Another BRM Elan Up For Auction In The UK

[clubsport]

An interesting back story?

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1704373

[Andy8421]

Hmmn. While it could be above board, the description includes:

"The Elan’s history file includes a letter from Tony Rudd certifying that the engine was a B. R. M. conversion supplied to Mike Spence Ltd, and his belief that this was the car that Mike drove when he visited Tony in 1968."

Spence died in May 68, H registration didn't come in until Aug 69.

[Donels]

I wonder if that's the origin of the Big Valve Twin Cam that Tony Rudd introduced when he joined Lotus?

[alan.barker]

Andy,
In the info they say it wasn't registered untill Oct 69 so "H reg" is possible
Alan

[Andy8421]

Andy,
In the info they say it wasn't registered untill Oct 69 so "H reg" is possible
Alan

Alan,

I should have read the story a bit closer. It does say "A 1968 model, following Spence’s passing the car was unused for a year or so until finally being registered on l0th October 1969."

Which if it wasn't registered until October 69, it raises the question how Mike drove it to see Tony Rudd in 1968.

Andy.

[smo17003]

With chassis number 45/9498 that surely puts it in October '69 territory. My December '68 S4 being 8263.

It's also equipped with Stromberg's, which I believe were not introduced until early '69.

Mike

[trw99]

I am aware of this car as it has come up for auction before, at Coys 13 June as well as 3 October in 1996; it did not sell.

It is quite clear to me this is an Elan Spence Specification car. These are cars without the iconic green and orange paint job (this car may be an exception), but S3, S4 and +2 Elans fitted with the BRM tuned engine, following Spence’s death, by Mike Spence Developments Ltd. (We are unaware of any Spence Specification Lotus Cortinas). It is assumed that 15 BRM engines were made in this batch, of which an unknown number were rejected and state of tune is also unknown. 9 are known cars (5 confirmed), leaving 6 engines fitted to other cars, unknown. For further information see my article, attached below, in which I wrote about the Elans produced by Spence with BRM engines.

This car is not a 1968 car, since all other cars with Unit Nos twenty before and twenty after this one were invoiced in late 1969. This particular car was invoiced by the factory on 3 October 1969 and registered for the road in Reading on 24 November 1969. I therefore have my doubts about it having been Mike Spence's personal car. I am aware of other Elans owned by him and his wife before his death.

The usual caveats apply to this, in that much historically important data, or at least to Elan anoraks like myself, has been lost over time, or was never recorded.

Tim

[clubsport]

Thank's for your detailed PDF trw99, a very interesting read.

[Andy8421]

Tim,

Thanks for the information. That the car is a real Spence BRM seems to be the case, the hyperbole in the sales brochure about this being Mike's personal car and him driving it to see Tony Rudd when it wasn't actually registered (and probably not even built) when he died is likely down the age old reason of trying to push the price up.

Andy.

[rgh0]

Yes the engine plaque may be real the rest I would have my doubts

cheers
Rohan

[JonB]

It looks a bit tired if you ask me... it will be interesting to find out its fate at the auction.

[clubsport]

trw99, do you recall how much £££ this drophead car reached in the previous, most recent auction?

The nicely restored S3 fixed head that was auctioned last year is still available. As much as I like the idea of it, I can't bring myself to pay £60k, even with the Isa's performing so well of late!

https://www.wrightsonautomotive.com/cur ... s-elan-brm

[trw99]

No, since it did not sell there was no record that I could find of what the bidding went to.

Tim

[clubsport]

Thanks anyway, unless watching it live, unsold pricing is usually lost in the ether!