Elan Sprint in kit form

[PeterDraper]

we were disscussing at our last Suffolk meeting in what kit component form was the Elan delivered from the factory ready for assembley
We would like to know.
Peter Draper

[Elanintheforest]

I think that the advert says it all, Peter.
Mark

[Frank Howard]

Don't you just love it that the guy simply removed his sport jacket and did the whole thing in his dress pants, tie, and white shirt?

[cliveyboy]

And when finished, drove it to the pub for a few celebration drinks.

Those innocent bygone days

Cliveyboy

[garyeanderson]

Every Car that Lotus ever built was a kit, its just that some pieces were assembled to make sure all the pieces were there, bolts put on finger tight and others were thrown into a box. I am not sure what the real question is, the Elan kit was a tax dodge, Lotus was three seperate companies, Lotus Cars, Lotus Components and Team Lotus. You bought a chassis/body from one company and the engine and gearbox from another. In this guise there was no purchase tax. This amounted to around 30% of the vehicle. As far as I am aware, the Sprint was after this time period and there was no savings on an unassembled Elan. This is a loose explanation, someone can fill in the particulars better than I.

Gary

[1964 S1]

As we're headed into history bend, how many Lotus types were available in kit form in 1968 ? What year had the most types available in kit form ?

[264889socal]

Can't speak to the Elan, but I bought a S7 in kit form in 1964, in Hong Kong, from Navy Auto Sales while on a WESTPAC cruise. Set up delivery for after I was discharged from the Navy. The whole thing got stuck in a dock strike in England and when the kit finally arrived at the port in Long Beach, it was in two crates. The engine and transmission, bolted together, in one crate and the rest of the bits and pieces in another crate. The chassis was bare except for the dash and wiring in place. The hood and nose section was fitted, but everything else was loose or bolted to the crate. Biggest challenge was all of the fasteners were in two cloth tobaco sacks. Sorting out all the bolts, screws, washers, nuts, split pins, clevis pins, top fasteners, etc. out of a big pile was an excercise. Lots of time going through the parts book and determining which fastener went with which application, then bagging and noting the application

Cost wise, if memory serves me, it was about $2300.00 delivered to Long Beach. US duty was less than $150.00. This was with a Cosworth 1500, close ration transmission, roll bar and heater, and all weather equipment. Fits right in with the 289 Shelby Cobra I bought in 1966 for $3800.00....sigh...

Rob Walker

[sk178ta]

Sprints were in production from `71 and I bought one in kit form at the end of March `73 as Vat was introduced April 1st 1973 abolishing purchase tax and the loop hole savings. So many in the Uk had been kits that production subsequently fizzled out.
Jim

[elansprint71]

Page 25 in the Robinson & Ross book (yellow edition, not the one with the +2) shows an S3 kit. I'll hold it up to my screen so you can see it.........

..... there, looks like it is put all together except:
radiator, engine/gearbox, front btakes, anti-roll bar, battery, propshaft, rad hose, exhaust and wheels.

Cheers,
Pete.

[elansprint71]

Hey........... I just got my coveted fifth gear: drinks all round on me

[types26/36]

drinks all round on me

Well welcome to the club Pete ........I"ll have a scotch & soda ...thanks

[elansprint71]

Cheers; Brian.

Next round's on Mr Gush.