Buying an Elan

[jmp]

Apologies if this topic has been covered a great deal but I am new to this forum and have not found anything in an archive at present. I am returning to baby elan ownership after many many years without one. I am planning to look at an S4 DHC this week and would appreciate help on what to look for and check when inspecting it. A pointer in the right direction would be much appreciated. Thanks John

[paddy]

Others will chime in with more information and more questions - but I think the first questions to ask is what kind of car you want to buy - one that's ready to drive or a project; how much work you can do yourself; whether you care about investment potential (or preservation of value at least) and originality; and how much your budget is.

There's a good summary of considerations and costs for a restoration project here:

post131668.html?hilit=%20window%20frame#p131668

Paddy

[jmp]

Thanks Paddy.
I'm able to do all of the work myself ( sounds big headed but not meant to be) including any fibreglass/gelcoat repairs and the respray. In recent years I have worked mainly on Morgans and the newer MGTF's. The reason I'm looking for an Elan again is that I fancy a change and have very fond memories of our last baby elan. As far as what I get the only criteria is a DHC and that link you gave me answered one question I was going to ask and that was identifying the original DHC chassis. On experience from Morgan purchase I will weight my offers on amount of work that needs doing. I suppose I have two extremes that I am looking for. A complete basket case but complete and preferably not dismantled. Dismantled not a problem if I know all the bits are there and there is a similar elan near enough to use as a reference. The one I am going to look at is supposedly mechanically sound with bills for a head rebuild and replacement suspension parts fitted. Gelcoat cracked and requiring a respray although reasonable enough to use at present. This is possibly the ideal type of vehicle as I could run it before taking it off the road and stripping it to do the bodywork. I would like to keep the car for a good length of time and possibly entice my daughter or wife to use it so would like to keep it as original as possible to ensure the investment side. If a complete basket case I would look to have it rebuilt over a two year period max depending on any interuption from other projects.

Thanks again John

[jimj]

Whereabouts are you? It could be that someone on here may offer to accompany you at the viewing, if you like.
Jim

[1964 S1]

Hi John,

What's a "baby" Elan? Are you inquiring about a pedal car?

Eric