Help 1967 Lotus Elan SE

[Tmac897]

I actually own a 1967 S3SE that was coincedentally "stored" for 40 years. Now mine was a different situation, in that I had started a full restoration (don't ask me why!) back in the day, so it was actually stored in pieces, in several different locations, for 40 years. For some reason, the engine block wound up in a chicken coop -- I kid you not! -- in Manchester, NJ. Other subsections were stored at varying levels of exposure. It was not pretty.

I started, or RE-started my restoration about a year ago. A pretty fair amount of the car was still salvageable. The engine block, crank, and flywheel were all still good. The chassis was sound. I had all the suspension parts. The transmission was still in excellent shape. The body is pretty rough, and outside of cleaning that up I haven't done too much on that area. I had to replace the head, cams, valves, etc. I'm currently up to about $7,000 in parts and expenses. So far, other than sandblasting and machine shop work, I've been able to do everything myself. I was surprised that most parts are readily available. Some are still being manufactured. I was able to purchase a new cylinder head from Dave Bean Engineering here in the US, and there are at least two sources for them in the UK.

It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. The S3 SE is a beautiful car to look at, and a quite fun to drive. A lot of other people have given you figures for restoration, but I'm not sure anyone has given you a figure to support an an offer that you would make. If the head is intact, that part alone is worth $1800, without cams, valves, etc. Probably at least $2500 with. If the body is intact, that's worth quite a bit also. A block is probably worth $400. The crank is probably worth $600 (perhaps more, if it's a 6 bolt crank), and connecting rods are probably worth $125 each. I had a spare transmission that I sold for $350 to another member of this board. It's hard to imagine that those things are not salvageable, given the conditions from which mine was resurrected.

I believe that you would be safe offering somewhere in the $3500-5000 range on salvage value alone. If you have any questions or would just like to talk to someone about your project, PM me and I'll send you my contact info.

Best,
Tony

[paw140]

I was in a similar situation about 1 years ago… a friend was moving from Pennsylvania to Florida and asked me if I wanted to buy his 1969 S4. He had bought it in the mid 70’s, and sometime around 1980 he broke the timing chain and it had been sitting ever since. About 10 years ago he decided to start to restore it and took everything apart. Interior, dash, engine, etc. I decided to buy it and paid $3500. I think I got a good deal, but honestly it was hard to tell at the time because everything was in boxes, on random shelves, etc. Everything is in pretty decent shape and it has been stored in a dry garage. 39,000 original miles. It’s been a fun project so far and now I have it to the point where I’ve been able to drive out around the neighborhood, but still working out a few bugs. I’ve just ordered a new set of tires and plan to do an alignment before winter fully sets in. Good luck with your project, should you choose to buy it!

[Tmac897]

I believe that you would be safe offering somewhere in the $3500-5000 range on salvage value alone. If you have any questions or would just like to talk to someone about your project, PM me and I'll send you my contact info.

Best,
Tony

Just to avoid any potential misunderstandings, I’m certainly not advocating that you buy it and “part it out.” “Thou shalt not destroy an Elan” is actually the 11th Commandment. It just didn’t fit on the tablet at the time…

With the new post after my original, $3500 seems like a fair price for an Elan in major disrepair. If you’re not going to take the plunge, there are definitely others looking for cars to buy on this forum, so please tell your friend to post it here.

Best,
Tony

[Elanintheforest]

I haven't seen a project Elan for sale in the UK over the past 10 years for less than £10k, with most a bit more than that. I have just fully re-furbished a DHC that was stood for 35 years for around £20k, doing the work myself, but that didn't include paint which it doesn't need....well, kind-of doesn't need!

I'm up in Gloucester so if you want the car looking over when it's been revealed I'm happy to pop down. For the avoidance of doubt I'm not interested in buying it, as I'm just starting the renovation of my other Elan, and two is enough!

Mark Kempson

[Frampty]

Good evening
Thankyou to all people who posted a reply to my question.
I have come to a conclusion that the state of the 1967 Lotus elan SE is probably a little too much for me to handle.
I am in my 70s and the days of me clambering on the floor under a car are behind me.
Regards to all.

[RichardHawkins]

Frampty,

I am also in my 70’s and started my restoration after retirement. I think that at our age you need a good 10 years to restore such a car. I recognise that we all age at different rates, and have different activity levels. I certainly do not have the energy to start another restoration.

I hope this helps

Richard Hawkins

[sprintsoft]

Hi Frampty,

You’ve got Brian Buckland (Elanman) living near you in Bristol, I know he would help you if you got stuck on anything.

Otherwise, please encourage your friend to post it for sale on here, it would surely go to a good home and maybe we all get to see the renovation?

Cheers
Iain

[rjlee45]

I bought my 1967 S3 in Toronto in 1985. After a year or so running it, various little problems started me down the rabbit hole to Elan-in-Wonderland. After totally dissembling the car over some time, carefully labelling little bits and bags with non-permanent ink on non-sticky labels, we moved 19 years ago to Vancouver. Now, following retirement, and lots of assistance with engine, body, bits and a new galvanised chassis, and six years and loadsa money, I have my beautiful 45/6397 back on the road. Yes, in an ideal world, it might have been better to have bought a pristine one all those years ago, but it has been, and still is, great fun. Regrets, I've had a few, too few to mention.........

Richard

[Mazzini]

I bought my 1967 S3 in Toronto in 1985. After a year or so running it, various little problems started me down the rabbit hole to Elan-in-Wonderland. After totally dissembling the car over some time, carefully labelling little bits and bags with non-permanent ink on non-sticky labels, we moved 19 years ago to Vancouver. Now, following retirement, and lots of assistance with engine, body, bits and a new galvanised chassis, and six years and loadsa money, I have my beautiful 45/6397 back on the road. Yes, in an ideal world, it might have been better to have bought a pristine one all those years ago, but it has been, and still is, great fun. Regrets, I've had a few, too few to mention.........

Richard

But you did it your way

Welcome to the forum.