Sports Car World - history of elan docs

PostPost by: StressCraxx » Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:53 am

Vernon,

One reason for the casual record keeping was to keep the tax man in a constant state of confusion and distress to minimize the tax bill! Graham Arnold mentioned that Lotus was one of the business the tax agents dreaded to visit...

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Dan Wise
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PostPost by: zog » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:45 pm

I looked up my S1 Elan (366) and found it was originally purchased by the Dutchess Auto Co. Anyone have any history on that?
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PostPost by: billwill » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:30 pm

quaybook wrote:Thanks Tim, I should have looked more closely at the list. I didn't really think the lack of engine number was going to make my Elan special, I was just puzzled and would like to know as much about my car as I can. I have to say it amazes me that Lotus could fail to keep even basic records - how can you run a business like that. Still, I ran a business with good records and no sign of genius, whereas Chunky .......

Vernon



Many of the cars were sold as kit cars. The avoidance of purchase tax rules required that the engine had to be purchased from a different supplier than the rest of the car, so maybe Lotus were 'legally' unable to link the engine with the body.
Bill Williams

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PostPost by: gjz30075 » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:39 pm

Bob, (Zog), I've got a old invoice sheet from Lotus to Dutchess Auto Co. for chassis # 36/9170. Apparently it was Lotus East, as it is addressed to Mr. Stefan Williams, C/O Lotus East, Dutchess Auto Co, Millerton, NY, USA

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PostPost by: trw99 » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:27 am

Greg

What is the date on that invoice, please? We don't have it in the records. Thanks

Tim
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PostPost by: gjz30075 » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:03 pm

Tim, 17th of November, 1969. It also show registration # UVG 761H, Engine # G.19517 , colour Yellow. The optional equipment is Radio suppression kit. The invoice # is FCS/5799.

I'll be away for a while but when I get back home, I can scan in it, if you like.

Greg Z.
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PostPost by: trw99 » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:30 pm

That would be great, thanks Greg. I'll add the info to the 'Master List'!

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PostPost by: ftsoft » Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:12 pm

Dutchess Auto aka Lotus East was located in Millerton NY I think. They serviced my car for awhile. Pete Pulver and Fred Stevenson raced out of there. Pete was an interesting guy. He would drive his elan to Lime Rock and then smoke the C class.

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PostPost by: bigvalvehead » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:30 pm

Pete still is an interesting guy. Living in Florida and enjoying life to the full.
I visit him when I am there.

I own the car he raced in over 100 races.
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PostPost by: gordont » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:42 pm

Dave - I like the new avatar, I take it that is your 26R?
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PostPost by: UAB807F » Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:29 am

are these the original docs from Sportcarworld ?

http://members.shaw.ca/mmg1/

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PostPost by: trw99 » Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:04 am

No. Those have been posted before. Frank of Sports Car World transcribed the factory sales book (whereabouts now unknown) into an Exell spreadsheet.

I am currently putting together a record of all Elans as they left the factory. Unfortunately Frank did not record all of the info from the sales book, so these examples are useful and I would welcome others listers may have.

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PostPost by: ecamiel » Sat Apr 02, 2011 12:09 pm

Hi all
I have an what seems to be a 64 S1 - RHD with full dash and S1 tail lights. I bought the car in CT. from George Murther. I've owned the car since 1978, built it as a race car but have converted it back to street.
There is no number plate, long lost - and the chassis number is 1156 which is the vin on the registration. A chassis mod covered that number.
I thought whoever keeps records of these things might like to know where this car is.

Eric
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PostPost by: gjz30075 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:17 pm

Tim, as promised.
If the owner is out there, he's welcome to it.
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PostPost by: Ross Robbins » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:58 pm

Very cool to see the old documents Greg. Thanks.
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