72 Sprint in South Africa? 30 years later!

[codliveroil]

Hi folks

Just retired and I am bored. So I got to thinking about my old Elan Sprint and how much I would appreciate it now 30 years later. So I'm getting the itch again.

Then I wondered if the love of my life (way back) was still alive and kicking, I was living in Jo'burg South Africa and bought my 72 Elan Sprint in 1978/9 from a lady, (possible name Henderson but can't be sure, living in Edenvale), I sold it in 1983/4 after getting married and needed the $$$ for a deposit on a house. (How dumb was that).

I don't have any numbers on the car except it was Black and Gold (JPS) but suspect it was originally Gold Leaf livery. Sorry thats not much to go on, but there were not many Sprints in SA so perhaps someone knows where it is now. Would be nice to know it is still burning rubber

Cheers Nigel

[types26/36]

Hi Nigel,
I lived in SA (Benoni/Boksburg) from 71 to 2002 and had a Sprint (not yours and still have it) but I don't remember a Black/Gold Sprint around at the time although I do remember a Black FHC in Durban but cant remember if it was a Sprint or just an S4.
I tried to buy it but it had no papers and we could not agree on a price (more fool me )
Can you remember any more details.....reg? name who you sold to etc.
I am still in contact with friends who keep records and could make some inquires but a lot of cars were exported in those years due to the economic times.

[codliveroil]

Brian


I only remember selling the car to a young Jewish lad but can't recall his name. I kept no records, I have a couple of photos back home, when we get home in 2 weeks time I will dig them out and see if I can see the reg number, BWS rings a bell and it would have had a T on the end for Traansvaal. but can't be 100% sure on that. I kept a photocopy (100s of pages) of the workshop manual until about 8 years ago then when I moved I chucked it because I saw you could get them on line.

[stugilmour]

Welcome aboard Nigel. Maybe this one would take care of that itch...

elan-for-sale-f2/dhc-canada-t26823.html

[types26/36]

Hi Nigel,
The reg probably would not help now anyway as SA has changed the number plate format a couple of times when they went to the reflective and computerized number plates, there are no more ?T? (Transvaal) plates and what was Transvaal is now Gauteng with a GP on the plate.
Was your car a fixed head or a drop head?

[codliveroil]

Hi Nigel,
The reg probably would not help now anyway as SA has changed the number plate format a couple of times when they went to the reflective and computerized number plates, there are no more ?T? (Transvaal) plates and what was Transvaal is now Gauteng with a GP on the plate.
Was your car a fixed head or a drop head?

It was a Coupe pronounced the French way I say this because here in the good old USA on their US rendition of Top Gear they pronounce "Coupe" as Coop (as in chicken coop), I mean really! Clarkson would have a fit

Having a Black Coupe without aircon in the Transvaal summers it tended to get a bit hot in there, hey but at that age it didn't matter, I drove without shoes and as fast as I could from A to B. Those were the days, sigh!

[codliveroil]

Welcome aboard Nigel. Maybe this one would take care of that itch...

elan-for-sale-f2/dhc-canada-t26823.html

Thanks Stu, its now on Autotrader for $23000. Out of my league I just bought a boat the DW will kill me, I must look for a project car preferably a Sprint.

How are the temps in Calgary right now, I'll bet its not top down driving, lol.

[stugilmour]

It was down to -20 degrees C this week, but warmed up to above freezing today. Biggest bummer is over a foot of snow this week, so car is tucked away.

Will keep an eye for a project car. Consider coming out to the ABFM at VanDusen in May; hoping to make it down again.

[codliveroil]

What is ABFM at VanDusen in May ?????

[trw99]

Hi Nigel

I am aware of only 4 Sprints left in SA, 3 FHCs and 1 DHC. One of the FHCs was originally Gold Leaf and I have the names of some of the previous owners.

Once you are back home, please drop me a PM or email and we'll see if we can track the car down for you.

Tim

[codliveroil]

What is ABFM at VanDusen in May ?????

Got it, All British Field Meet at the Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, I will definately go to that, we are on Sunshine Coast so just a ferry ride.

[codliveroil]

Hi Nigel

I am aware of only 4 Sprints left in SA, 3 FHCs and 1 DHC. One of the FHCs was originally Gold Leaf and I have the names of some of the previous owners.

Once you are back home, please drop me a PM or email and we'll see if we can track the car down for you.

Tim

Many thanks will do, should be home in 2 weeks, I'll get to the photos and post some pics of my ex baby. The only reason I suspected that it wa originally gold leaf was when I took the door panel off to fix the electric window motor and could see the red and white somewhere inside there.

[codliveroil]

That was a long 2 weeks, anyway here it is, not the best picture but its all I have. It would be good to know who has this car now.