Lotus Elan Shapecraft

[bigvalvehead]

Hi Chris

pic of Les Arnolds car recently returned to full width bumper as originally fitted.
Interested to hear about the crash. Was that Les car or the car driven by Barry?

The roof on the one below does not look as if it has sustained any damage in the past.

Dave Hughes

[bonsaichris]

Les Arnolds car was mainly damaaged down the O/S. Starting from the front wing and travelling back. I seem to remember the door being off. Luckily he was well strapped in and didnt suffer any real damage except to his pride and his pocket. He may well remember how mad I was with him after the event, it should never have happened. It was Les who smashed up his own car, I cant remeber any damage being done to either of Barry`s cars
When I get a chance I will scan in the documents and pics that I have and post them on the forum.

[Famous Frank]

Les Arnold's car sure looks good in that color. I took the time today to read most of this thread from the beginning. It brings a few things to mind. 1) I can see what issues I'll have trying to document my 26r, and 2) I thought for a moment I was reading about Herman Cain trying to tell about his sexual harassment issues. Yikes!!!

[bigvalvehead]

Hi Frank
Drop me a mail at [email protected] with the info you have on your 26R and I'll check the build sheets and other info I have which may help point you in the right direction.
Cheers
Dave Hughes

[elansprint71]

Very interesting stuff Chris, and welcome aboard. From everything I had previously read I had assumed that Shapecraft was Surbition motors, rather than a pre-existing company. Another piece of the Lotus jigsaw drops into place!

Please do post any historic stuff you come across.

[GVMOUS]

Hi Everybody,
I would like to know if the Lotus Elan Shapecraft has been racing in a FIA event before end of 1965?
I would be pleased to received any document.
Thanks in advance.

[Vaughan]

Absolutely, Tony Thompson had to put the shapecraft roof back onto his 26R 10 years ago to remain eligible as this is how the car ran in period. Dave hughes is the man with lots of details re the shaecraft cars and dates they were built.

I understand that a shapecraft car would be eligible as GTS spec car today.
V

[elansprint71]

Hi Everybody,
I would like to know if the Lotus Elan Shapecraft has been racing in a FIA event before end of 1965?
I would be pleased to received any document.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum and an interesting question you ask with your first post. Any particular reason why you are asking?

[elansprint71]

Les Arnold's car sure looks good in that color. I took the time today to read most of this thread from the beginning. It brings a few things to mind. 1) I can see what issues I'll have trying to document my 26r, and 2) I thought for a moment I was reading about Herman Cain trying to tell about his sexual harassment issues. Yikes!!!

Frank, what build number is your 26/R? I'm trying to fill in the gaps for a book.

[bigvalvehead]

Hi Guys
just some updates on my Shapecraft replica project.
Pics of roof test fitted to an old shell.
Dave Hughes

[elansprint71]

Looks good Dave. Anyone else asked you to do one for them?

[65ginetta]

I don't know if there is a connection but in 1988-89 I had my 1930, 6C S/C Zagato, Alfa body restored by Shapecraft and at that time the company was owned by a really outstanding aluminum craftsman called Clive Smart. If I recall, he was a former Aston Martin apprentice and was making replica Jaguar C and D type bodies, he also made me and a good friend of mine a pair of "one off" racing bodies for our 1936 Bentleys. I sold the Bentley but still have the Shapecraft restored body on my Alfa and it keeps company with my S3 Coupe. The business was located in Northampton and his work was superb. I left the UK in 1995 and haven't kept in touch but seeing this topic has reminded me of the company.

[bigvalvehead]

img016.pdf

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A small snippet I found in Autosport 1965
This is a road going Shapecraft.
Dave

[RIB]

There appears to be strong interest in Shapecraft Elan photographs, I recently tried to buy this excellent print of a Les Arnold?s Shapecraft at Crystal Palace in 1964 on ebay. I was too mean as it went for ?33.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321027220309? ... 1423.l2649

Malcolm Ricketts has his Shapecraft Elan advertised for sale in the January 2013 edition of Motorsport.

Ian

[ken ob]

Ian, I've never seen a Shapecraft for sale before now. How much is being asked?

Ken.