Value of unrestored Elan?

[fiatracer]

Hello. I've located a '63 Series 1 Elan DHC with 47K miles.
Has hardtop, but no softtop. Appears unmodified.
Typical 'barn' condition, but doesn't look beat or missing parts.
Body looks intact, and the dash isn't overly weathered.
Owner states it runs/drives, but I haven't made the 4-hr trip to see it.
I doesn't appear to have been registered for several years.
Have several pictures that I can email (sorry...no place to post 'em).
The owner said it's been in his family since new,
and that he thinks it's worth $20K. He may be inquiring in
California (at Dave Bean? or GGLC?) as to the value.

Sorry this isn't much to go on, but lacking a personal inspection
of the car, it's all I have at the moment. I'd sure appreciate
opinions on the value range of the car, assuming it checks out
mechanically...and if it doesn't.

I've surfed every Elan site, and have lurked on this list for
a few weeks, trying to get educated. Would $6000 be a fair price
if the car checks out?

Thank you for any insight you folks can share.
Mike Mittelstead/Oregon USA

[Unibrain]

Mike,

If the car is near perfect it would be worth $20k, if it is in need of
restoration $6k or less. I'm in the midst of restoring a car that
needed everything fixed and the stack of bills is amazing.

I'm in Portland, where are you and where is the car?.

--
Jim
www.unibrain.org/motorsports/elan


Mike Mittelstead wrote:

[lotusbob]

The latest "Cars of Particular Interest" Value Guide shows an S1
Convertible in excellent condition to be worth $19,000, good
condition to be worth $10,875, and fair condition to be $6,100.

Good luck.

Bob
1971 Elan S4 SE

[type36lotus]

My reference material says 6K in fair condition. I spent $12,000 on
the restoration my S3 Coupe'. Granted it was in parts and badly
weathered. I did the body and paint myself. Engine rebuilt
porfessionally ($2,200), Seats (new foam), door panels, crash pad
professionally re-upholstered ($1,000). Everything else was just
parts. If you have MS Word I can send you the complete list of the
work/parts/costs to the point I considered the restoreation
complete. I have since made a few changes and improvements of about
another $500+.

Mike G

--- In ***@***.***, "Mike Mittelstead" <gr8xtc@g...>
wrote:

[twincamman]

i spent 4000 for a basket case --- it turned out to be a 26 R -- but have spent 8000 in parts and a motor still have 1500 to spend [ it mayrun this weekend ] have put untold hours on it since jan 15 th so take it from there ed law
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Geiger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:13 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


My reference material says 6K in fair condition. I spent $12,000 on
the restoration my S3 Coupe'. Granted it was in parts and badly
weathered. I did the body and paint myself. Engine rebuilt
porfessionally ($2,200), Seats (new foam), door panels, crash pad
professionally re-upholstered ($1,000). Everything else was just
parts. If you have MS Word I can send you the complete list of the
work/parts/costs to the point I considered the restoreation
complete. I have since made a few changes and improvements of about
another $500+.

Mike G

--- In ***@***.***, "Mike Mittelstead" <gr8xtc@g...>
wrote:

[elj221c]

Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2

[twincamman]

oh well some times good things happen send youe email ill send you pics ed law
----- Original Message -----
From: elj221c
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2

[twincamman]

my wife only thinks i paid 1700 dont tell her otherwise ed
----- Original Message -----
From: elj221c
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2

[s2lola]

Ed,

I'll offer to triple your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiously,
Bill Tebbutt

-----Original Message-----
From: elj221c [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2













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[twincamman]

th story goes like this i decided to retire and wanted a project in the triad [a local buy and sell paper] was an ad ' lotus elan no motor no ownership 4000 ' and a phone number i answered same i had 2300 dollars hair cut and lunch money i was saving for a europa [ am i boring you?] so i left a deposit and begged a cheque to the sum of 1700 bucks from my wife much to her annoyance ['you have cars yatta yatta etc etc'] you know how women are about cars --- i wentback --counted the sum into the previous owners hands ---loaded the mess on a truck and drove home No nut was on any bolt or panel to its place now i own a 7 and thought i knew lotus WRONG these are more complex but with time and a thousand queastions its nearing completion The car was raced at mosport in 66 67 68 and disappeared till now and deserved to be reserected ed law
----- Original Message -----
From: elj221c
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2

[twincamman]

bill not yet i have to complete it and drive it at mosport but keep intpuch ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Tebbutt
To: '***@***.***'
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 1:46 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,

I'll offer to triple your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiously,
Bill Tebbutt

-----Original Message-----
From: elj221c [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2













***********************************************************************************
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the presente-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
***********************************************************************************

[racer417]

Just to throw my two cents in...

The hardtop, if original Lotus, is fairly rare. There are those that would pay $1,000 to $2000 for the top alone. The other point is that you can almost always buy a nicely restored car for less than it will cost you to do your own. The problem is that you'll have to find one done the way you want it, and be able to afford it.

Remember, the books are only a guide. They won't find and sell you a car for what they quote. A running and driving Series one with this mileage that has not been butchered is unusual. So you must base your purchase decision on two things:

What can I afford? and...Is this the car I really want? It will likely be a long-term commitment.

Don't buy a car solely based on price, and be sure you thoroughly inspect the car with someone who knows Elans to avoid surprises.

Good Luck!

Alan A
'67 S3 FHC and '72 Plus 2S

[twincamman]

bill how serious are you ? the wiring will hopefully be done this weekend the motor should be running next week the hardtop needs paint and a windscreen needs to be installed i have 12000 in it so far ed ----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Tebbutt
To: '***@***.***'
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 1:46 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,

I'll offer to triple your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiously,
Bill Tebbutt

-----Original Message-----
From: elj221c [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2













***********************************************************************************
Financiere Banque Nationale et NBCN n'assument aucune responsabilite quant a la confidentialite et l'integrite du present courriel en raison des risques d'interception inherents a l'Internet. Pour cette raison, toute opinion exprimee au terme des presentes ne reflete pas necessairement celle de Financiere Banque Nationale et de NBCN.
***********************************************************************************
Due to the security risks involved in sending information over the Internet, National Bank Financial and NBCN can not be held
responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the presente-mail. For this reason, the opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial and NBCN.
***********************************************************************************

[gobw2]

On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 12:48:42 -0400 "Ed Law" <***@***.***> writes:
oh well some times good things happen send youe email ill send
you pics ed law
----- Original Message -----
***@***.***ks

["henkmeijer"]

PLease sent me the pictures af your 26 R

Henk in France with S4 70
----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Law
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


oh well some times good things happen send youe email ill send you pics ed law
----- Original Message -----
From: elj221c
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 12:02 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: Value of unrestored Elan?


Ed,
How can you so casually throw out the line that you only paid 4000
for a 26R!
I would say that was the bargain of the century even if it was a
basket case!
Roy
'65 S2