Elan 1600 - 57th anniversary

[Bill]

Hi All

57 years ago today i forwarded my check for final payment of my Elan 1600 (26/0538) to Lotus cars. It was the delivered to my shipping agent at the London docks for shipment to Vancouver. the total cost was 1,210 British pounds. I was ship-side for unloading in early May and had my first glimpse of an Elan.

Out for a drive tomorrow.

Anybody else had their Elan that long?

Bill

[Lyn7]

Hi Bill. Well done and congratulations on the anniversary.!! I am afraid I can only claim a mere 42 years and going.
Best wishes, Lyn..

[gjz30075]

Bill, I'm sure you win The Cup on this one. Congratulations! I know you have many
great stories to tell.

[nmauduit]

wonderful lasting relationship... any period and present photo to share ?

keep it on the road !

[pharriso]

Best wishes Bill, stay safe!

[l10tus]

Bill,
We hope that's an "essential" drive ??

[Elan45]

Hi Bill,

Enjoy your 57th anniversary drive and keep your stick on the ice.

Roger

[saildrive2001]

Congratulations Bill, enjoy the drive on Vancouver Island. I can only claim 50 years of ownership. Too much grit & salt on the roads here in Ontario to think about going for a drive.
Keith

[hamm61]

Wow , Well done Bill as I am 58 that is a long time , I wanted one when i was 18 had to wait until last June bought a cracking +2 drop head now confined to barracks because of the virus !
Peter

[lotusS2guy]

Wow. Congratulations on an amazing achievement. I thought I had a long-term relationship with my Elan, having picked it up in February, 1966, but you have me beat by a mile. Keep safe and well.

[wildbillorr]

Bill

What a fine anniversary and tribute to the marque and your loyalty and appreciation.

I picked up 26/0106 off the assembly line in April (don't remember for sure) 1963. I
would have loved to join you in celebration - sadly when I returned overseas in the
mid-seventies, I gave it away. One of my biggest regrets.

Enjoy it - keep your head down and stay safe,

Cheers, Bill

[elanner]

Many congratulations - we're all jealous!

It would be great to have a brief precis of the car's history. How many miles, water pumps, engine rebuilds, chassis, etc. For most of us this information is lost forever....

And a picture!

Nick

[Bill]

Thank you for the kind comments gents - I will get back with some history details shortly.

Bill

[Bill]

And 57 years ago today (May 08 1964) I cleared it from Canada customs in Vancouver and brought it home to Lotus Land (Vancouver Island)!

Bill

[benymazz]

My Elan is coming up on 55 years at the end of June - its long and winding history is chronicled in the “Saga of 26/4623” thread.

My dad owned it from the day he got it in 1965 to the day he died in 2014. Not many people have the patience to stick with one Elan that long it seems

-Ben