New 1963 S2 Owner

[Alpine_Ian]

Hi,

I've just obtained a '63 Elan. I'll be taking possesion of the car this weekend and look forward to beginning the restoration. I'm sure I will be getting much use out of this forum and look forward to getting to know those of you who have lots of experience to share with the Elan.

I have a lot of experience with LBC's mostly with Harrington Sunbeam Alpines & Land Rovers. This is my first Lotus and I plan to get to know this car from the ground up.

I'm sure I will have some real questions on parts, processes, and details after I begin the project, but now I have some more general questions like:

1.) This car was originally French Blue. Are paint samples or formulas available? Will it detract from the value of the car to change color? Is this a desirable color?

2.) Who are my best resources for parts?

That's all I have for now. I'll check back after I receive the car and have had a chance to browse this forum.

Thanks,

Ian Spencer

[steveww]

A good paint shop will be able to do original colours.

I guess from your use of "color" you are from over the pond? So my parts supplier suggestion will not be too local to you

IMHO - stay with original colours

[Alpine_Ian]

I'm in the USA. Thanks for the input... I'm all about keeping the French Blue, but it wouldn't be my pick if I were selecting from the show room floor!

Have paint colors been documented and are samples available... not just exterior body colors, but wheels, etc... I just want to make sure the details are correct.

[twincamman]

blue is a very stiking colour i would stay with it ed

[1964 S1]

Yes, I would keep it blue, too. I live in Cincy and have a white S1. I think the S1's only came in four colors, blue being one of them. Wheels were painted silver, with chrome hubcaps. Good Luck.

[Alpine_Ian]

Hey, someone in my neck of the woods. I'd love to check out your S1 sometime. Please contact me off list, I'd like to talk. - Ian

[type36lotus]

Ian,

I also vote for sticking with the original color, for no other reason than originality! My S3 was originally white, I repainted it BRG. About a year after completing the painting I found out the original owner used to race it frequently in the races that were held in the Bahamas. I feel like I lost some history

Mike Geiger

[elan1600]

Hi Ian

You describe your car as a '63 S2. Only the original 1600 (S1) was available in '63. This may make a difference to the color as the original blue was officially Medici Blue and probably the same as the blue offered on the original Elite. I know the original yellow is only listed in the UK as being available as a cellulose paint and not two pack. This was a Ford colour and it may be that your best bet for the original blue (if your car is indeed a '63 car) is through one of the Elite specialists in the UK. The seat colors would have been black, tan or red.

[Alpine_Ian]

Hi elan 1600,

I was wrong... my car is a '64 S2. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the color, but I just can't come to fall in love with the french blue. I had better decide soon though, my bodyman is waiting for me to get the body shell over to him.

[pereirac]

Hi,
Club Lotus in the UK produced an elan colour sheet many years ago (they may still do). No samples but just lists of colours used, years and original codes. I have a copy somewhere which I could probably scan and email to you if that help?

[Alpine_Ian]

This site has a list of colors and some examples. I noticed that a few of the names were the same as colors found on Sunbeam Alpines. Like: Carnival Red and Wedgewood Blue. I wonder if these were spot-on to the Sunbeam colors? I have formulas for the Sunbeam versions in modern paint.