Malta Elan

[jabingb]

Wasn't fast enough with the camera but as we passed a corner in Mosta this morning on the bus to Palazzo Parisio, I spotted very briefly what I think was a yellow S3/4 DHC with plex headlight covers rather than buckets. Any idea who this is/was? Jerry

[vxah]

I would think the car is there for the ?Mdina Grand Prix? ?
It?s on next weekend, they close some roads of to the public traffic and use it as a race circuit! Went last year and it was pretty good apart from the rain! I remember a yellow Elan race car that competed, the driver had something to do with one of the uk Lotus parts suppliers but I cannot remember which!

[types26/36]

I could be wrong but I heard Pat Thomas ex Kelvedon Lotus (Kelsport)) has a home in Malta and keeps an Elan there.

[vxah]

That?s him yes! Had a little chat with him..

[vxah]

This one?

[jabingb]

Yes, that appears to be the one, thanks for the id. Wish I could have met him, heard good things about his business.

[vxah]

[maltese falcon]

First time I post here. Yes, it's my friend Pat Thomas's Elan. It's got a lot of 26R inspired mods with a warmed over engine because he still uses it on the road. Pat sold his Lotus business not long ago. He supplied me with a lot of parts for my own project, a 1966 S2. This particular car was the first Elan on the Island and which I used to lust for way before I even had a driving licence. It competed with some success in local events in the early 70's and so is a great candidate with local pedigree for the Malta Classic GP which is held here annually. The car is being rebuilt (it was in a pitiful state) with this competition in mind and upgraded with the usual mods within reasonable budget constraints. I firmly believe a full blown 26r inspired Elan could win the event. Pat and his other friends race it just to enjoy themselves as competition especially by the Maltese drivers can get really hot. One such tussle was between an english entered BDA Escort and a local pushrod Escort. The guts and sheer skill of the local driver won the day to the joy of the local enthusiasts. The 2015 event was won by an Italian entered Lotus 23B.

[alan.barker]

There was also a Plus Two 130 in the car Museum i Malta maybe 12 or more years ago. Plus 2 Lotus Cortinas.
Alan

[maltese falcon]

To my knowledge there are 5 'baby' Elans on the Island, mine being the oldest. One of these (an S4) is an all out modsports type racer (hillclimbs). There should also be 4 or 5, +2's and several Lotus Cortinas MK1's and 2's. A friend of mine owns a beautiful 23B besides an Europa Twincam in original John Player Special livery and a +2. Lucky guy!

[maltese falcon]

Here is my friend Pat Thomas thoroughly enjoying himself during last sunday's Malta Classic GP.