New Guy Advice

[Nick Daffern]

Hi All,
I've never owned an Elan but have always admired them. Never having even sat in one I wonder if I'll fit...I'm 6'3" with 13EE feet. Back in high school I used to dream about getting a Europa until I tried to wedge myself into one.
Any words of wisdom on how to go about finding a nice car, preferably something up here in Washington or Oregon? Are there any Lotus clubs in the Seattle area? Most of my experience is with BMW's and Porsches: I owned a '74 Alpina E9 for 30 years and sold it in 2004 to make room for a '58 Speedster.

Thanks

[elanfan1]

A certain forest dweller on here is 6' 4" and until fairly recently was quite a broad fella and is much less so these days (well done Mark!).

I think you should fit though I'm not saying it won't be a bit of a squeeze. There are members here from your neck of the woods - hopefully someone will be along before too long and offer you a ride?

Do edit your profile to add your location which will help others when replying to you.

Steve

[m750rider]

Seattle has the Evergreen Lotus Car Club. Try out http://elcc.org

There is also 1970 Plus 2 for sale on eBay right now in West Linn. You can find it on eBay motors. It looks like a project car, don't know what you are looking for.

http://elanregistry.org shows a list of Elans, looks to be a handful in the Seattle area. I'm sure some of those owners could be some help.

Good luck.

[stugilmour]

Welcome Nick. Bit of a BMW guy as well with a '87 M6.

I'm 6' even, roughly 220 lb with 11 1/2 EEE's. Tried sitting in a Europa last summer and no way for me either. Tried an Elan, and would have found it very tight on the shoes to actually drive it.

Can I suggest at least considering a Plus 2? I was able to move the seat back so leg length is no issue. The pedal area is wider (not sure if the actual pedal box is different, but someone with both cars can probably clarify). I find the Plus 2 with a sun roof to be perfect.

If you are free on the Canadian May long weekend, the All British Field Meet in Vancouver should have some Elans and Plus 2's in attendance as Lotus is a featured marque this year. I'm registered, and hope I have the car fit for the drive down. The actual show date is Saturday, May 19th.

Let us know if you are thinking project, runner, or fully restored.

http://www.westerndriver.com/?page_id=96

[Nick Daffern]

Thanks all. I'd don't think I have the patience for a project car, so I'd want a car that's already sorted and in nice shape. The Plus2 is a very nice car from what I've heard but I'm interested in a drop top. I'll check out the link for the local guys.

Thanks again for your initial responses.

Cheers

[1964 S1]

Hi Nick, Being six foot three is not really a problem with an Elan but the shoe size sounds a bit large. I doubt you could safely control an Elan with your shoes on. The +2 may be OK though. As suggested, try sitting in both and see how the pedals "feel." I would be Amazed if you could operate an Elan's. I apologize for my lack of encouragement.

Six foot two tall, nine and a half D shoe,
Eric

[Nick Daffern]

Thanks, 1964S1. No worries about the lack of encouragement. I may just remain an admirer rather than a driver. "Stuff" happens.

Cheers.

[Jason1]

Wow great looking garage. I have always loved the 356. Not sure I could convince the wife I could squeeze one in?

[jimj]

Not just a 356, a Speedster. I don`t think Elan ownership is viable with size 13 feet, sorry.
Jim

[Elanintheforest]

You'll fit in a treat, Nick.

As Steve above mentioned, I'm 6ft 4inches, although after a bit of recent physiotherapy, pretty close on 6ft 5 inches now. And I thought we were meant to shrink as we get older! I have size 12 feet, UK size, which is size 13 US size. You certainly won't be able to drive the car in your normal super-comfy trainers or shoes with wide welts around the edges, but a normal pair without wide sides will be fine. In the worst case, a pair of race shoes will be perfect, although I've never needed them.

I drive a coupe and a convertible, so you also have options!

Good luck?and no excuses!
Mark

[prezoom]

With my size 12 waffle stompers, the only pair of shoes I have found that work well with the Elan sized foot box and pedals are Puma Drift Cats. I found these, my second pair, at the the local Puma Outlet Store. Nice and narrow, but not in the Chinese foot binding arena. For the San Diego area folks, the store is in the Carlsbad Outlet Mall.

Rob Walker
26-4889

[Jason1]

I wear Puma Future Cat shoes. I paid less than ?10 for them and they fit nicely on the pedals. They are getting old now but I cannot find them in the shops for that price. I may have to have another look at the dearer Pumas.

Jason

[Nick Daffern]

Nice to hear from some of the bigger guys on the list. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it! I'll find an Elan to try out, eventually.

One of the things I like about the Speedster is how roomy it is once you get inside. There's no "footbox" because there's no center console and the pedals are no problem for those of us with bigger feet.

Cheers

[ftsoft]

Nice to hear from some of the bigger guys on the list. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it! I'll find an Elan to try out, eventually.

One of the things I like about the Speedster is how roomy it is once you get inside. There's no "footbox" because there's no center console and the pedals are no problem for those of us with bigger feet.

Cheers

Thanks for the post and pic. I owned a Speedster before my S2 and the pic brought back nice memories. As has been said, your feet will be the problem. I have size 10's and I need to be careful what shoes I wear, otherwise I get 2 pedals at once sometimes.

Frank

[Steve G]

Oops, I think this was a double post and I replied in the wrong one.

elan-photos-f18/new-guy-advice-t25181.html

You seem to have all the answers now though! I too had Puma shoes (Speed Cats I think) until they wore out. Perfect for driving.