Looking for owner of Elan #17..to their advantage!

[types26/36]

Does anyone on the forum own or know who owns the green S1 Elan pictured in the David Hodges book "LOTUS the Legend"
According to the book quote: "This is believed to be the first production Elan (26/0017) sold by Lotus in January 1963"
The car used to be in South Africa and owned by a guy called Chapman!...... YES! Chapman! it was exported to the U.K. in the nineties and then sold by one of the classic auction houses.....Coys? Brookes?
I heard it had gone to Japan but not sure.
A few years ago I acquired a few old parts from when it was rebuilt and with them a body plate S.BOURNE # 14 and presume it is for this car.
It is generally accepted that the Bourne body plate did not match the chassis number by a few numbers and I would like to see the plate go to its rightful place.
If the owner wants to contact me I am willing to pass it on.

[garyeanderson]

Does anyone on the forum own or know who owns the green S1 Elan pictured in the David Hodges book "LOTUS the Legend"
According to the book quote: "This is believed to be the first production Elan (26/0017) sold by Lotus in January 1963"
The car used to be in South Africa and owned by a guy called Chapman!...... YES! Chapman! it was exported to the U.K. in the nineties and then sold by one of the classic auction houses.....Coys? Brookes?
I heard it had gone to Japan but not sure.
A few years ago I acquired a few old parts from when it was rebuilt and with them a body plate S.BOURNE # 14 and presume it is for this car.
It is generally accepted that the Bourne body plate did not match the chassis number by a few numbers and I would like to see the plate go to its rightful place.
If the owner wants to contact me I am willing to pass it on.

Tim Mentioned this Elan in his posthttp://www.lotuselan.net/forums/fre ... ml#p155361
and quotes this "first" elan sold. My info has it invoiced 22 March 1963 as the 15th invoiced. whos right, I don't have a clue.

Gary

[trw99]

Well, Mr Richard Foster bought the car new, but I don't suppose he reads this forum!

Tim

[types26/36]

For anyone interested and to bring this thread to a conclusion, the Bourne Plate # 26/0014 that I acquired while living in S.Africa has finally been reunited with Elan 26/017.
Through the tireless efforts of one of the forum members and his wife (who is a journalist in Japan) the car was eventually traced to a Mr Honda of Okazaki City in Japan who has turned it into a 26R clone to race.
He was unaware that it is such an early car and is now considering returning it to standard specification as he kept all the parts he had changed.
Here are a few pictures of Mr Honda and 26/0017 receiving the plate from Aya (our forum members wife)

[trw99]

Brian

Great news and thanks so much for all your efforts and for posting the photos.

It would be splendid to see some more of our Japanese Elan enthusiasts on the forum here.

Tim

[DeanG]

A very nice looking car. I'm glad that the search worked out.