spyder v. original

[Elanconvert]

as a newboy to elan country, trying to evaluate these two;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lotus-elan-2- ... 1c36bc04fa
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-S4 ... 3cd5d5b3ee

is the difference in price due to +2 vs elan s4 dhc, or to the non-desirability [?] of a spyder chassis?

just interested...........
Fred

[billwill]

The high price he is asking for the S4 chassis is because he is including the VIN plate and the V5C registration document. From just a VIN plate and V5C on the shady edge of legal behaviour one could build up a whole car that is "already registered".


This seller apparently thinks the identity of an Elan is associated with its chassis; whereas in actuality it should be more associated with the body as the body is stronger than the chassis, or with the whole car. It's a bit grey, because if you retained most of an Elan, engine, suspension existing chassis etc you might change a badly damaged body and move the VIN plate over and get away with it without too much argument from DVLA

But it's a very very grey area when the whole car has been dismantled.

[Elanintheforest]

I don't think that the two offerings can be compared sensibly really, Fred. The Plus 2 chassis is complete with a lot of suspension and wheels, whilst the S4 chassis comes with an ID, ready for a similar car to be stolen and cloned.

I think that in general you will pick up a good chassis for a Plus 2 much cheaper than one in the same condition for a 2 seat Elan, mainly because so many Plus 2 cars have been broken for parts in the past few years. I can't remember when a 2 seat car was broken for parts.

But to answer your question, what's best, an original chassis or a Spyder chassis? It was the first question I asked when I came on here many years ago, and I got about 50% saying that the Spyder was best, and 50% saying that the original was best! And I would guess that the situation hasn't changed.

The engineer types would claim that the Spyder chassis is better made and has increased torsional rigidity, and is less prone to rust at the front end. Those for whom originality is very important will always opt for the original chassis. I've never felt any difference in a road car between the two, although some claim that the increased stiffness of the Spyder chassis makes the ride a little harsh.

You will nearly always find that the top-price showroom cars, restored to as original specification as possible, will have the original chassis fitted, as that's what 'collectors' want. But for a driving car in average condition, or a modified car, I can't see that it makes any difference.

Mark