My '69 Elan Restoration Project Has Disappeared

[sennafan61]

Help! Last fall I started to disassemble my '69 Elan S4 for a complete restoration. The bodyshell (minus doors, hood and trunk) was still attached to the frame, along with the bottom half of the motor, gearbox, driveshaft and diff. Just about everything else had been removed from the car. The Elan was stored at my cousin's shop in an industrial building in Anaheim, California. In November he decided to move his business to another location. Sometime during the week after Thanksgiving one of the movers accidentally left the Elan parked outside overnight. It was gone the next day. At first I thought it had been towed so I called all of the local tow companies, with no luck. After a few days I contacted Anaheim Police to report the car stolen. They gave me a list of more tow companies, which I called.

It's been four months since the car disappeared. I've called more than 100 tow and salvage yards in Southern California, with no success. The police have also not been able to locate the car. I've scoured the web and ebay but haven't seen anything. I've pretty much concluded that the car was stolen. If anyone can offer help or suggestions I would appreciate it. If the car doesn't turn up in the next couple of weeks I will reluctantly start selling my many spare parts.

Charles
Laguna Beach, California

[garyeanderson]

Hi Charles

Although I am on the opposite coast, it may help you and anyone else that may look at the Elan to purchase it if you List the VIN and color and any other thing like the Engine number. If someone on the list does go to look at it and they know the numbers in question, they could A) stay away and save themselve some grief, B) report it back to you or the Police. A 69 S4 doesn't give folks much real info to go on.

Gary

[gjz30075]

Charles, hopefully its not too late but certainly, as Gary suggested, give us more info. We can be checking ebay for the parts, too.

[sennafan61]

Sorry my first post was kind of vague, but I've included a more detailed description below. I had a notebook with the VIN, engine block number, photos, etc., but I think it might have been lost with the car. If it turns up I can provide more information and post a couple of photos. In the meantime, I found the pink slip and got the VIN and license numbers: VIN# 458436; Calif. License No. 1KOZ930.

The car was a very faded light blue (non-metallic). It had front and rear body damage. The front damage was worse, from the front of the bumper to the mid-wheel arch. I had a replacement mid-wheel arch section from Christopher Neil, which was wrapped in plastic bubble-wrap. This is also missing so I presume it was left outside and taken with the car. The rear end damage is from the bumper
to where the side marker lights begin (3-5 inches?). The doors, hood and trunk lid are missing. The interior was completely gutted, with only the driver's seat, steering wheel (a signed Colin Chapman) and dash/instruments remaining. Thankfully, the Weber head was taken off the motor and is in my garage. Other than the block, there isn't much else left in the engine compartment. Vacuum lights, radiator, alternator, fuel pump, oil pump, exhaust header had all been removed.

I hope this helps. Thanks again.

Charles