S1 Elan Rebuild - My Story

[Certified Lotus]

Thanks Chris! But I?m actually getting ready to sell it. We are relocating and I?m selling both of my Elan?s.

[The Veg]

Very nice!

Where you going, and are you going to get more Elans after the move?

[Certified Lotus]

Haven?t finalized location. I?m moving back to modern lotus. Had my fun with Elan?s and Europa?s.

[Certified Lotus]

I sold my Elan S1 last month to a very enthusiastic Lotus owner. He will take good care of the car I rebuilt and enjoy it as much as I did. In an odd way I was pleased to pass it on to someone else to have the experience of owning an early elan (although this one is pretty special the way I built it).

I?ve still got an Elan S2 and a Europa TC for sale. And just to confuse everyone, I bought a very nice low mileage 2005 Lotus Elise as the Lotus I?m going to keep when I relocate. Funny, in 2005 the Elise model was my first Lotus. Fourteen years later I?m back where I started. Life. It?s an interesting journey.

[MrBonus]

I sold my Elan S1 last month to a very enthusiastic Lotus owner. He will take good care of the car I rebuilt and enjoy it as much as I did. In an odd way I was pleased to pass it on to someone else to have the experience of owning an early elan (although this one is pretty special the way I built it).

I?ve still got an Elan S2 and a Europa TC for sale. And just to confuse everyone, I bought a very nice low mileage 2005 Lotus Elise as the Lotus I?m going to keep when I relocate. Funny, in 2005 the Elise model was my first Lotus. Fourteen years later I?m back where I started. Life. It?s an interesting journey.

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Oh no! I loved reading through the build and, of course, seeing the car in person. No doubt the new owner will enjoy it.

Enjoy the Elise. I'm sure it will be a welcome experience to have something you can just get in and drive without the normal concerns of a 50+ year old British sports car.

[Certified Lotus]

Thanks for your interest in my S1 build documentation and appreciation for the Elan in real life. Just sold my S2 so the garage is looking less like a Lotus used car showroom and more like an enthusiast garage with the Europa and Elise in it.

You absolutely right about a more modern Lotus, less to fiddle with. I?m wondering how satisfying that will be.......

Anyone interested in a very nicely restored Europa?

[Certified Lotus]

The Europa was sold this winter. It went to a collector in MN (which is where I bought the car). I spent the winter taking apart a perfectly good low mileage 2005 Lotus Elise and modified it to my liking.

For the first time in 5 years I’m not driving a 54 year old Lotus and my garage no longer smells of oil or gas. Took some getting used to............

[Certified Lotus]

I am posting to hopefully preserve my restoration log. Happy New Year 2025!

[The Veg]

Back atcha Glen!