Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi Guys
I wont bore you with a complete run down but anyone who is interested I have Introduced Myself in the Free parking forum.
I will shortly be looking for an Elan to while away my retirement years. I hope to get a sprint similar to one that I owned back in the seventies. I have done quite a bit of research on this forum and looked at many advertised Elans for sale with various dealers but would really prefer to purchase privately.
The problem is that trying to remember all the details after 40 odd years is a little difficult and by what I have seen so far, the Elan market can be pretty confusing/misleading.
I live in Romford, Essex I and was wondering if there is anyone within reasonable distance with either a Sprint or late S4 who would like to spend an hour or so refreshing my memory so that I am fully aware of what to look for and avoid in the future.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to your replies.

Regards

MickG

Sorry, I am no where near Essex but good luck with the search.

Hi Mick
Have you seen Tim's fab site on the Sprint?

http://www.lotuselansprint.com/

That should refresh your memory a little!

There's also a recent book called 'The re-building of a Lotus Elan' by Brian Buckland which is huge, and goes into considerable detail on all models. Well worth getting.

Good luck with your hunt.

Mark

Mick

Welcome and I have sent you a private message.

Mark

Thank you - you say the nicest things!

Tim

Thanks for the replies Mark and Tim.
I have been looking at Tim?s excellent Sprint Site and found it very informative, pointing out all the subtle differences to look for. Over the last few months I have been reliving old memories by thumbing through my old WSM (also 40 years old, complete with thumb prints) and looking at what?s available through numerous dealers and private sales.
There seems to be a lot out there that are called Sprint but in fact are not, even to a relative novice like myself. This is where I need your help in sorting the wheat from the chaff. Most are pretty obvious but some not so.
I still have a little time before I am in the position to make a purchase so hopefully a genuine one needing a bit of TLC will turn up.

Tim I have not received your PM as yet.

Regards Mick G

Mick, the key thing about Sprints is the introduction date; anything after January 71 was a Sprint, anything made before was not.

Thanks for that Pete.
If I really wanted to go back to what I had it would be a S4/Sprint, but I feel like upgrading
What concerns me is when you see sprints advertised as 1969 Sprint with a registration date of 1971 and the seller saying that it was one of those returned to the factory for a Sprint upgrade. Its cheap as well but just doesn?t ring right. Still got the chrome strips down the side below the wrong sprint side stripes.
Some people just don't do their homework.

Regards
MickG