Plus 2 wrote:graboo that car is indeed remarkable and looks exactly like mine did originally in the detail.
My chassis vin is 2468 so I bet yours is not that far away and we both have the stainless windscreen surround with wipers parked correct side, bonnet bulge even with webers and the cam cover actually for Strombergs etc etc. Even got the black plastic shields behind the spots but you are missing the Lucas front covers by the look of it.
Albeit my current Elan is a 70 H registered I had a J registered 71 (FPE 85J) that had the plastic windscreen surround and a galvanised chassis IIRC. My H reg car chassis was non galvanised but has since had to be changed so fitted a Lotus galvanised one fitted so interesting to know if your chassis is galvanised or not as I do not know the exact chassis number intro. Unfortunately my pre resto photo's are in the UK so I can't upload them and the car does look a bit different now and in many ways has deviated from original.
One other point purely from interest I see yours has the airbox with the three bolts where as mine only has the one centre and again this is some factor someone probably has an answer to.
As for the brown stains on the H/lining I would leave them as it may be the clear contact adhesive (Dunlop 1358) permutated through from the rear with age it turns brown and it cannot be removed. I had to replace a lot of my trim though as the PO was a smoker and there were burn holes in various parts of the vinyl door, seats and centre console.
Changing the rear window insert strip will not spoil or devalue I did mine a couple of months ago and it is a simple job. Despite having the correct tool I was able to insert it easily with plenty of washing up liquid and a side to side snake action.
If your chassis is in good condition around the front turrets and the bodywork not covered in crazing or osmosis blisters then given the originality and increase in prices being seen on classic Lotus you are asking a fair price IMHO.
Well done for maintaining it this way even got the speedwipers I see.
The black badge comment I still find interesting and I corresponded with Graham Arnold many times on what was known in many circles of CC's intentions but Graham would never print any of my articles in the Club Lotus magazine. It remained with Graham the longer board survivor and certainly the one who objected to the proposals perhaps who got the last say on the history matter.
I actually though have an original Lotus brochure with the White Elan +2 taken I believe as many were outside CC's home and it clearly shows the Black nose badge even fitted to the car.
I suppose many stories have to be left to the individual to make up their own mind on what they choose to believe.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steven,
My Vin is 7007120301L. Actually, one of the spotlamp covers is in the boot, missing one.
I know what you mean about the adhesive staining, I don't think in my case this is the situation as the staining is confined to a small area around the vent outlets in the b posts. My description may have been misleading, because the headlining and visors are fine. Luckily my interior remains burn free and in very good condition.
Unusually, my chassis remains as it left the factory, turret tops being unaffected by the steel weevil. To be super super critical there is a little fatigue cracking in the grit deflectors on the rear struts. I assume these have no role to play on the Lotus and were attached to the strut to keep grit away from the steering bearing in its front Ford application.
The maybe half a dozen small areas of touched up chips on the paint (made no attempt to disguise them) and in artificial light there is some original orange peel/micro blister which would have been there and stable for 45 years.
There is absolutely no crazing, nor any sign of local repair ever having been carried out. The good condition of the car and bodywork is probably down to the fact that it has spent the vast majority of its life in dry storage. My trips out in the last ten years being for MOT purposes only in the main.
The nose badge being so easy to change, the coat hangers and horn push being less so, leaves me to believe, the car started life in all memorial logo-ing and a previous owner found the black nose badge possible depressing and morbid. For myself, being the Jim Clark fan that I am, I would absolutely no difficulty with all black.
Thanks again for your interest, if you are ever in my neck of the woods, or would like any further images of the car, please let me know
Regards
Graham