Thoughts?

[Dantheelanman]

Hello, I'm new on the forum but have been looking for a fhc elan to restore.
This elan has been on the Internet just long enough to suggest it's a bit pricey or I'm missing something.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1768661

Dan

[Uturn]

Looks rough. Very rough for that asking price.

Seeing a nicer one for only £17k though it's a drop head. Easier and cheaper to keep a car on the road than to try to bring it back from the grave.

[Andy8421]

The engine has clearly been worked on, and given the dry sump and ported head, set up for competition. The remote brake reservoir and pedal box reinforcement would also indicate a competition background.

Without further details, its difficult to tell what else has been messed with, but making a competition car fit for the road can be an expensive proposition depending on how much needs to be replaced.

If a restored, relatively stock road car is your ultimate aim, then as Uturn suggests, a complete runner would probably be the best way to go as a basis.

[alan.barker]

Can Elans be used in competition with a Spyder Chassis ???
Alan

[JonB]

There seems to be a floor for Elan prices at the moment, and this car is at it IMHO. I think the problem is, you don’t know if it’s complete, because many parts are not fitted. If you’re not an Elan expert, it’d be easy to overlook the absence of a critical part.

For example, I payed a bit more than that for a DHC in need of a full restoration about a year and a half ago, but it was in one piece so I could evaluate it easily. I found it honest and highly original. The only missing part was the hood, but that would have been replaced anyway.

Prices have obviously softened a bit since then. I’d be concerned by lack of originality, and that the cost to restore (exorbitant) and the purchase price summed is well over its value in today’s market.

[Andy8421]

Can Elans be used in competition with a Spyder Chassis ???
Alan

Depends on the series, and how much modification is allowed. These days it seems organisers are much more restrictive than in the past. The series I race(d) in, would not allow it.

[Andy8421]

I didn't mention it in my earlier post, but if the OP's aim is to end up with a restored car to drive, rather than the pleasure of the restoration itself, then in the current market it would make much more financial sense to buy a car that has already been restored.

While flicking through the channels a couple of days ago I came across a restoration programme 'bangers and cash'. I wouldn't recommend the programme, but they did a chequebook restoration on a very ratty old late 60s Mini Cooper. Total restoration costs plus purchase price £69K, sold at auction for £31K.

The only way to make money restoring old cars is to have someone else pay for it.

[RobertMaulden]

A dry sump, professionally built competition engine, with a vented oil filler cap, & no oil catch tank for the bottom & top end breathing? S1 lamps on the rear end?

[Dantheelanman]

What a wealth on info, Thankyou! Everyone has been super helpful, exactly why i decided to post here!
And it has opened my eyes... I think i caught elan fever
You see my aim was to do a restoration as a project on evenings for fun and to learn more about elans in the process and i would have my dream car despite it costing more.
However i dont want to be in a position that i regret...! And I think I'm a bit out of my depth at the moment for a full restoration and its for the best to dwell on it and come back a few years later and perhaps tackle a restoration then!
I still need to get me an elan though and I have seen a nice elan in an auction that im going to have a go at. So fingers crossed.
Thanks again!

Dan