trw99 wrote:And back on topic ... I knew I had some info and found it. As far as I can ascertain, Jim Clark had three Elans:
1 - 997 NUR 1963 S1 Unit no. 001 in Carmen Red and fitted with a silver metallic hardtop. The hardtop must have been a one off as the production version came in later, at unit no 039. Otherwise I believe it was a standard production car
2 - CRO 291B 1964 S1 Unit no. 3387 in Cirrus White with matching hardtop. This was the Radford conversion and included red upholstery, electric windows, padded dashboard with most switches repositioned onto the tunnel top and a large padded horn push. Some record has been made that this unit no. was the factory FHC development car and/or that it was a 26R, neither of which I believe to be the case, since Jimmy, as the number one team driver, was bound to be given a brand new car by the factory - wasn't he? Anyway, the car was stolen and then lost, so we shall probably never know.
3 - NLD 55E 1966 S3 SE FHC LHD Unit no. 6778 in Bahama Yellow. Again, I believe it was a standard production car and is the one Jimmy gave to Jabby Crombac, shortly before he died. He was due to be given a new +2 by the factory, though I am not sure if he ever took delivery of it
So the answer looks like one RD! Of course it is entirely possible that Jimmy's cars were breathed on by the factory or his mechanics, but it seems only the one was fitted out by Radford. Unless anyone else knows otherwise?
Tim
From John Bolster's Elan book:
There is a photo of 766BOO, JCs first Elan. Also:
"This was Jim Clark's second Elan, which, like its predecessor, passed into the hands of his great friend Ian Scott Watson..." The photo shows 997NUR.
So it seems he had four Elans, unless, of course, you know different.