Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I'm just curious if I can find the original owner/purchaser of my Elan S3 FHC.
The car was first registered in September 1967 and has registration number BOO 758F

The car was originally registered in Chelmsford (that's from the 'OO' of the registration numbers).
I believe the first owner (as delivered from Lotus) was a "C.J. Martin"

Anyone have any idea?
It's a long shot I know

Paul.

Without actual Christian names that?s going to be tough. I dont think too many of the first owners stayed in love with the cars though you might be lucky. Suggest you purchase a few credits for 192.com and do some searching.if you?re lucky the first owner was male and so didn?t have a name change through marriage and didn?t relocate either. If they were 20 when they bought it they?d be 70 now too.

elanfan1 wrote:.... I dont think too many of the first owners stayed in love with the cars ......

I met a guy at a reception recently in London who said he had worked at an HR Owen dealership in the 60s selling Lotus cars. He said that the proud new owner would disappear in his new purchase, only to re appear an hour later on the bus, red faced, carrying the component(s) that had fallen off.

I firmly believe that the current crop of well restored Elans is in far better shape than they ever left the factory.

According to my V5, there are three previous owners of my car and I of course know who I bought it from (mind you that was back in 1983 )

That leaves 2 unaccounted for, one of which is the first owner (C.J. Martin)

Hi Paul
Just seen this old post. Did you ever locate Mr CJ Martin? The reason I ask is my car a 1969 S4 DHC was first registered to a Mr CJ Martin!! It was also first registered in the Chelmsford area so must be the same guy. Any information would be most welcome Best Regards. Bill

Hello Bill,
No I never had any response. However, the fact that two Lotus Elans were registered to the same name, makes me think that maybe he was a dealer possibly??

Also, my car had a raft of high end racing modifications when I purchased it back in 1983 (wow, I've had this car for 37 years...) and had been run hard (worn out more like ...) in it's previous life.

Maybe there was some racing team connection?

Just speculating

Paul.

and after much money, blood, sweat and tears....


Paul.

Hi Paul.
I agree Mr CJ Martin may have been from the dealership. I was told by Andy Graham from Lotus archives that my car was originally supplied to a Lotus dealership, Westleigh Garages at Leigh on Sea, Essex. I don't believe they exist anymore. I'm also a long term owner having mine a similar time to yourself around 37+ years!
Mine needs a fai bit of work to bring it up to the standard of yours.

It's amazing what blemishes a bit of sunlight hides....
Could do with new paint actually, lots of spider cracks.
I did redo the interior last year and put in a new dash.

Paul,

Did you ever follow up my suggestion that you purchase some credits for 192.com I’ve done a basic search and there are plenty of C J Martin’s. The full search should give you addresses and phone numbers. If you can collect a list of those and send it to me I’ll happily work through the phone numbers to try and find the original owner. Be prepared though as time waits for no man.

Hello Steve,
Thanks a bundle for your offer of help, most appreciated. I must admit, I've always been skeptical of paid directory search services and so I hadn't done that.
I am willing to give it a go though.

Cheers
Paul.