Greetings from Bahrain

[Dobby]

Good afternoon from sunny Bahrain,

I'm an aircraft maintenance engineer from the UK and I've been a Lotus owner for over 20 years, first a 1992 Elan M100 which I purchased in 2002 and then a 2010 Evora about 9 years ago. I still have both.

I do most of the work on my M100 myself and have a good knowledge of where to find spare parts and have also had some parts and repair kits reproduced for the M100.

I recently saw a 1967 S3 Elan for sale and am very tempted to add it to my collection. I've always loved the early Elan (Emma peel in the Avengers) but until today had never actually seen 1 in person. I didn't know that were any in Bahrain until this week. So obviously, I know little about them.

First impressions were I knew they were small, but I didn't realize how small

It's just had a body off restoration and looks great (apparently there are a lot of pictures to back this up) .
I may be going back in a couple of days to have another look once I know a bit more about them.

Problems I picked up on today were:

The car was imported from the US, but currently not registered in Bahrain, seller says he has the import paperwork.
Exhaust is basically a straight through pipe and OMG it is loud, is this normal? there does not seem to be anywhere to fit a silencer so will probably not pass traffic inspections here unless I can get a friend to help.
Doors do not close properly. Drivers door seems to hit the roof at the rear top corner and sticks out about 1/2" when closed, even with a healthy slam.
Door mirrors are missing.
Wiper arms and blades are missing.
1 side bonnet release cable is broken where it goes through the bulkhead.
Rear interior lights are missing, but are apparently here somewhere.
Dashboard looks like it has been badly repaired.
Poor aftermarket radio fitted, is there a better alternative?
Door trim panels seem to be poorly refurbished and seats and trim panels are in fake leather
I forgot to look or ask, but I guess it's got no air con?

What's my chances of finding the parts to complete the project and to maintain it in the future?
I've noticed that Paul Matty was possibly the go to person but has retired and it looks like his stock of parts have been acquired by classic team lotus but there does not seem to be many parts still available, are there any other good sources of spare parts?

What would be a fair price for this car? It's currently listed for about £20k

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to it, if not, mods please delete.

https://www.dubizzle.com.bh/en/ad/1967- ... 30926.html

Many thanks for reading

Wayne

[gherlt]

Hello Wayne,
I would say it does not look bad.
On restoring an Elan you have two main big cost elements: engine and body.
Both things can be restored to look good and work fine, but end up in big, costly items.
So, when they say "restored", you should ask for proof of what work has been done by whom (and it should be a specialist.)

Your questions:
- Exhaust, please look at #14(top right), that is the silencer of a S3, it is placed sideways below the boot.

- Door and frame misaligment, can happen, on this forum you will find a lot of cases and information on that (but use Google for the search). Doors have adjustment, frame no so much, but could be bent ?

- Door mirrors are missing. No problem, easy fix, lot sof 60s mirror you can choose. I like much Denty's bullet mirror and the "flat" Jaguar mirrors. But your choice.
- Wiper arms and blades are missing. No problem, easy fix. Worse if wiper motor missing or not working.
- side bonnet release cable no problem at all
- Rear interior lights are missing, Hooks also seem to be absent ?
I am not sure if the original ones had switches, but you get the ones with switch very cheaply.
- Dashboard looks like it has been badly repaired.
New ones are available and not that expensive. Changing it is quite some work because of the wiring loom work. Which you should renew/change in case you change dashboard.

- Poor aftermarket radio. Original ones are expensive, but period alternatives are available.
Some do not place radio any at all, music plays in front of you.

- Door trim panels seem to be poorly refurbished
replacement readily available and changing is very fast
- seats and trim panels are in fake leather
Unfortunately I have to inform you that this is the original material.
For your hot climete maybe you want to change to true leather, but not ideal also.
- no air con?
Some experiments on +2s, but none (to my knowledge) on Elans

Classic Team Lotus has more parts than advertised, but you should check especially Sue Miller, also Kelvedon and SJ Sportscars. TTR has some parts, but more for racers with no cost limits.
Sue Miller is usually best choice, best knowledge.

I am not sure about 20K price tag, would be better you show more of the engine bay and the lower half of the car. The paint looks nice, but as I said, you better ask for who has done the work and check if he is a specialist or not.

In any case, if you enjoyed your M100, you will love the M26/36/45.

