My first elan

[philbirch]

Hi everyone I’ve just bought my first elan, I traded in my gorgeous R300 Superlight for the series 4 from UK Sports Cars this one https://www.uksportscars.com/view/lotus ... SIXmFovcK0 the question who do you considered the best company for insurance

Regards phil

[JonB]

I'm using Lancaster Insurance. £100 comprehensive with breakdown cover included.

Nice Elan!

[philbirch]

Thanks jonb I’ve applied to them for a quote,
Phil

[ericbushby]

Hi Phil.
I use Routen Chaplin, the manager/organiser is a Lotus Elan fan.
Just a suggestion, are you in a car club. Club lotus cheshire branch have meetings once a month and have an active social calendar.
Also lancs/Merseyside hold meetings near Preston which may be useful. Several Elans there including mine.
Your car looks beautiful, maybe I will see it sometime.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[saildrive2001]

Congratulations Phil, you will enjoy it. I am curious, what is the blue hose/wire that comes from near the windshield washer bottle & over the engine down between the carbs?

[elansprint71]

Phil,
Check out Hagerty, I'm insured with Hiscox via them for both my Elans; Hagerty are great folks, real enthusiasts.

[richardcox_lotus]

Congratulations Phil, you will enjoy it. I am curious, what is the blue hose/wire that comes from near the windshield washer bottle & over the engine down between the carbs?

This sounds mad but it looks like the coil might have been relocated ? Maybe the washer pump is now below the passenger side bonnet catch.

Nice car nonetheless

Regards
Richard

[pharriso]

Yes, the Coil has been re-located - maybe for fire safety, the original position below the carbs is dodgy at best

Nice car, enjoy it!

[SENC]

Congratulations, and welcome!!

[Andy8421]

Phil,

Car looks great. Common mistake by paint shops not used to Elans is to miss painting the bottom of the sill black. If you have a look at pictures of Elans on the web, most have been correctly painted, but a number have been missed. There have been suggestions that the Elan looks better without, I personally prefer the black line along the bottom.

Its not a long job with some masking and an aerosol (or brush) if you are aiming for originality.

Welcome to Elan ownership.

[philbirch]

Thanks for all the replies, the cable around the carbs is a Heath Robinson invention to hold the accelerator cable in place, I’m sure there’s something better than this, that’s if it’s really necessary, my intentions are to gradually improve the car over time The position of the coil is quite possibly because the car has electronic ignition, there’s a drawing in the box file that came with the car, this details the wiring of the Lucas system, maybe I should carry a set of points and condenser for emergencies.i know the car quite original and there are areas that can be improved if you could point these area out I would appreciate that

Thanks again Phil

[types26/36]

i know the car quite original and there are areas that can be improved if you could point these area out I would appreciate that Phil

No criticism intended as the car looks really nice although it does appear to have an S3 boot handle. I have seen a very late S3 with a S4 boot handle but I have not seen the S4 with S3 fittings but after all its a Lotus and as you will find out nothing is written in stone

[saildrive2001]

Do not change the boot handle, my car came with the same handle & they are no longer available.

[Famous Frank]

Phil,

Congratulations! That is a very smart looking Elan. You will not be disappointed. We would al lbe proud to drive that vehicle.

All the best,
Frank

[512BB]

philbirch wrote:
'I know the car [is] quite original and there are areas that can be improved if you could point these area out I would appreciate that'

One of your priorities should be to fit the secondary door seals Phil, otherwise you are not going to be able to wash the car without getting the carpets wet. Obviously you are not going to take it out in the rain I do not know what sort of deal you did with KSC, but maybe they should fit them, as they are rather important.

Enjoy Elan ownership.

Leslie