TC Engine for sale

[PWTrusty]

Hello All,
About six months ago I decided my orginal Stromberg engine ( 72 Elan +2) was easier to replace with a stronger Weber head engine and avoid the struggle to find ZS bits. This barn find had the factory orginal engine (24k miles) was running well enough but the ZS carbs were troublesome and I wanted something a bit more fun.

Last weekend at a car show,a Super 7 owner and I were chatting about his orginal engine etc and he was interested in buying my low miles TC. I was uncertain what an intact , factory stock TC was worth. The L head and block has never been seperated. Pistons, valve train, all original. The water pump was replaced when I started restoring the car in 2007. Compression was within 5 pounds across all four cylinders.

Any TC owners in the US care to venture what an whole engine might be worth, I hate to break it up. Next idea might be to find a Baby Elan that needs a engine and add to the stable.

Phil in Tenn

[1964 S1]

This should be an interesting topic!

I've sold several heads, many pieces and one engine on ebay over the past five years... This is what my fuzzy memory recalls:
Running weber headed engine @$2800
separate weber head @ $1200 (is this right Ray?)
stromberg heads $300 to $400 each
four and six (whoops) bolt cranks $50 to $125
water pump/timing chain cases @$340 each
early series cam covers @ $200 each
later series cam cover @ $80
oil pans $50
two weber carbs in need of rebuild @ $160
two stromberg carbs in need of rebuild @ almost nothing.

With five year's hindsight, if I had a running stromberg TC I don't think I'd let it go for under $3400.

Eric

[1964 S1]

[a dend dum] When you use the term Baby Elan..... can you recall where you learned that term...?
Honestly Innocently, Eric

[CBUEB1771]

four and five bolt cranks $50 to $125

I'd have held out for big money on the five bolt crank, I think only one was made.

[rgh0]

Datsun L16 and L18 cranks 5 bolt and machined to fit a twink - about $1000

but I dont think that was what was intended

cheers
Rohan

[PWTrusty]

Thanks guys,
I will wait a few more days for a couple of local responses and then post to LotusElan site. As for the term "Baby Elan" term, first time I heard it used in reference to the first generation Elans was years ago, probably in 73 when I was chosing between my first Europa and a Elan. The Europa had beaten my 240Z on a closed course (US Air Force base) and I picked the R16. Bought my first Elan about 18 months later. Since then a couple of TC Europas and now a +2s. Hope to see a few of each at LOG 29.
Anyone interested in the TC can contact me at [email protected]

Phil in Tenn

[hatman]

What's the Plus 2 then - a grown-up Elan? Just curious.

[Elanintheforest]

Or a grown-up's Elan?

[Jon Eckman]

Seems to me that since the Elan came first, the Plus 2 should be considered the baby

[types26/36]

[a dend dum] When you use the term Baby Elan..... can you recall where you learned that term...?

I think I read somewhere that it was first coined by "Christopher Neil" in some blurb in an advert
I would NEVER use the term as I believe it is derogatory to the ORIGINAL LOTUS ELAN! (IMHO)
Further more......IMHO anyone who use's this term should have their membership to this forum SUSPENDED for a period of three months
People! What do you think?.........this is an opportunity for the silent majority to stand up and be counted...."go to things in common"

[daves56]

I think that anyone dwelling for more that an instant on the phase "baby" or "grown-up" probably needs to get a life. If you have that much time to be worried about the politically correct name of your car you have way too time on your hands. So for those people either get out there and drive or take a pill and relax.

[types26/36]

If you have that much time to be worried about the politically correct name of your car you have way too time on your hands. So for those people either get out there and drive or take a pill and relax.

Oh Dave, if you get so wound up by a bit of harmless fun I think its you who should take that chill pill

[hatman]

...IMHO anyone who use's this term should have their membership to this forum SUSPENDED for a period of three months
People! What do you think?.........this is an opportunity for the silent majority to stand up and be counted...."go to things in common"

There's no doubt that the pathetically sloppy and quite unnecessary term that some choose to apply to the Lotus Elan irritates me no end, but I just can't agree with your banning proposal I'm afraid - it should be at least six months!

[elansprint71]

Baby Elan, my arse.

[types26/36]

Pete, you have a way with words