Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

In 1976 I purchased these 4 into 1 Exhaust Headers from RRS Engineering is El Segundo CA for my SCCA C-Production Elan.

RRS was a partnership between Jim Lissener and Dave Bean prior to Dave going on his own and was the only source for Elan race parts in the USA. Wasn't much in the UK then either.

Photo is from 1977 with nickle plating added.



Just $150 in 1976....



Late last year the very same headers returned to my garage 40 years after they left my custody.



They will now begin a new life in my Historic Spec Elan.

Good catch Clark, Nice to know I'm not the only one who would keep a 40 year old receipt.

I didn't realize that Dave Bean was a partner in RRS. I can remember buying Sprint donuts from them, back at the same time you bought the headers.

Roger

Clark,

I'll give you $150 for them! They're nice looking!

Frank

Elan45 wrote:Good catch Clark, Nice to know I'm not the only one who would keep a 40 year old receipt.

I didn't realize that Dave Bean was a partner in RRS. I can remember buying Sprint donuts from them, back at the same time you bought the headers.

Roger

The Jim Lissner/Dave Bean partnersip was a difficult one, as time went on. Early to mid 70's, I used to make runs to El Segundo for parts for my friend's race prep shop. Nothing was said to me at the shop, but the tension was thick. They split up about 1976/77 I liked them both and bought from both of them when I first bought my Elan in '79.

Of course, a trip to Manhattan Beach Imported Cars (Bob Challman) was often an experience as well. If he didn't like you, he'd toss you from his dealership! Dave Bean told us the story how he was tossed by Challman (not worthy of a Lotus) as a young graduate engineer. Fast forward 20 years and who walks into Bean's dealership in Santa Barbara? Challman! Dave told Challman to "get the hell out of my dealership!" and recounted the story. They had a good laugh over it.

Equal Length 4 into 1 Headers on an Elan are a challenge. Not enough space behind the motor mount so they must go in front of the motor mount which displaces the generator or alternator.

Good stuff, Clark. I bought a fair amount from RRS back in the day, never knew about the Bean partnership.

Sweet looking headers!