Short propshaft

[SprinTango]

Hi all, Can anyone answer this?
Last year I bought an Elan propshaft off ebay. When it arrived I compared it to the one I had just removed from my Sprint, and saw that it was noticeably shorter. Mine measures about 21 1/8" between yoke centres, and the ebay one is only 18 1/2". The seller refunded my money and didn't want the propshaft back. The flange and spline ends are correct and if it has been cut and welded it was done neatly and long ago. Any ideas what application this might have been used for?
Thanks, Nigel

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

May i ask you why you removed your propshaft? And why it needed to be replaced?

[Mazzini]

I know that four speed Elan propshafts come in two different lengths, I've always supposed that the early close ratio box was marginally different in length than the later 2000E box, though in practical terms it made no difference, but the two props in your photo are considerably different... I'll measure a C/R early prop later today, though the figure is probably here somewhere on the forum.

[jimj]

I may be dreaming but I have a vague recollection that the 5 speed propshaft was shorter.
Jim

[SprinTango]

May i ask you why you removed your propshaft? And why it needed to be replaced?

My original propshaft was removed as part of a full rebuild including chassis change. I bought the second propshaft as it was cheap, and I fancied having a spare. (I have since acquired a normal length spare one)

[pharriso]

I may be dreaming but I have a vague recollection that the 5 speed propshaft was shorter.
Jim

Lotus 5 Speed is flanged both ends with a sliding spline in the centre...

[rgh0]

Lotus 7 ?