Elan Flairs - the good the bad and some ugly ones

[lsdweb]

Front

[ripley]

What about these ones?

[RedS4]

Here's some REAL flares, Aussie style... This is actually an S1 with an S4 body that's very modified. It has had the same master for over 30 years and has never been road registered. The engine was built by Brian Hart.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Maybe I'm too dumb, but I cant see how that car could be called an S1 no matter how far you push your Tongue into your Cheek
Looks bleddy quick even in still Photos though; I'm a Fan.
Do you have any Data on the Hart Engine & the Suspension set up?

Cheers
John

[Elanintheforest]

Not so sure about them being Aussie style...this was Brit lack-of-style back in 1972

The guy bought the car new in 1970 for ?1500, then spent ?3000 creating this...thing. What would you prefer, this or 3 brand new Elans?!!

Mark

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

You've got to love it especially where he's placed his rear view Mirror; Les Leston almost certainly & the STP Stickers, a '70's must have.
That Engine must still be running fine with STP in it
Any Money on whether the Driver's wearing Flares as well?
Any Modsports Elans in your Photo Collection Mark?
They were real Beasties.

John

[Elanintheforest]

The only Modsports Elans pics I have are from the Auto magazine, Feb. 1972. It's a Sprint, and was super-light, despite still having a wood dash and a fair bit of trim. The shell had the minimum amount of glass fibre required to maintain its shape!

Not as extreme as the Modsports cars in the mid 70s, but just right.

Mark

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Oh yes I remember that one.
Many thanks Mark.

John

[Spyder fan]

I have been lurking on this thread for some time and have decided to put my head above the parapet now that I have got a feel for this Flares/Flairs thing. You can all tell from my user name that I'm no traditionalist, but frankly flared arches seem to be an Elan tradition if this thread is anything to go by. There are pictures from the 60's, 70's 80's 90's and even the Noughties and beyond all unashamedly displaying wide open arches stuffed full of chunky wheels and tyres.

My point is that this is obviously part of the history and ongoing scene, you may like it or hate it, but these cars are either out there or were out there and certain examples should be preserved and cherished, there's enough standard cars to keep everyone happy and preserve for the future, so lets ressurect some gooduns, badduns and some plain butt ugly ones for posterity and maybe build some new ones.

I vote for Mark Huffman's Yellow autocross Elan with Duratec power as my all time favourite. Power Bulges with engine power to match.
Definitely a car with SHOW & GO!!!

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Featured in the Video "The Classic Lotus Elan" is a very "hairy" Cosworth engined Elan.
The owner at the time was Pat Thomas.
I wonder what he does with it / has done with it?
Maybe someone has a Photo; which would be quite appropriate for this thread.

Cheers
John

[Old English White]

Featured in the Video "The Classic Lotus Elan" is a very "hairy" Cosworth engined Elan.
The owner at the time was Pat Thomas.
I wonder what he does with it / has done with it?
Maybe someone has a Photo; which would be quite appropriate for this thread.

Cheers
John

John ,
To have some news , why not ask Pat , seems that it is back on track ...
http://www.kelsport.net/news/story.asp? ... egory=News
Christian.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Featured in the Video "The Classic Lotus Elan" is a very "hairy" Cosworth engined Elan.
The owner at the time was Pat Thomas.
I wonder what he does with it / has done with it?
Maybe someone has a Photo; which would be quite appropriate for this thread.

Cheers
John

John ,
To have some news , why not ask Pat , seems that it is back on track ...
http://www.kelsport.net/news/story.asp? ... egory=News
Christian.

Hi Christian,

thanks for that Link it's quenched my thirst nicely.
It'll be fun to see the Car back on track for those lucky enough to do so.
Oh & the BRM Elan for sale looks nice.

Cheers
John

[elansprint71]

The only Modsports Elans pics I have are from the Auto magazine, Feb. 1972. It's a Sprint, and was super-light, despite still having a wood dash and a fair bit of trim. The shell had the minimum amount of glass fibre required to maintain its shape!

Not as extreme as the Modsports cars in the mid 70s, but just right.

Mark

My first Elan was a "JPS job", road version of "The Brode's" racer.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4407532116_9880a036d4_o.jpg

Where is it now?

[RedS4]

Looks bleddy quick even in still Photos though; I'm a Fan.
Do you have any Data on the Hart Engine & the Suspension set up?

Cheers
John

Here are some more pics - a few of the engine and one of the rear suspension and the diff.

I like the way the radiator has been moved well forward - so much room under the bonnet - and it looks like sliding splines are the way to go for faster diff removals...

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Those pictures have got me drooling again; thanks a lot.
It's amazing how they Shoehorned that Oil tank into the Engine Bay.
It must be one of the neatest dry Sump installations that I can remember in an Elan; everything in more or less one place & so keeping the Oil Hose runs as short as possible.
Possibly the biggest Oil Cooler that I've seen used on a Twin Cam also.
Very nice

Cheers
John