1965 Rhd Elan S2 Roadster Barn Find

[Silver280zx]

I found this car back in may, in a barn that belonged to a friend's uncle. The car has been on blocks in his barn since 1986. I ended up trading my 280zx Bsp autox car for it, and am happy with the trade. The previous owner left me some parts, a long with a book of receipts and what not. Reading through the receipts, I found that he replaced the frame with a galvanized lotus frame, and built the engine to a 1598cc 11:1, had a full port job, with sprint cams, valves and exhaust system. Well anyway I am looking forward to this project, the goal is to have it driving by april. Well here are some pictures of the project up until probably august.

[Mazzini]

Congratulations! Welcome to the forum.

A great looking car. 'YW' shows the car was registered in central London and the C end letter of the registration is from 1965. My S2 is 26/4891 and it was registered in July '65.

All the best

[holywood3645]

A real barn find.... WELL DONE!

Another elan will hit the road pretty soon.


James

[Chancer]

I have seen several photos of Elans in the USA that still carry the UK registration plates, do they keep the original number for the new license plates or were they never registered?

Was there a problem registering imported vehicles that perhaps did not meet the federal spec? If so is that still true for imported classics?

[trw99]

Welcome and well found!

As Mazzini says, YW indicates Central London registration district, so probably Len Street dealership. According to DVLA your Elan was first registered for the road on 12th March 1965. It was last taxed in the UK up to 15th May 1985 and was black at that time.

Tim

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Wow! what a great project; you lucky fellow.

Good luck
John

[gjz30075]

In your sixth photo down, I first thought I was looking at a Halloween photoshop joke of sorts, then realized you're standing in a pit! A pit nowdays is pretty rare and a nice alternative to a lift.

Greg Z

[Silver280zx]

Thanks guys. Ya this one is 26/4282 I wonder when the January Manufactured elans started. I have all of the paperwork from the dock in savannah. The guy I got it from worked for an import export company, and was based out of Saudi Arabia, a coworker owned the car, he bought it, and shipped it back through the company in 1983, put 600 miles and froze a bearing in the differential, so he parked it in 1986 on jack stands. The body is perfect, and since its glavanized and since it has been in a barn most of its life the frame is perfect also.

[Silver280zx]

I have seen several photos of Elans in the USA that still carry the UK registration plates, do they keep the original number for the new license plates or were they never registered?

Was there a problem registering imported vehicles that perhaps did not meet the federal spec? If so is that still true for imported classics?

No, you get a new number. The guy that had it before me said he just carried the plate around with him in the car, and he never got hassled.

[65sunbeam]

Welcome Tyler! I live near Columbia, SC and have a RHD S2 that was built less than 100 cars before yours. I am working on getting that one back on the road. What with your car in GA, mine in SC and the one recently found in NC that makes quite a few S2's here in the SE. Eric

[gjz30075]

And with CABC26's and Famous Frank's S2s, we have enough for a decent caravan to Lime Rock next year.

Greg Z

[collins_dan]

If you decide to go to Lime Rock, I will join you when you hit Baltimore. I've already started looking at non-highway routes. Welcome! Dan

[garyeanderson]

Thanks guys. Ya this one is 26/4282 I wonder when the January Manufactured elans started. I have all of the paperwork from the dock in savannah. The guy I got it from worked for an import export company, and was based out of Saudi Arabia, a coworker owned the car, he bought it, and shipped it back through the company in 1983, put 600 miles and froze a bearing in the differential, so he parked it in 1986 on jack stands. The body is perfect, and since its glavanized and since it has been in a barn most of its life the frame is perfect also.

That Elan was invoiced at Lotus on the 2nd of June 1966, That is bit strange as the others of that unit number range are all invoiced in various months of 1965, that is the only info I have on that unit number. No engine or body numbers are listed.

Gary