Elan`s 50th birthday

[jimj]

The Lotus Elan driver. Smoking a Gold Leaf. One hand on the wheel, the other idly stroking the thigh of his mini-skirted girlfriend. What a shame that time has moved on: You can`t buy Gold Leaf anymore.

Our Elan was first registered on the 22nd of July 1967. Here`s a pic. of some old people (who think 50 is young) paying homage before going back in the pub for the birthday celebrations.

Jim

[StressCraxx]

Thank you for posting this. What is your chassis number?
Mine was sold July 24, 1967 to Lotus East. 45/7279

Here is an email from last year from Andy Graham.



Graham, Andy <[email protected]>
06/01/16 at 1:07 AM

To

'Dan Wise' [email protected]

Message body

Dear Dan,


Thank you, for the information. I doubt your car was built in August as we sold the car on the 24th July 1967 to Lotus East as you already know. It is interesting it has SS features as it was not officially introduced until unit number 7400.

Would you mind sending some pictures of the car and interior, the VIN plate and body number in the bulkhead?
Is the chassis original? If so is the number stamped in the chassis too?

Regards,



Andy Graham ? Technical Publications and Archives
LOTUS AFTERSALES, Units 6 & 7 John Hyrne Way , Longwater Business Park , Costessey, Norwich , Norfolk NR5 0AF England .

T +44 (0)1603 732178

[jimj]

45/6961, sold to the first owner who knows when, but registered in July `67. He was a Lotus dealer and kept the car until 2002. Partly restored, he sold the car to Xanthos who made 23B replicas. They almost finished it and sold it to me in 2004. We`ve done just over 70,000 miles in it, so far, visiting 22 countries, (including England). Buying it was one of the best things we`ve ever done.
Jim

[Elan45]

Hi Don and Jim,

My SS, 45-7380 is nearing its 50 year anniversary too. I suppose we'll have to have a belated birthday bash for the old girl when we get to Florida, where she is garaged. Better yet, I'll be with Lotus friends at Monterey Historics in August, closer to the day the archives say it was dispatched.

Roger

PS: Any other Elan.net listers going to the Historics?

[StressCraxx]

Hi Don and Jim,

My SS, 45-7380 is nearing its 50 year anniversary too. I suppose we'll have to have a belated birthday bash for the old girl when we get to Florida, where she is garaged. Better yet, I'll be with Lotus friends at Monterey Historics in August, closer to the day the archives say it was dispatched.

Roger

PS: Any other Elan.net listers going to the Historics?

Hello Roger,
I may be at the Pre-reunion (the weekend before the Historics) working as a pit marshal or some other volunteer and camping at the track. I have family commitments during the Historics.

[StressCraxx]

Hi Don and Jim,

My SS, 45-7380 is nearing its 50 year anniversary too. I suppose we'll have to have a belated birthday bash for the old girl when we get to Florida, where she is garaged. Better yet, I'll be with Lotus friends at Monterey Historics in August, closer to the day the archives say it was dispatched.

Roger

PS: Any other Elan.net listers going to the Historics?

Hello Roger,
I may be at the Pre-reunion (the weekend before the Historics) working as a pit marshal or some other volunteer and camping at the track. I have family commitments during the Historics.

[Elan45]

Dan,

I originally signed up for both events; towing from Ohio seemed prudent. But my son is driving out w/ me and he hasn't the vacation time to do both. So, I'm bringing my Lotus 20/22 for the big Formula Jr event. Over 70 FJr are entered. I think I counted 9 Lotus 27 in the entry list. Wow!

Roger