Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I’ll give you my recent, relevant experience-
I just bought my ‘72 Sprint almost 2 years ago, fairly original (non-body-off respray years ago), original chassis, numbers matching, etc... It too had sat for many years, but I was able to start and drive it when I bought it. I paid just over $30K US.
Even though it was a complete runner, I knew going in that I was due for all rubber bushings, seals, brakes, etc. and have spent time since then addressing those items. Doing so required me to take the body off, and I’ve gone through each system. Some I knew about, so I wasn’t surprised by- such as frozen brake pistons and a full brake system refresh, all wheel bearings, etc. Others, I didn’t- such as bolts sheared off in the differential, the crown wheel bolts (3 of them, and remember I had driven the car, lucky!). I also found chassis rust not in the shock towers, but along the lower sill, which I repaired instead of replacing.
I haven’t begun on the engine yet, although I’ve taken bearing caps off and inspected- so far so good. All told, I anticipate being in it for another $10k when I’m finished and it’s back on the road. I did upgrade some of the suspension for that price- new shocks/springs, CV’s, and both inner and outer axles.

That’ll put me in low $40’s easily, if I continue to exercise restraint and don’t go crazy with engine mods.

Bottom line for me- I still think I got a total bargain for a genuine Sprint in this shape and I’m a Happy Camper.

Good luck and enjoy this!

-Bill

Evening all, just a few line to say I will not be a 'Sprinter'

It turned out the guy who owned the '73 Sprint had 'forgotten' that he had offered it to someone back in January!!
The guy finally offered him £28,750 four days before i was going over to make an offer. It was offered to me for £25,000 (the owner had even forgotten how much he had originally asked for it !), had I not procrastinated over my finances it would have been mine for less than he had asked for five months prior !

Hey ho, I'll have to wait and see if i stumble over anything else in the future.

Thank you all for your posts, you never know, I may be back ??!

Cheers, Brad.

Bad luck, Brad. Did you ever get the VIN for this car?

Tim

I never got the chance to have a second look at the car, but, I do have the registration. I'm not sure if protocol would allow me to post it, if you say it's OK I will post it.
Brad.

Hi Brad,
i thought you said in your first post the price the vendor offered it for was "a tad high" so maybe it was better someone else bought it.
It's a personal thing if you consider the price correct.
I tend to decide first what my budget is then search market with that as maximum .
If i find something i always phone have a good chat for a feeling. Then i always send a cheque to secure and ask for a receipt to that effect.
Good luck in your search and i'm sure you will find something
Alan