TC Engine for sale

[1964 S1]

Aha ! I predicted this would be an interesting topic but...... talk about hijacked. ( I love the poll and immediately voted for the [fully independent], suspension.) Really, what is it with the word baby. It makes no sense. I just typed baby elan in on wikipedia and, luckily, no matches. Shall we start our definition there, now, for all the ages to come? Or should we ignore the problem. How do you spell abomination?

...as far as what an Elan engine is worth... someone else must have an idea.

[denicholls2]

Brian:

Both of the cars listed in your tag line are 2-seater Elans. Is there some reason you omitted the word "baby" in describing them?

[Rob_LaMoreaux]

I have always prefered Elan Just 2 for the 2 seater and Elan+2 for the heavy version (grin).

As for what a TC ZS engine is worth, well it good running shape I'd exect close to $4,000US to be about right. I paid that much a few years ago for a Weber engine that had been 'built'. Ends up it had a 320 degree cam with a stock balanced bottom end. So the rev limiter would have to cut in before the cam came alive. I had the head rebuilt to 290 degree 0.440" lift and it runs pretty good even though I haven't gotten the carbs right. I'd want well over $6,000 for it, if it were for sale. Eventually I may rebuild the ZS engine block that came with the car and use that head to get something that can rev to 8,000 and really put out some power, but that will have to wait.

Rob

[CBUEB1771]

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

Don Tingle (now retired Elan racer/mechanic/parts vendor in the US) refers to the +2 as the "boulevard cruiser", yes rather sarcastic.

[mikealdren]

From an American that's very sarcastic, by US standards of the 1960's, the +2 was a racecar, has he driven a 60s Corvette or T'bird?

Mike

[alan71]

If the Elan is the baby does that make the +2 the mother of all Elans?

Alan.

[hatman]

No - that would be the Elite.

[msd1107]

If we are looking for ancestors of the Elan, an argument could be made for the Mark VI (modern chassis design), Mark VIII (chassis, body), Eleven (chassis, body, disc brakes).

All of these are street cars by determined individuals, as well as raceable. The Elan was streetable first, then raceable.

The Type 14 Elite might be considered an offshoot of the family tree. With a monococque body and racing derived engine, not much was passed down.

The +2 might be considered a cousin or sister.

David
1968 36/7988

[Frank Howard]

The Type 14 Elite might be considered an offshoot of the family tree. With a monococque body and racing derived engine...

David, I beg to differ. The type 14 Elite was equipped with a Coventry Climax engine that was derived from a portable water pump utilized by fire departments. Unless you referring to the fact that the fire engines had to "race" to the fires.

[msd1107]

Frank,

Touche!

Sometimes I forget the true sources of some of our components.

David

[hatman]

OK, I'll see your Mark Vl, Mark Vlll and Eleven and raise you the Austin 7.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

The Type 14 Elite might be considered an offshoot of the family tree. With a monococque body and racing derived engine...

David, I beg to differ. The type 14 Elite was equipped with a Coventry Climax engine that was derived from a portable water pump utilized by fire departments. Unless you referring to the fact that the fire engines had to "race" to the fires.

The origin of the 1216cc Coventry Clamax FWE is a bit controversial.
Personally I go along with the fraction that believes government money was tapped to produce a future competition engine under the guise of a lightweight power source for water pumps fighting the fires that GB had been subjected to.
Misapropriation of government funds was / is not a new thing in GB, or elsewhere.
The Elite was, I think, the Mother of the Elan, she was a loud & unrefined bitch but a fantastic ride.
Her kid was a bit quieter & had a bigger "Twink", having the extra punch that Mum was begging for, but IMHO Daughter Elan never managed in many respects to match up with Mummy.
Driving in the wet I'd feel a lot more comfortable in my skin driving an Elite.

Cheers
John

[hatman]

Wasn't the Coventry Climax essentially half a Jaguar XK engine, designed by the same man (Wally Hassan)? Or am I having one of my funny turns again?

[Frank Howard]

If the Covertry Climax was half an XK engine, it would have 3 cylinders.

[hatman]

Oops - it's definitely a funny turn then.