[Almondgreen] Lotus Elan Sprint FHC

[rgh0]

I don't think I'd describe it as a "bitsa" because pretty much all the visible parts look consistent, only the engine number is inconsistent. If it has had a replacement galvanised chassis, the chassis (frame) ID number is a red herring in the car's identity.

"stands back with fire extinguisher ready and tin hat on now..."

Nigel F.

I agree with Nigel in that the car in a "physical" sense is no more of a "bitsa" than most other Elans on the road today as many if not most have had a replacement block, head or chassis or other major components which is what you expect from a relatively cheaply built 50 year old car.

From an "identity" sense it has a range of inconsistencies that have been done for some reason at some time. Why it was done you can only speculate. However certainly the ID is not consistent with the body which is a late S4 or early Sprint. So was it a S4 or sprint fitted with new engine and chassis and the ID plate changed or was it a wrecked S3 that had a new chassis and S4 / Sprint body fitted to the mechanicals. Both are possible innocent explanations. A less innocent explanation is maybe it was a mislaid ( aka stolen) sprint that was re-birthed with a different ID - who knows. It does not really matter in the end. Just drive and enjoy it

cheers
Rohan

[Almondgreen]

Yes, in the end, I'm not sure that I'll have the final word, one day..

Painted bumpers (found a Ford paintcode, hope it'll match the stripes I've ordered) :


and plates/numbers from Framptons fitted !

[jimj]

The `71 British registration number may lead you to the VIN number appropriate to that number. You can buy a blank VIN plate from ebay and scratch in that number, especially as the one you have is not the original one anyway.
Clearly, your car is more of an honest Sprint than some that pretend to be and that would regularise the identity in line with what it was seen to be when the registration was issued.
Some may think that a bit naughty but my view is that nearly all Elans have had significant components changed anyway and yours is to original `71 specification so more honest than, say, our S3 with a Voight gearbox.
Jim

[Almondgreen]

How could I find the "original" VIN number with the reg plate ? HPI Check ?

[Almondgreen]

On my car, I have these drive shafts fitted :



They seems quite stronger than the original ones. Any idea where do they came from ?

[pharriso]

On my car, I have these drive shafts fitted :



They seems quite stronger than the original ones. Any idea where do they came from ?

Probably "Performance Unlimited" Do a search on here...https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Alotuselan.net+performance+unlimited

[Almondgreen]

Yep, it looks like the same ! Thank you.

[nono17120]

Je decouvre ton topic
Etrange auto dans son histoire tout du moins.
Ou as tu trouve les lettres pour ton immat?

[Francisco]

Hi Alex. You have a fantastic car and surelly youa re in good hands here. I arrived some days ago and learned already a lot about my Elan!
Welcome
Francisco

[pharriso]

Yes, in the end, I'm not sure that I'll have the final word, one day..

Painted bumpers (found a Ford paintcode, hope it'll match the stripes I've ordered) :

Alex, what was the Ford paint code you used? They look perfect!
Cordialement

[Almondgreen]

I'm sorry Pharriso, I haven't note which paintcode he used. I'll ask him when I'll bring him the car for painting front and rear valences.

[Almondgreen]

Je decouvre ton topic
Etrange auto dans son histoire tout du moins.
Ou as tu trouve les lettres pour ton immat?

Hi Nono,
I found them at Framptons -> http://framptonsplates.com/

Very nice and pleasant peoples !

[terryp]

For a French number plate font, I purchased from belle anchienes.
http://www.belles-anciennes.fr/

Terry

[Almondgreen]

They sell the white plastic digits ? I couldn't find them on their website (only the "Maillefaud"), so I purchased from Framptons..

[terryp]

Stainless steel only but the correct font that I thought was half way to being semi legal!
Terry