Reunited with my Elan after 47 years.

[dpchamp87]

Looks terrific, we’ll done and enjoy using it

Thanks!

[dpchamp87]

It must be spine tingling to drive again after all this time. Well done!
Richard

Is is an emotional experience indeed. Doesn't seem as fast as it did in 1973 but thats not really surprising as any family saloon is faster the an Elan these days.

[dpchamp87]

Lovely job, and a nice story.

RHD in the USA ??

Apart from the obvious inconvenience of RHD, are there problems with vehicle registration/insurance etc., in US? I’d assumed it was pretty much ok.
Malcolm

Piece of cake in Florida. The DMV guy comes to your house and inspects the VIN, gives you a certificate and you go to the licensing office with your check and 10 minutes later you are legal.

[dpchamp87]

Apart from the obvious inconvenience of RHD, are there problems with vehicle registration/insurance etc., in US? I’d assumed it was pretty much ok.
Malcolm

It's a none issue for registration/insurance in experience. I don't think they even ask or care.

It's not much of an issue for driving either.

Agree on both counts.

[dpchamp87]

What a fabulous looking car-you must be properly chuffed! Congrats and thanks for sharing-please let us know how it drives too. Cheers.

Mark Whitaker
69 Elan S4 DHC
45/8396

Thanks Mark. It drives very nicely. Still trying to get the Strombergs absolutely perfect but they are very close.

[dpchamp87]

Nice job, Looks great.

Will you leave it in Florida? Two of my Elans are with me in Florida, but later this year one will go back to Ohio.

Roger

Thanks Roger. I will take it back to Connecticut. The roads there are more suited to Elan motoring.

[mwhitaker]

I think the FHC Elans look great too, especially in white. When driving my dad's 71 Lotus yellow FHC back in the day, I always wanted the DHC but the FHCs are nicer to drive and the Strombergs were relatively trouble free, providing lots of low end torque . Good luck with your Strombergs- i have forgotten what little I knew about them while mucking about with my own Weber 45DCOEs!

Mark Whitaker
69 Elan DHC
45/8396

[dpchamp87]

I think the FHC Elans look great too, especially in white. When driving my dad's 71 Lotus yellow FHC back in the day, I always wanted the DHC but the FHCs are nicer to drive and the Strombergs were relatively trouble free, providing lots of low end torque . Good luck with your Strombergs- i have forgotten what little I knew about them while mucking about with my own Weber 45DCOEs!

Mark Whitaker
69 Elan DHC
45/8396

Agree on the FHC comment. I have a DHC on Webers with a 3.9 diff and it is a very different car. Much more racy but less refined.
Got the Strombergs right this morning. 900 tickover and great throttle response. Mixture seems right from a quick look at the plugs and lifting the pistons but I will give the car a longer drive later in the week to make sure.
Now to make the headlight chrome surrounds fit better...

[mwhitaker]

Glad to hear it is running well. My car runs pretty well on the Webers but Strombergs are better down low- will probably decrease my aux choke size from 36-34mm when the carbs next come off and adjust jetting as needed to improve low end response. The prior owner did some mods to this I wouldn't have - larger 1700cc displacement, ported head/intake manifild, larger Webers, etc for top end shove . I would have left it relatively stock for driveability. Enjoy!

Mark
69 Elan S4 DHC
45/8396

[gino1]

Lovely story and nice job done!
Gino

[dpchamp87]

Lovely story and nice job done!
Gino

Thanks Gino!

[Wolfman]

Great story, beautiful Elan!

Question for the OP - I'm in a similar situation trying to bring an Elan over to California from the UK. Can you share the shipping logistics?

[The Veg]

Wow, beautiful!

[dpchamp87]

Great story, beautiful Elan!

Question for the OP - I'm in a similar situation trying to bring an Elan over to California from the UK. Can you share the shipping logistics?

Sent you a PM

David

[dpchamp87]

Wow, beautiful!

Thanks!