What am I missing here? An S2 that doesn't sell?

[Famous Frank]

There is a fairly decent looking S2 on eBay right now that will end in a few minutes. It looks like a fair price with an opening bid of $20k yet there is not one bid on it. Anyone have a clue as to why? It's got knock-ons, sliding spline rear axles, and although the dash looks to have been replaced, it's not ugly. It appears to be a good driver car. What gives? It's item #180515203864

If I had a little cash laying around, I'd drive up to Ohio to look at it and possibly purchase what appears to be a bargain.

Frank

[Frank Howard]

Frank,

I realize this doesn't answer your question, but I took a look at the ebay pictures and noticed a little detail that I was not familiar with. Rather than having the two plastic tubes for the headlights connect to a "T" that is connected to the vacuum tank, this car has the two plastic tubes connected to the tank in two seperate locations. Is this normal for the earlier cars?

P.S. Enjoying the consoles.

[billwill]

The $20K would be an opening bid from the seller.

But it says "Reserve not met" which means the reserve is bigger possibly a lot bigger than $20K

[Ross Robbins]

Frank, I think things just aren't selling well right now. Whether it is the shaky economy or fear of job loss, folks just seem to be taking a more conservative approach to spending on non-essential things. I have had my Mallock race car on eBay twice now with a low starting price and no reserve at about 55% of what I have into it. I received no bids. And my friend has sold two Lotus formula Fords and a nice LoCort for 60% of what I would have expected, even in this soft market, because he needed to sell.

I'm with you in thinking that the Elan S2 on offer looked to be a good value at $20,000 or a little more. Reserves have a way of coming off when a bid is close to the minimum expected by a seller. Ask me how I know

[zog]

It's back on ebay at $19,000. It's in too good of shape for me. I only buy them when they are all beat up and in many, many boxes.....

[elanern]

I noticed a couple of things. Not trying to be picky, just observant. It's a nice looking car.

Bolted-on chassis crossbar under the engine
Aftermarket steering wheel
The extra vacuum fitting on the crossmember
Different engine than from factory according to SW chart
Non-standard shift grommet?
Were the S2 gauges black-rimmed vs. chromed?
Extra gauge to right of radio?
Alternator (not a bad thing, but not original)
Is that an electronic ignition box on the firewall?
Should there be a data plate under the hood/bonnet?
And is there something funny about the cylinder head around the rear carb?

If I was to pay $20K for an Elan I would want it to be as close to original as possible, or mods that were not questionable. Too many question marks for the starting price - at least for me. Nice car, though.

Of course if I posted pictures of my still-in-restoration S4 you all would find a bazillion things that are non-standard but are updated for reliability/driveability. I wish my doors fit as well as the yellow car.