[gherlt]

Just took a second look at the pictures.

The side door trim is not poorly executed, the inside is wrong.
The seats look good, you have original stearing wheel, also good.
Headlinig looks good
Original hand brake lever present, good
Gear lever looks a bit high to me (changing not a problem).

You are missing the heater knob, getting the original looking one could be a problem.
Same for Windscreen washer knob
Lights switch looks strange on photo.

[elanfan1]

Biggest is is someone else will jump in and buy it sight unseen. I’d delete the ad until you’ve decided.

[NickWilmshurst]

Hi Wayne,

My advice: BUYIT!!!!

Looks like its been messed about over the years but pretty much all parts are available even if you wanted to take it back to "standard".

You will be the envy of everyone in Bahrain.

Good luck

Nick

[cliveyboy]

Hi Wayne
Whilst it may not be a bargain, if its a sound mechanical car with decent bodywork etc then its not an unrealistic price.
It has been messed around with but things that are minor and can easily be replaced.
Chassis condition has not been mentioned. Has it had a replacement chassis. You may have a sunny climate but where was the car languishing before that. Chassis repairs or replacement are expensive. Check suspension turrets as most common rot area. Also check chassis for any damage that its had a prang or been in a ditch etc.
Clive

[Dobby]

Thank you all for the replies and advice, pleased to know that parts are still available

Gherlt, thanks so much for the picture of the exhaust. It currently has a single pipe that comes out of the center of the car. There didn't look like there's much space for a silencer but I guess it will fit.

Apparently he has a heap of photos documenting the work done. All interior is new (cheap to get done here), engine was overhauled, new Coolex radiator and fan, engine bay is immaculate, headlights have been changed to electric motors instead of vacuum? All the chrome around the windows looks new, in fact everything on it looks new. I think Paul Matty and Kelvedon have supplied most of the spare parts.

Unfortunately we don't have any Lotus specialists here. The seller in charge of a marine workshop and has several cars that he is in different stages of restoring. Porsche 914 and a very early Targa Porsche 911

Clive, good info on the Chassis, I think I need to get the car up on a lift to have a better look underneath and go over the pictures of the restoration.

The car apparently came from Michigan in the US, so probably not the best climate before arriving here about 7 years ago.

Nick, I probably will buy it now that my fears of not being able to get spare parts for it has almost gone.
I think everyone in Bahrain knows that i'm the only idiot what would buy another Lotus. We've had no Lotus dealer for most of the last 25 years until Adamas motors started up 2 years ago. There are very few Lotus cars here other than the odd import. Until 2 years ago I'd never seen another 1 on the road and even today I rarely see 1 other than at events.

Now I'm only concerned about being able to register it here in Bahrain and getting it past the annual traffic inspection with it sounding like a Spitfire on take off and I may have to look at a way to have an air con unit fitted to make it driveable during the summer.

elanfan, As you said, I did worry about posting the ad for the car in case someone else grabbed it before me and thought about not posting the Ad.

I'll leave it up for now, I don't see many people in Bahrain interested and he wants rid of it with the least possible hassle.

If I don't end up buying it maybe someone in the future will give it a good home.

[2cams70]

The car was imported from the US, but currently not registered in Bahrain,

This would raise a red flag for me. Getting it registered in a country it's never been registered in before could give you a lot of grief. I'd investigate this first before taking it any further. Do your own legwork and don't rely on what the seller says. Rules will vary from country to country.

[Dobby]

2cams, this is currently the main thing putting me off at the moment. The same would have to agree with this being possible for me to go ahead with it.

Seller is reluctant top do it, I don't know why, maybe he has tried and failed to get it done. I know it will always be a headache.

I was quite surprised when I went to see it to find out it is not registered here.

[The Veg]

Welcome Wayne!

You could do much worse than this car. It'll be interesting to hear what else you find out, especially about the legalities.

Keep us posted!

[Dobby]

Just to keep everyone updated. Sorry to say that I decided not to buy this car.

The hassle of registering it in Bahrain has put me off so if anyone would like a lovely Elan, I think its still for sale.

Thank you to everyone that offered me advice. I'd still like to buy one, but possibly not this one but only down to registration problems and the fact that it has no air con, which would mean I couldn't drive it for 9 months of the year. I already have 2 garage queens. any other issues are apparently easily fixable.