23 Year Old with a S3 DHC - What could go wrong?
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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!
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!
Last edited by maxminshull on Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Owner:
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
- maxminshull
- First Gear
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 04 Oct 2020
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.
I have a carnival red S3 DHC that is currently under restoration.
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1425
- Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Nice sounding car.
In your post you say you have #6587. However, your signature states that it is #6487. Which is correct, please?
Tim
In your post you say you have #6587. However, your signature states that it is #6487. Which is correct, please?
Tim
Visit www.lotuselansprint.com
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trw99 - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 3270
- Joined: 31 Dec 2003
6487 is correct. Thanks for the spot!
Owner:
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
- maxminshull
- First Gear
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 04 Oct 2020
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.
Steve
Elan S1 1963-Bourne bodied
Elan S3 1967 FHC pre airflow
Formerly:
Elan S1 1964
Elan S3 1966 FHC pre airflow
Elan S3 1967 FHC airflow
Elan S4 1969 FHC
Europa S2 1970
Esprit S2 1979
Elan S1 1963-Bourne bodied
Elan S3 1967 FHC pre airflow
Formerly:
Elan S1 1964
Elan S3 1966 FHC pre airflow
Elan S3 1967 FHC airflow
Elan S4 1969 FHC
Europa S2 1970
Esprit S2 1979
- bitsobrits
- Third Gear
- Posts: 420
- Joined: 27 Apr 2011
[quote="maxminshull"]6487 is correct. Thanks for the spot![/quote]
Cheers!
Tim
Cheers!
Tim
Visit www.lotuselansprint.com
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trw99 - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 3270
- Joined: 31 Dec 2003
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.
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.
Graeme
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
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661 - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1279
- Joined: 29 Mar 2012
Thanks for all the replies! Enjoyed smoking a 964 Porsche with it last weekend. Had a nice coffee stop after too.
Owner:
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
- maxminshull
- First Gear
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 04 Oct 2020
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
Cheers, Mark Whitaker
69 Elan S4 DHC
45/8396
- mwhitaker
- Second Gear
- Posts: 95
- Joined: 03 Sep 2017
Welcome aboard. Car looks great!
Stu
1969 Plus 2 Federal LHD
1969 Plus 2 Federal LHD
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stugilmour - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2063
- Joined: 03 Sep 2007
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!
Owner:
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
Lotus Elan S3 DHC #6487 in Carnival Red
- maxminshull
- First Gear
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 04 Oct 2020
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