Hi Gerald.
The first consideration is that the car will need an identity, so buying a car, even if it is incomplete, is pretty much essential. Building up a car from parts would be a very expensive way to go, and finding some parts, like instruments, door frames, seats and many of the smaller bits and pieces would be nigh on impossible. If it doesn't have an identity, you won't be able to get it registered.
The model you decide on is pretty important, as finding parts for a Plus 2 is very easy on the UK eBay, whereas parts for the two-seater cars is a lot more difficult. The older the two-seater, the more difficult becomes the task of finding parts.
Whatever you restore it is going to cost a fair bit. If you get the body professionally re-painted and do most of the mechanical / wiring / trimming work yourself, it?s still going to be the best part of ?15k, and could be a lot more. If the car is a proper, original Elan, it will be worthwhile doing?you won?t make a profit, but you?ll get most of your money back if you wanted to sell. If the car you build is a bitsa without a proper ID, and built from different parts from different eras, then the finished car isn?t going to be worth much.
If I was in Ireland looking for a project, then I would definitely look at Pistonheads or eBay for a car in the UK. A cheap flight over to have a look and then get it shipped home would be very easy to sort out. There are a few guys on Elan.net in Ireland who could give you some guidance I?m sure.
Here?s a perfect candidate for you!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MEBIDX:ITMark