Wanted - recent fully restored Elan Sprint - UK

[DJW]

A fellow lotus petrol head who owned an Elan Sprint over 30 years ago is after a fully restored Elan Sprint. Needs to have been fully restored in last 5 years, with no outstanding issues Buyer is happy to pay market price subject to independent lotus specialist inspection . PM me if interested and I’ll put you in touch.

[jonnyg]

Three nice-looking Elan Sprints have popped up on the Car and Classic website for sale within the last few days, funnily enough all yellow over cirrus white, and all restored, but not within the last five years. One is POA and the other two are in the high £40ks. Might be a possible starting point?

[DJW]

Thanks , have passed on details

[miked]

If you don't mind me saying I think your friend will be missing a trick with the 5 year limt business. Lots of good cars in excess of 5 years. Well loved and looked after. Also further shook down and snagged out and used. Paint/glass settled. Reliabiltiy modifications carried out.
Some of these dazzling show queens drive very poorly. Is it to be a driver or something to look at. Plus folk get giddy about prices on fresh restorations.

[reb53]

How about this one ?
Ralph.

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29332/ ... -no-03019/

[Andy8421]

[quote="reb53"]How about this one ?
Ralph.

What's with the bonnet catch? Not seen one of those before.

[Andy8421]

If you don't mind me saying I think your friend will be missing a trick with the 5 year limt business. Lots of good cars in excess of 5 years. Well loved and looked after. Also further shook down and snagged out and used. Paint/glass settled. Reliabiltiy modifications carried out.

Good point. It can take a couple of years for the horrors of a cheap respray to find their way to the surface. Newly restored cars should be viewed with suspicion.

[512BB]

'Newly restored cars should be viewed with suspicion'

Unless restored by a respected restorer and painter.

Leslie

[DJW]

Some good advice and will pass on relevant details.

I had advised to look at cars that had been restored at least 2 years ago, especially re paint, to allow everything to settle . I know he has enquired about the £70k + car

[512BB]

' I know he has enquired about the £70k + car'

Which car is that, any link to the ad.

Leslie

[DJW]

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1742568

Last sold here https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1972- ... leigh-0521

[512BB]

'I know he has enquired about the £70k + car'

Well that is interesting. The price of the car seems to be varying between who is in Downing Street or the £ v $. I copy and paste my correspondence between myself and The Hairpin Car Co.

'Good afternoon. A couple of questions if I may. How many miles have been put on the car since the restoration was completed? Does the engine leak any oil and what is your asking price? Many thanks, Leslie'

Reply. 'The Elan has done a few thousand miles since restoration so has been properly de snagged.
There is no oil leak. We are looking for £65,000.'

Hmm, Neil Dickens, with whom I was corresponding, is not fully across his stock. When the car was sold via Paul Matty to Steve Soper the car had just passed an MOT and showed 21800 miles. The car has not been driven past 22k miles yet, so where are the 'few thousand snagging miles?

I was involved, advised and rebuilt the engine in this car. If anyone is seriously thinking about buying this car, you would do well to speak to me first.

Leslie

[DJW]

Wow re price differences.

[JonB]

Is a Sprint really worth that much? I mean, come on...

[Edit: Apparently so - sold for £65k in the previous auction as noted. Colour me surprised..]

I had a look at the Bonhams car. It appears to be in good working condition but not "restored".

[trw99]

The Bonham's car has ‘history’, as they say.

If anyone on here wants to bid on it, do contact me and I shall fill you in on what I have.

Tim