Finally got my hands on a Classic

[Rob P]

Joined a while ago and have been searching for a suitable car whilst pulling funds together.

Please to have picked up a nice 1969 Elan S4 Coupe last night in Wedgewood Blue, a 2 owner Vehicle with 58k on the clock, not perfect but looks nice and is a car I can use this summer as it came with 11 months MOT and no advisories

Interior needs a bit of a tidy up but that can wait for a while as I want to get to grips with driving the little car as it has been a while since I drove anything rear wheel drive and this old.
Has a couple of strange things like a federal front bumper, no actual jack which I think are really rare, and the dash has gone a little milky on the passenger side lacquer. but it did come with a spare petrol tank (car has an alloy one installed) spare windscreen (he swapped this out because of some slight scratching by the wipers, steering rack, front strut, spare set of Stormberg carbs and air box, plus a few other bits and bobs.
I need to pick up a wing mirror as well as there aren't any and I did miss it on the drive home. Might need so advice on what type is correct for the car.

So far the experience has been great, can't wipe the smile off my face as I have wanted a Lotus Elan for some years now.

[ericbushby]

Well done Rob, it looks good.
I look forward to seeing it at CL meeting at the White Crow.
I see Matt got his own way with the hard roof !!
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[AHM]

Looks really nice!

Good choice on the FHC - by far the most practical.

Might need so advice on what type is correct for the car.

None!

[Rob P]

Yes Eric, matt did indeed get his own way, as usual

As for the wing Mirrors I know the lines look great without but having been a van driver in my Youth I seem to be missing them. Might need to have a few more miles without to see if I can get used to not having any

[collins_dan]

The car looks beautiful. On the side mirrors, the biggest issue is that they don't help much. I recently added a set of the bullet style to my car and find I still rely mainly on the rear view mirror and a quick glance to the side. Other styles may work better. Some have added the rectangular variety, which sound like they work better. Still others have added the kind that clamp on the window frame, so no drilling, which is a benefit in and of itself, but also the higher position may help them to be more effective. Enjoy the car and decide later. All the best, Dan

[theelanman]

Rob
very nice......you'll need to get it to CLOG and the Serpentine too.....
as for mirrors.....I went classic Porsche....
http://www.historika.co.uk/porsche-part ... ror/50.htm
for the +2......I found the bullet ones pretty useless.....
and I only went Porsche because it was a big mirror and it had a bigger footprint so itd also cover the holes made by the bullet type....
looking forward to seeing it soon......
cheers
G

[jono]

That looks lovely, I do like a FHC Elan.

Excellent choice of colour too - also available in large

Jon

[JC33supreme]

Hi Jon,

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your lovely looking S4 in a beautiful colour. As my own car hasn't moved for over 30 years I envy you for being able to enjoy some immediate summer Elanning.

John

[Rob P]

Thanks for the responses guys, I suppose the danger I have is to ensure I drive it and not tinker too much this year. I'm sure I will want to do some jobs on it to make it more to my liking, the Head isn't done for Unleaded fuel so that is one job to be done.

Looks like lots of reading up to be done but looking at this forum I will no doubt finb a lot of the info here at my finger tips

[EPC 394J]

Head isn't done for Unleaded fuel so that is one job to be done

I stand to be corrected by more knowledgeable folk, but it's my understanding that's not really an issue, provided you use Super Unleaded.

I use the Shell V Nitro.

Car looks a beauty by the way.

[rgh0]

The head is fine to run on unleaded fuel without putting in modern hard seats. The original seats were hard enough. Wait until it needs a rebuild before you think about replacing the valve seats.

cheers
Rohan

[john.p.clegg]

The other story is that the original seats become work-hardened over time..

John

[theelanman]

I agree with the above comments.......the original seats are already hard enough for unleaded

[Rob P]

Thanks for the info guys, that's really useful to know, the car came with a couple of bottles of fuel additive that the previous owner said I should be using, I assume from the previous comments that it doesn't really need it.

Excellent news

Took it out for another little run after adjusting the play in throttle cable, very responsive little thing, Clutch bites a little low so might need some adjustment otherwise starting to feel a bit more at home with the driving position and the winding up of the Donuts. perhaps a set of those Mick Miller solid drive shafts would be a future purchase.

[Quart Meg Miles]

..... the winding up of the Donuts. perhaps a set of those Mick Miller solid drive shafts would be a future purchase.

Don't assume all the wind up is the doughnuts, you've been driving FWD with short transmission paths compared to the Elan. I believe Mick Miller stopped selling their solid kits and watch out for limits on shaft angle if you do go that route.

As your car sounds standard and original do you want to spoil that originality by fitting modern "improvements" which change its character too?