seniorchristo - new owner '67 Elan SE SS

[seniorchristo]

Hello All
My name is Chris Herr. I live in Pennsylvania, USA and recently purchased a 1967 Lotus Elan SE 'Super Safety' DHC.
It is my second red Elan having owned one for a couple of years in the 1970's. The car overall is in very good condition. What intrigued me most about the car is how original the body, trim and interior are. It has all the proper badges and Super Safety features including the odd shaped knock off wheel spinners. I believe the original Talbot style mirror is in its original location (drivers door)?. The car is not mechanically original as it has some performance options including adjustable rear suspension, solid drive axles and minilite wheels (original wheels and trim rings were included in the sale). The car also comes with issues including a differential whine, a so so paint job and a few oil leaks. It also has some electrical gremlins including what I think may be a bad starter.
I am looking forward as much to the "tinkering" as I am the driving and hope to be quite active with it by next summer. I've been reading and studying Lotuselan.net for about 3-4 years and can't praise its members enough. I would find it hard to believe there is a more enthusiastic group of club members anywhere!
Best to All
Chris

[robertverhey]

Would love to see some photos Chris! I imported my '67 S3 FHC from Pennsylvania, in 2010

[seniorchristo]

Robert
Here is a picture. I will have more at a later date. Thanks for your interest.
Chris

[elancoupe]

Looks good, what part of Pa?

[seniorchristo]

I live in Whitehall, Lehigh Valley.

[Elan45]

Hi Chris,

I've owned my SS since 1974. I've been told it originally was owned in Pittsburgh, traded in to Lotus Central in Livonia MI in 1972 for a Europa TC. The fellow I bought it from in Columbus Indiana had let it go steadily downhill during his 2 years of ownership . I restored it on a new Lotus galvanized frame in 1985 and another major refurb in 2009-10. Welcome to the group.

Roger

[Mazzini]

Welcome to the forum! Nice looking car

[fasterbyelan]

Welcome to the forum! Nice looking car

Ditto!

[seniorchristo]

Thanks for the kind words and complements! Roger, maybe we can compare SS features some time. Right now I'm working on a starting problem and a noise in the differential. I hope to be quite active with it next year however. Are there any East Coast events where Elan owners gather? Later, Chris

[Elan45]

If I had to guess, probably a problem w/ pinion bearings. I rebuilt my diff in the 80s for the full rebuild and the pinion bearings were very worn and pitted. The side bearings would have gone thousands more miles, but all was replaced, including the inner seals and stub axle bearings.

The Lotus LTD LOG is probably the biggest gathering in eastern US, but I have no feel for how many Elans attend. I used to attend , drove the SS to Vermont LOG 6, the +2S to LOG5 in Pittsburgh and many others over the years, but haven't attended in the last few years.

Roger

[Elan45]

Chris,

I forgot that I did attend the Gettysburg LOG a few years ago as an instructor for the track day and there were lots of Elans there, really was a pleasant surprise.

I'm in Columbus. If I'd known, we just crossed PA to and from Lime Rock CT and we could have stopped. PM me and I'll respond.

Roger