2012 50th Golden Anniversary of the Elan

PostPost by: elansprint71 » Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:53 am

Bill wrote:Gents

Actually the 50th birthday of the Elan has passed, the Elan was first was first introduced to the press at the main Ford London showroom prior to the Earls Court debut as reported in the Oct.12th 1962 edition of Autocar magazine.

I purchased 26/0538 in Dec.'63 sight unseen after reading as many reviews as I could get my hands on. Even after Lotus's early production delays it was the best 1158 Pnds I ever spent on a car.

Bill - 26/0538



Damn! :D
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PostPost by: elansprint71 » Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:59 am

ardee_selby wrote:
trw99 wrote:As you will all know, October 2012 will be the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Elan at the London Motor Show at Earls Court


I guess today's the day then! 8)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHRMX9Brq0s

Cheers - Richard



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PostPost by: Bill » Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:16 pm

Richard

Living on a rock (Vancouver Island) in the Pacific ocean and with no Lotus distributors as yet established in Canada at which to test drive the car at (the first ultimate Canadian dealer was in Ontario about 3000 miles away from my home anyway) I purchased the Elan on a leap of faith prompted by Jim Clarks F1 victory in '63.

I sold my TR3 hillclimber and ordered the Elan from the factory and had it shipped to Vancouver. It cost about $3600 fitted left hand drive and all options of the time..

I am SOOOOO glad I decided to keep it.

Bill
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PostPost by: ardee_selby » Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:46 pm

Bill,

Bill wrote: I purchased the Elan on a leap of faith prompted by Jim Clarks F1 victory in '63.


No better recommendation than that!

Bill wrote: I sold my TR3 hillclimber and ordered the Elan


TR3 to an Elan? :shock: Was it you who coined the phrase "like chalk & cheese"? :)

Bill wrote: I am SOOOOO glad I decided to keep it


Excellent...that must be an ownership record. The folks I envy most are those who have had them from new...

Keep on keeping on...

Regards - Richard
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