Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Apologies if this is shared once again but I love to read of this former military helicopter pilot's long term ownership of his Elan Coupe

https://petrolicious.com/articles/lotus ... lion-miles

Mark

Great story, thanks for posting.

I had not read that, Mark. It is very interesting and inspiring. I should use my Elan more (I bought it in 1977). Skip King and I are about the same age, but his and his car’s stories are so different.

I was fortunate to have owned the sole Lotus 23 of Bob Challman’s team Ecurie Shirlee, so related to that section of Skip King’s story.

I think I’ll sit in the Elan for a while now.

Best from Manila,

Andy

Pity it is an S4. The S3 is by far the best looking. Mine has only done well over 200k since I have owned it..............

I purchased my first Lotus, a 69 Plus 2, while flying cobra helicopters in Vietnam. My Dad had my power of Attorney so he arranged the purchase for me and had it waiting when I returned home, While still overseas he sent a few pictures of my car which he would drive for "shake down" in and around our home in central Massachusetts. I did notice in those pictures some of the landmarks I was familiar with to include a vacation home around Boothbay Harbor in Maine. When I finally drove my new car for the first time it had 2500 "shake down miles" on it. We both loved that car.
R Cranshaw

crannyr wrote:I purchased my first Lotus, a 69 Plus 2, while flying cobra helicopters in Vietnam. My Dad had my power of Attorney so he arranged the purchase for me and had it waiting when I returned home, While still overseas he sent a few pictures of my car which he would drive for "shake down" in and around our home in central Massachusetts. I did notice in those pictures some of the landmarks I was familiar with to include a vacation home around Boothbay Harbor in Maine. When I finally drove my new car for the first time it had 2500 "shake down miles" on it. We both loved that car.
R Cranshaw

That sounds like another great story waiting to be told...……….

Great "family" stories. I am very "Lotus" close with my one son and I am sure some day when I am gone, he will recollect the great times we had driving our Lotus cars together. This is what life is all about. In that that small way we live forever in the minds of the ones we love.

Great story. I just read it. Reminds me of my good friend Ron, who was also a military pilot. Flew all the big stuff. Was in Vietnam just before it got real serious. On is his way back to the USA in about 1965 he stopped at the big car show in the UK (cannot remember which one) to buy a Jaguar E Type. Was walking by the Lotus booth and saw the Elan Coupe. He bought that instead at the show. Shipped it home and had it until about 15 years ago when I sold to another member of this list. Maybe he will chime in. Ron also used it for his daily driver and put lots of miles on it. But as he spent most of his life in the air, flying all over the world, it was nowhere near 500K miles.

While serving as a "Threat to Aggression" in South East Asia in 1964, I bought my Lotus S7 in kit form from Navy Auto Sales. Arranged to have delivered a month after my release from active duty, being shipped from the factory to Long Beach California. Customary for that period of time, the two crates wound up stuck on the docks in England due to a dock strike, as I sat with nothing but documents in my hands. Four months later it was finally delivered. Putting it together was a small challenge, as all the bolts, nuts, washers, pins, cotter keys and other bits were contained in two tobacco sacks. I think I spent more time sorting than assembling.

In contrast to Skips experience with Challman, I had tried to buy my car from him, only to be bum rushed out the door, telling me I was too young to own such a car. My experience with Navy Auto Sales was quite good, and dealing with them got me the car at about half Challman's price, including delivery.

Fascinating write-up of a guy who loves his Elan. Thanks for posting !

Enjoyed that.

[quote="tvacc"On is his way back to the USA in about 1965 he stopped at the big car show in the UK (cannot remember which one) to buy a Jaguar E Type. Was walking by the Lotus booth and saw the Elan Coupe. He bought that instead at the show. ................[/quote]

No doubt the Earl's Court Motor show in London. Used to go with my father in the late 60s / early 70s before it moved to the NEC in Birmingham in the early 80's.

Yes, I spoke with Ron the other day. It was Earl's Court. He wanted a Jag XKE but saw the Lotus. We are great friends. He moved south a few years ago. I miss him greatly.