Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello,
I've recently acquired a 1965 Elan. Engine is intact but out of the body. Interior is missing outside of homemade dashboard and gages. The rear body was modified with about a 2 inch flare around the rear wheel wells. Has been painted 5 times at least, and looks like areas have been sanded with 25 grit paper. Not factory wheels. Door handles, headlights and tail lights are there (one tail light broken). Windshield is OK. Top gone. Seats gone. Really a hot mess. Is it worth the time to part out?

Does it have legal identity or has that gone on walkies?

John

Clean title. All legit.

Possibly worth fixing. Expensive though.

I don't know if this makes a difference but it was purchased as kit back in '65 and assembled in the US. Last on the road 1987.

The engine is a darling thing and was running back in 87. Removed for new clutch that was never finished. Hard to pass up. A restoration candidate only if you've got prior experience. It resembles a bag of parts with a body painted by Jackson Pollack. Is there a market for the shell? I'm guessing the engine would be interesting to someone - i was thinking of rebuilding for the experience.

OP, don’t part it out

A clean title alone is worth a few thousand as is the engine box and diff. The body shell will be repairable, you may be shocked. Having an original body shell is very desirable. There’s very much a desire to keep these cars on the road.

Save yourself a lot of hassle and put it on Bring a Trailer with a lot of photos and descriptions. You may be surprised what you get for it (so much so may feel you need to offer your neighbour a few dollars)

Good luck

I'm considering a tow dolly vs. a flat trailer because of access into my garage: dead end, steep street. Engine is out, I could pull the drive shaft. 15 mile tow on mostly residential streets, probably 3 miles of highway (Interstate.) Thoughts on towing?

Don't tow it. With anything involving the wheels spinning fast something will likely break. Flatbed the thing. Wish I was closer. RI is a long tow

for sure I would trailer it. Towing it only makes sense using a tow truck and dolly (not a rope and a pickup truck). A tow truck may be a reasonable way to move it.

knockoffnut wrote:for sure I would trailer it. Towing it only makes sense using a tow truck and dolly (not a rope and a pickup truck). A tow truck may be a reasonable way to move it.

i had not thought of a tow truck/dolly. let the pro do it...

Get a flatbed tow, clean it up and as suggested, put it on BaT...or...get a flatbed tow, clean it up then start restoring it.

Either way you win.

Just a small point, don't assume it was race prepared, all Elans have always had 2 x twin 40DCOE Webers, & people have always modified bodies.

elans3 wrote:Just a small point, don't assume it was race prepared, all Elans have always had 2 x twin 40DCOE Webers, & people have always modified bodies.

yes - sorry - i have no idea it was race prepared. just raced at some point.

I echo those above that say either keep it whole & sell it, or restore it.