Hi there all.

[Exige300]

New member here but had my first Elan some 49 years ago and been spannering on them since. Recently acquired a 65 S2 that had an IWR engine at birth. Reasonably sure it was tested by Autosport in Feb 66. It was a failed restoration by the owner some 35 years ago and I’ve had first refusal since then!
Also have a supercharged S1 Exige for hillclimbs, an Elise 111R, a 47 MG. TC and my last project, a Hawk Stratos.

[RichardS]

Welcome!
Richard

[Andy8421]

Welcome on board.

After the Hawk Stratos, I would have thought the S2 will be a breeze to restore.

Good luck, and please post pictures. It gives us armchair restorers something to look at in the winter months.

[TBG]

I wondered when you would turn up S!! D

[cliveyboy]

Welcome
I will have to dig out my old Elan Autosport articles to see if I can find your car.
Clive

[HCA]

Forget the Elan! I want to know more about the Stratos - I hope yours has the Busso engine, or are you very lucky and have a 308QV???

[Exige300]

Thanks for your welcome! I have to say the Hawk was a challenge, but like all tasks of this nature, they become achievable when broken down into smaller elements.
It has a Busso 3.0 24v. I’ll attempt to load a pic!…….talking of challenges……

Before I get a bol…ing for going off topic, I’d better balance things up with an ‘as found pic’

.
Currently awaiting the boot, bonnet, doors and headlamp pods back from paint.Basic tub is more or less done.

Simon.

[HCA]

OK, OK, I am suitably in awe and jealous

Of the Stratos i.e.

[Elan45]

I fell in love w/ Stratos when I watched to team entry stumble at the 1974 POR rally in UP Michigan.

How close is the Hawk to the real deal?

I remember an English test of an IWR Elan, back in period and I probably still have the original magazine.

Welcome, Roger

[Exige300]

Hi Roger
Thanks for the welcome.
When Gerry Hawkridge made the first kit, he dismantled an original Stratos and tape measured/body moulded it. Although never having done it, wishbones and body panels are interchangeable. The original car had a monocoque- the Hawk has a space frame
( made by Spyder!). After that, the degree of authenticity is up to the builder.
There aren’t too many 246 Dinos in the breakers now and most opt for an alternative - even the busso engines are getting rare - some even resort to Toyota………
For the lights, instruments, door handles etc, you’re competing with the classic car folk and original steering wheels form the basis of a pension fund.
The Autocar article on the S2 has no pics of the number plate, however, it does have a shot of the dashboard with an additional ammeter in a somewhat unique position and a non standard steering wheel. The previous owner ( now deceased) always maintained the magazine had done a test at IWR before he collected it and was overjoyed to find a copy of the magazine at a car show some years later!
Now - back to the workshop and the Lotus!

Kind Regards, Happy Christmas.
Simon.

[Elan45]

Simon,

The magazine I have is "Car", November 1966. I has a photo of Jack Brabham in his F1 car.
The IWR article is buried in pg 32 and 33 and hand stamped on the front caver is 50 cents. In 1966, that was expensive for a 2 page article, so I almost didn't buy it, but I'm a sucker for pre-airflow coupes.

Since your car is an S2, this report is not of your car, but that of a blue FHC. There is a full page of photos, not a clear photo of the reg #. Looks like it might be LHV9D. There is a shot of interior thru the left door and it shows the glove box lid on piano hinges, a hint that it was an early pre-Airflow model.

If you're interested, I'll photocopy the pages for you.

Thanks for the info on the Stratos. Has anyone considered making new aluminum tubs to either repair original cars or make continuation cars. I'll admit that one factor in falling in love w/ the POR car was that the exhaust not reminded me of some of the hotter Chevy Corvairs from my hi school days. But I'll bet a Toyota V6 could do a so-so job. I don't have enough garage space already, so I don't see one in my future.

Roger

Roger

[Exige300]

Hi all - update.
The restoration is now finished and an obligatory struggle with DVLA to retain the original number over. ( The original V5 not available at time of purchase!)
14 months after purchase, not only the original V5 turned up, but also the buff log book.
First keeper:- Brian Culcheth. Second keeper:- Ian Walker Ltd.
An internet search reveals that, at this time, Brian Culcheth was Ian Walkers salesman before going on to a successful career as a rally driver.
So, I think my S2 was Brian’s company car/demonstrator and had the engine conversion done, hence the Autosport article.
Nice providence to set sail with!

Best
Simon.

[gjz30075]

Thanks for the update. Start another thread with some pictures and a bit of a story. We'd love to
see it.