Elan ownership gap, Bahamas>US, 1967>1969

[jabingb]

I have finally been successful in tracking the history of my car since its purchase from Dutchess in 1965 to my acquisition of it in 1973.

However, there is at least one link that evades me. The car was entered in the Speed Weeks in '65 and '66 by a resident of Nassau. He recalls that he sold it locally after the '66 race and it doesn't seem to get to the East coast until ~ '69.

My question is, does anyone know of the ownership of the car during that 2 year period, presumably in the Bahamas???

Here's a picture of it being raced there, the color was yellow. Thx
Jerry

[trw99]

No idea I'm afraid Jerry. Since the Speed Week ceased that year the organisers (Bahamas government?) would be unable to help.

There may be a sports car club on the island that goes back that far. Otherwise I'd suggest contacting the library there to see if they have any archives of newspapers that could help.

Tim

[ftsoft]

Didn't Pete Pulver race his elan at Speed week?

[jabingb]

Yes, Pete Pulver did race in both those Speed Weeks, this is NOT that car. Number 101 was entered/driven by Columbus O'Donnell.

[archigator]

When the Bahamas Speed Week races were last run in 1966, the local Bahamas Racing and Sports Car Club continued with their own racing events. In 1965 and 1966, only two Elans ran in the Bahamas Speed Week Resident's Race... Elan number 101 and Elan 111, so apparently both were owned by Bahamian residents.

From "Bahamas Speed Weeks" by Terry O'Neil, pp. 362 & 363:

"The first meeting of (the Bahamas Racing and Sports Car Club) 1969 was held on February 16. Richard Munnings won the Formula Vee race, whilst Jim Watson, driving a Lotus Elan, was the sports car race winner."
"At the July meeting, Jim Watson won the sports car event..." "At the December race meeting... the sports car event was won by Jim Watson in his Lotus Elan."

In 1970, eight Bahamas Racing and Sports Car Club race meetings were held, but it appears that Jim Watson and his Elan, who dominated the 1969 sports car races, was nowhere to be found amongst the winners. (At least he is not mentioned.) The Club formally disbanded in 1973.

I don't know if this was your Elan, but this may prove helpful.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[woodcock]

It appears the car has 26R light covers & knock offs

[vstibbard]

Hello, is your car a 26R or an Elan with 26R shell and parts fitted to it, visually, like a late S2 26R with chinese eye headlights.

cheers

V

[jabingb]

26-S2-20