Driving an Elan S3 Coupe
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:22 pm
Hi, everybody. This is my second post.
The first post was about fixing the gear lever with the anti sizzle bush. That worked, thank you.
The owner is nervous of driving this classic car, it has had very little use in the last 5 years, I was asked to take it out on the assumption that if it went wrong I had half a chance of fixing it.
I don't know what an Elan should feel like. Back in the 1970's I chose an MGB instead of the Elan, because the Elan was seen as more of a "thoroughbred" - which meant it would need more attention more fequently than the "B".
This one appears well used, not modified, and was allegedly checked over by someone who knows what they are doing, a couple of years ago.
Having checked oil, water, tyres - I couldn't find the brake reservoir (but have now) - it started immediately without the choke.
10 miles on, the oil pressure is steady at 38, the temperature at 80, the tacho reading between 6000 and 8000 at 40 in top. (4 speed box) Still the same after 50 miles run.
It is fairly "lumpy" at 40 in top - should I expect that? I was taking it easy, with an unknown car and no usable tacho I didn't exceed 60 - well, up to 70 briefly. The handling of the car feels wonderful at those speeds. Acceleration isn't particularly exciting, probably on a par with the MGB (from memory of 40 years ago!).
Your comments, please.
Cheers
Simon
The first post was about fixing the gear lever with the anti sizzle bush. That worked, thank you.
The owner is nervous of driving this classic car, it has had very little use in the last 5 years, I was asked to take it out on the assumption that if it went wrong I had half a chance of fixing it.
I don't know what an Elan should feel like. Back in the 1970's I chose an MGB instead of the Elan, because the Elan was seen as more of a "thoroughbred" - which meant it would need more attention more fequently than the "B".
This one appears well used, not modified, and was allegedly checked over by someone who knows what they are doing, a couple of years ago.
Having checked oil, water, tyres - I couldn't find the brake reservoir (but have now) - it started immediately without the choke.
10 miles on, the oil pressure is steady at 38, the temperature at 80, the tacho reading between 6000 and 8000 at 40 in top. (4 speed box) Still the same after 50 miles run.
It is fairly "lumpy" at 40 in top - should I expect that? I was taking it easy, with an unknown car and no usable tacho I didn't exceed 60 - well, up to 70 briefly. The handling of the car feels wonderful at those speeds. Acceleration isn't particularly exciting, probably on a par with the MGB (from memory of 40 years ago!).
Your comments, please.
Cheers
Simon