New Member

[DHC S3]

Good evening,

I have just registered on this site as I am looking to purchase a Lotus Elan S3 DHC. I have been researching on the internet and am ready to start looking at cars. I am keeping an eye on Car and Classic, Pistons Heads and Auto Trader. Can anyone recommend any other sites or dealers to watch. So far a white S3 at Paul Matty Sports Cars has caught my eye. I don't suppose anyone knows anything about the history or the previous owner of this car? http://www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk/lotus-elan-dhc-s3/

As I do further research can anyone recommend any good books or websites for me to read. I have ordered Mick Millers catalogue and looked through the Tony Thompson Racing website.

Kind Regards, Chris.

[The Veg]

Welcome Chris! I can't give any UK-specific advice but others will no doubt be along any moment now. Best of luck finding the right car and we can't wait to see what you get!

[pabbage]

Hi - I'm sure there was a post on this car recently - the owner being active on this forum. Sounded like the car was a sound and useable example but perhaps not a show car.

[ericbushby]

Hi Chris and welcome,
You will find this forum invaluable for detailed information. The guys on here have helped me a lot with things I did not understand at the time.
I think you need a copy of the workshop manual and a copy of `The rebuilding of a Lotus Elan` by Brian Buckland`
I do not start anything without looking it up first in these two books.
The parts list is available here in the Wiki section.
Good luck searching for a suitable car and take your time. I looked at eight cars before buying mine.
The S3 DHC does not turn up often, but it is worth waiting for. Ebay has most of the cars in the UK listed.
That is where I found mine.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley
S3 DHC

[Paul Chapman]

Hello Chris
Welcome to the Forum, I endorse everything that Eric has said. The members here are a great crew and have a whole world of experience on every aspect of Elan ownership and they will be only to happy to offer genuine good advise. Good luck with your search for a suitable S3.

[DHC S3]

Good evening,

Many thanks to those of you that replied to my thread, it is greatly appreciated. I have lean't so much from this site already, safe to say 90% of my Elan knowledge has been gained from here. Although I clearly have much to learn, One such learning curve will be Webers, as currently I only have an SU background.

I very much look forward to Elan ownership and more than likely will reply of this site during my initial ownership. As soon as I have made my purchase then I will let you all know what I have got.

Kind Regards, Chris.

[Sploder90]

Hi Chris and welcome.

Fairly sure the white DHC at Matty's may belong to elanpeter on here.
Have seen it briefly while there getting parts for mine think it is on a Spyder frame.


Edit: scrub the last bit has have just seen the other post "is my elan a racing car" so you already have made contact with Peter..

Should be back at Matty's for more bits on Monday if you want any pics etc getting

Cheers
Mel

[martinbrowning]

Hi Chris,
Welcome to the Forum and, hopefully, to the wonderful world of Elan ownership - life will never be the same again!

Other books which I think you should consider are the Lotus Workshop Manual and the Lotus Elan Service Parts Book; both are available from Lotus parts suppliers so do not pay silly inflated prices on the auction sites.

Finally, the combined knowledge on this Forum is absolutely astounding. I have yet to pose a question or problem here that could not be answered.

Good luck with your search and if in doubt - ask. (There are no stupid questions!!)

Cheers,

Martin b

[Tmac897]

Hi Chris,

Welcome aboard! I'm a relatively new member myself, but can already attest to the knowledge of the members, and the priceless information contained in these "pages." I just recently began a full restoration of an S3 (SE) DHC here in the states, and would be nowhere near as far along without the help available and freely given here.

Best regards,
Tony