23 Year Old with a S3 DHC - What could go wrong?

[maxminshull]

Hi guys, I just bought chassis #6487 - a S3 DHC in carnival red.

The early owner (if not possibly the first owner) lived in Florida. After owning the car for decades, he decided to try and restore it himself. The project stalled out and it sat for a long time before he eventual sold it to Hayes Harris, owner of Wire Wheel in Vero Beach, Florida sometime in the late 90’s to early 2000’s. With the help of Dave Bean from Dave Bean Engineering, a full restoration down to the frame was performed. As it neared completion in December of 2004, a San Diego British car enthusiast purchased the car and had them finish the interior with a custom tan interior so it would be more comfortable on sunny SoCal days. The restoration was a frame off complete build (see archive pics taken by builder). Many parts were replaced in addition to saving as many good original parts as possible. When he purchased the car it had 18,500 miles on the odometer and it is believed to be original. This owner enjoyed the car for 15-years. He added nearly 40,000 miles and was very active in the local Southern California British car scene. He competed for years at the San Diego British Day car show and won Best in Class for Lotus Cars in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2018.

The car just came out of an excellent reupholstery, and I have the car in for a gearbox refresh and new tires now. XAS is the call for a good tire?

Looking forward to meeting you all at some point!

[StressCraxx]

Congratulations on your new Elan. There are several Elan owners near you, two members I can think of immediately are in Oceanside.

I have a carnival red S3 DHC that is currently under restoration.

[trw99]

Nice sounding car.

In your post you say you have #6587. However, your signature states that it is #6487. Which is correct, please?

Tim

[maxminshull]

6487 is correct. Thanks for the spot!

[bitsobrits]

Congrats on your new to you car. I was 21 when I bought my first one, and it was my only car. I have a few 'what can go wrong' stories, but most are down to under maintaining the car and driving way beyond my skill level.

[trw99]

[quote="maxminshull"]6487 is correct. Thanks for the spot![/quote]

Cheers!

Tim

[pharriso]

XAS is the call for a good tire?

Looking forward to meeting you all at some point!

Welcome!

I have Michelin XAS', expensive but very good tires.

[The Veg]

Welcome!

Sounds like a beauty- post some pics!

[661]

There are a few of us that still have the Elans we bought when young. My S4 was bought when I was 22. I still have it 35 years later.
It is a disease. It gets inside of you and won't leave.
I hope you get as much pleasure and have as many memories from your Elan as I have had from mine. Many will be testing. Consider as a test and feel great when you get through the other side.
Pictures, please.

[TBG]

Brilliant news - you won't regret it for a moment. Had my first one in 1966 and the present one for 35 years. What fun it has all been.

The first one

Today..

[maxminshull]

Thanks for all the replies! Enjoyed smoking a 964 Porsche with it last weekend. Had a nice coffee stop after too.

[mwhitaker]

Congrats- what a lovely car. You are going to have more fun and aggravation than you can probably imagine-all to the good. I have loved owning mine for the last 3 years after being away from the Elan I grew up with 30 years ago. Welcome to the forum-the information freely dispensed on this forum is unmatched and given with genuine humor and generosity.

Cheers, Mark Whitaker

69 Elan S4 DHC
45/8396

[stugilmour]

Welcome aboard. Car looks great!

[m750rider]

Congratulations and nice looking car. You’ll love it. I bought my 1969 S4 as the second owner in 1973 when I was 21. Still have it today, in the basement waiting for warmer weather. Good luck with it.

[maxminshull]

Thanks for all the well wishes. Coker tire has said I have to wait till March for the Michelin XAS... just short enough to wear out my toyos in the So Cal winter!