Drove an Elan

[DJThom]

last night I drove an Elan for the very first time. Actually, it was only the second time I've even sat in a moving elan. Pretty awesome!

The best part is that it was MY Elan.

Still a work in progress, but all the essentials done. Pictures to follow...when I get a chance to clean it up...

[frearther]

Congratulations. Ain't it a blast?

[Otto]

AAah can remember the feeling...my first ride home from Sweden to Denmark, two years ago (Aprox) ...and last weekend i won a "most beautiful car award" at a Steve Mqueen memorial rally. I was up against Aston martin, E-type, Triumph tr6, Porsche 912, Jag mkII etc.... MMMM lovely!
This, for me, new world of Lotus have been a great experience...hope for you that you just keep on laughing and blasting!
O2

[1964 S1]

Welcome to the world of one of the best kept automotive secrets. Wait 'til you get accustomed to it and start throwing it around! Considering their age, they're nearly unbelieveable.

[rgwitherell]

Congratulations Darren and enjoy it!

Unfortunately mine is a long way from getting on the road again. I am now struggling with putting the rear suspension together.

Bob

[type36lotus]

Congratulations. When I first drove an Elan it was my Elan's first run under her own power in 20+ years. I was the first time I had EVER even been in a Elan (excepting when it was all in peices) I think the Elan was smiling as much as I was! Now, just wait till you get to throw it around the curves a bit, then the fun really begins.

[twincamman]

good for you ---now the circle of confidence begins --short block --longer and longer blocks till something falls off or fails [ the throttle cable in my case ]-- so circle is is back to 2 blocks and the carrying of wrenches and such -- -but when elans work its the most fun you can have with your clothing on -ed

[DJThom]

And yes, the circle of confidence is pretty tight. It turns out one should tighten all 4 and not just 3 of their knock-offs...

[twincamman]

ever nice ---any 1964 plate I have found was a snowmobile number and could not be reissued as a car ------any tips ??? ed

[DJThom]

Ed,

I really like the "year of manufacture" plates or YOM as it's known, especially since the plate is so prominent on an Elan.

Here's a good overall resource

http://www.licenseplates.cc/links.php

this is where I got mine, he guarantees a pass else money back (and you can call the MTO before you buy to verify anyway). No '64 plates posted, but he's friendly and I'd ask for pointers (these guys all know each other)

http://www.licenseplates4collectors.com/Tim.html

Another good guy, but he couldn't help me out at the time I was looking

http://www3.sympatico.ca/upton/backbump/yom.html

[SADLOTUS]

What a beaut!

Two questions:
What's the rear box? standard S1/2/3 transverse?
Where did the carb airbox tube come from?

Ta verily

[type36lotus]

If you did your first ride with the bonnet on you were braver than I. I had mine off, fire extinguisher handy! I wanted to see if anything was on fire as soon as possible.

[DJThom]

Transverse? can you pls clarify the Question? The "ducting" came from Dave Bean. It looks good.

And no, my first drive was without bonnet. I had run it quite a bit upon jackstands before I ventured out. Lots and lots of leak checks!

[SADLOTUS]

Transverse.... my name for the silencer that goes across the back of the car under the boot floor in the recess, instead of straight thru from front to back.

[DJThom]

Ahhh, I see. I have no transverse. Just a straight 2 1/4" stainless pipe right from the headers. I'll have to see what it's like in actual driving before I decide to cut and weld any baffles in to quit it down. So far I like it.