26Rs in period. The other two were the Surbiton Motors cars with the rear quarterlights as you mention. Tony Thompson owned the car briefly and has kindly verified it for me. It needs a total restoration which is being undertaken by Simon Hadfield who has run the car since the mid ?80s (I bought it from his client). I hope to be out racing in it this summer.

So, from this, the car is still located in the UK. More info as and when...

[vstibbard]

Thanks Pete, definitely interested in any pictures of the car, and very pleased to see the new owners wil be getting out out racing.

V

[SJ Lambert]

How about this one Vaughan!!!

[vstibbard]

Many thanks, that would be my car, any details of where and when, drivers would haveen either Bill Gates, Jim Bertram or Ann Thompson, can't remember who helped her with the car and i understand may have driven the car.
If you have high res oicture i would love a copy.
Cheers V

[SJ Lambert]

12 Feb 1967 Lakeside, Fred Gibson leading in this shot. The previous shot is later in time, 25 June 1967, still at Lakeside.

[lance54]

The cornering attitude of Elans has certainly changed over the past 45 years.

Modern tires, 200 pound springs and a 1.0 inch sway bar make for a different stance.