DHC Elan

[PWTrusty]

Hello,
My +2 project is close to being finished. My wife sold her Miata about the time I sold my last Europa and we both miss the bugs in your eyes experience of a DHC. The plan is the first qtr of 09 to start shopping for a nice DHC hopefully in the south east US. Anyone care to make any recommendations about year /series? I have owned 3 Europas a +2 and very briefly a Baby Elan in 1974. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Phil in Tennessee

[Elanintheforest]

Well, Phil, you?re going to be recommended each model by owners of that model! There?s a few trade-offs to consider.

The S1 / S2 has the kudos of being the original of course, but some may not like it for the simple dash, the pull-up and fall-down windows, and the top you have to construct from a kit of parts when it starts raining. Oh, and the trunk lid that is designed to allow maximum amount of water into the trunk, and of course, the rubber elephant skin carpets. On the other hand, they have the best fitting panels of all Elans, many have the close-ratio gearbox, and they are now quite rare and command the highest prices.

The S3 is a lot more refined, with a well laid out dash, electric windows, and the trunk lid sorted. It still has the delicate wheel arches and the switch gear that may stab you in an accident. Some folks don?t like the side window frames which are still there when the roof is down, but getting the top up and down is simple and quick.

The S4 had to have squared out arches to accommodate the slightly wider rubber, and rocker switches. In the US, you probably loose the Webers here as well. The Sprint is much the same as the S4 except for a fancy two-tone paint job and a little more power, and with the opposite kudos to the S1?last of the line.

As for power, the model doesn?t really matter. Most engines have been modified to some extent, and all are capable of running 140bhp very comfortably as a road car. They all have very similar seats, suspension, steering and brakes, and each can be upgraded.

For me, I guess the S3 is the ultimate development of the Elan. The later cars were compromised by safety regulations, the early cars had some very crude bits. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Mark

[jmesh]

Mark certainly knows his Elans and it just so happens I have a very nice 1967 S3 DHC for sale!

Please contact me if you'd like more information.

Jason
303-475-4734

[Frank Howard]

The S3...still has the...switch gear that may stab you in an accident.

The S4 had to have...rocker switches.

For me, I guess the S3 is the ultimate development of the Elan. The later cars were compromised by safety regulations...

Mark,

You wouldn't happen to own an S3 would you?

[ppnelan]

I agree with Mark:

S1/S2 = basic model with many 'quirks', loved by some & hated by others.
S3 = fully developed to (try to!) eliminate problems identified by customer feedback.
S4 = marketing/safety/cost reduction exercise to try to keep sales going...

In the US, perhaps an S3 Super Safety would be the ultimate version?
I have a running S4 dhc and an S3 fhc 'project' i.e. kit of bits...

Good hunting...
Matthew

[trw99]

OK - guess which model I recommend?

Tim

[Elanintheforest]

Frank, I?ll come clean as yes, I do have a S3 Coupe which I?ve had for well over 30 years now. But to balance up the argument, I also have an S2 project and a pair of S4 dhcs. And I love ?em all!

The noticeable differences between the models are really quite small. There is no ugly car, or heavy car, or slow car, so it?s really about aesthetics, and they just demonstrate a slow evolution from S1 to Sprint. The step change, such as it is, is the S2 to S3, where the doors, door furniture, top and trunk lid were ?improved?.

I?ve been having a lot of fun finding out about the detail of the S2 in the areas that were changed for the S3, as there is very little written about them. Even Mr Buckland?s fine book skims over the S1 and S2 in the sort of detail you need for restoration. So the fun with Elans continues.

Tennessee to Colorado looks like a fun drive on the map, Phil! I?m sure it could be done in a day, one way, even with a trailer on the back!!

Mark

[Jon Eckman]

Hi Phil,

I had a '66 S2 back in the early 70's that I used as a daily driver for 10 years. Lucas jokes aside, it was a remarkably reliable car. Sold it when I got married back then and was determined that if I ever had the chance to get another Elan it would be an S3 for many of the reasons already mentioned. Well I got that chance and have had an S3 for about 6 years now (pleasure use only these days) and it still brings a smile to my face every time I get in it.

Happy hunting,
Jon

[Frank Howard]

Mark,

I just found it amusing that you pointed out the dangers of toggle switches and then you pointed out the safety regulation "compromises" of the S4 such as rockers. All in good fun!

[PWTrusty]

Hello all
Thank you for the prompt and thoughtful comments. Guess it must be the sound of a well sorted out twin cam. My first Europa was the R-1600, traded it for an Twink and had at least one ever since. I suspect the S3 DHC is in the offering just after the first of the year. May well take that long to find a clean example in this part of the world. Colorado is only 1200 miles from here but I did first met my wife in Colorado Springs. Next week will be helping a friend pickup his Morgan.

Hope to see you at the next LOG
Phil in Tennessee

[elansprint71]

I recommend a BMW Z3M.

[jimj]

Pete,
Self proclaimed "El Presidente" then yesterday you told us that the MOT man called you "Jesus". Today you recommend a Z3M over an Elan. Clearly your ming is clogged.
Jim

[rkneeland]

Hi

First post...

I'll be listing an early S2 (three tail light) shortly. Non-origional...Mk II motor, alternator, 5.5 inch Revolutions, electric fan, K&N Air Filter box, rear sway bar, good, not great, two part urethane paint (VW Yellow)...

All stuff that makes it more liveable/fun but less origional.

Car looks and runs great, but is not a Pebble Beach car. To drive and enjoy...YES!!!

Door seals not sorted out. So dry weather only or scuba gear required.

It'll be on E-Bay shortly.

Rob

[rkneeland]

Did I say first post?? Not true. I did ask for assistance with the door seals.

[twincamman]

wellllll I currently own a super 7 a 1964 elan 26r s2 33 a 70 Europa s2 0576Rand a 61 bug eye sprite ----of them all---the elan does what the 7 does but with more panache the europa is a formula car for the street ---but being black is an undrivable oven from June till Sept in the day time and the most reliable and fun to drive at any time is ------THE SPRITE --- -ed