Im new here - Elan Sprint

[rattle36]

Hello, the name is Richard and for the past 23 years I have been allowed to own a 1971/72 Sprint DHC.

The car & I are comfortably located in an old farmhouse in Suffolk.

This is the 4th Elan I have had the privilege of owning. The others were an S3 and 2 S4’s.

I feel that I am likely to have joined your group under false pretences as I have no mechanical aptitude and any hint of a problem sends me running to a Lotus specialist.

However, the reality is that I am going to have to sell and I realise that sales are not the focus of this forum . But I am anxious to ensure that any new owner of the car will appreciate and take good care of it.

So, when I get the courage up ( I have been dithering and reluctant for 2 years) I will list the car and see if any enthusiast is prepared to give it a good home.

R.

[Pastapesto]

Hello Richard and welcome…..

Tell us all a bit more about your car…what colour is it and what have you done to it since owning it for so long.

Mechanical aptitude is not essential here but it does help sometimes….

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

all the best

Adam

[rattle36]

Hello Adam,

The Car is a standard Sprint. I have not attempted any performance enhancements.

It was resprayed back in the 1980's but retains its original colouring of Lotus Yellow over Cirrus White.

As is usual with Elans there always seems to be something that needs attention. But in the main it has been mechanically reliable apart from one or two startling incidents.

The last such incident started a major refresh with an engine strip down and rebuild, new radiator, water and fuel pumps, clutch, engine mounts, front suspension, wiring loom, dashboard and hood.

Given the parsimonious state of my finances it was a 2 year project.

It runs well and I love driving it. Unfortunately, parts of me are now starting to fail and I have only managed about 4,000 miles since.

Regards etc,

Richard.

[vstibbard]

Welcome Richard
Great colour on a Sprint.
Vaughan

[Spyder fan]

Welcome Richard,
The good news for you is that standard unmolested cars are very sought after, I'm sure that the members of this group will give good advice on how to pass on custodianship of your car.

Low annual mileage seems to be a common thing with our cars, I manage about 2000 per year between 2 cars, but that's possibly a bit above average.

As for should you or shouldn't you sell, I would ask if you need the cash? if the answer is yes then go ahead and make a sale. If the answer is no then I would say hang on and enjoy the joy of ownership even if you feel guilty about not using the car properly.

[cliveyboy]

Hello Richard
Welcome from a fellow Sprint owner (FHC)
I would not beat yourself up about not using the Elan much. Most owners do modest miles per year in their Elans. I did 1200 last year and that was a lot for me.
Some owners do use an Elan as their every day car. Some go a bit further such as Ross who did 11,000 miles in a month touring the USA. ( I am currently reading his book about the adventure)
Alison and Peter Coates do classic endurance rallies across deserts and mountains and take their Elan where no rational person would.
But for most of us the Elan is just to be enjoyed on sunny weekends.
If you do decide to keep it, prices are stable and slowly increasing. If you decide to sell now is a good time with the sunny weather appearing and buyers thinking of summer driving
This forum has a for sale section, Club Lotus magazine advertises lots of cars or there are several companies advertising they want to buy Elans.

Clive

[alan.barker]

Hi Richard,
good luck in selling your Sprint. There is a for sale section near bottom of page. If you could post some photos or someone post photos for you i'm sure you will find a buyer.
Best regards
Alan
ps, pleasebe careful in Club Lotus Magazine there are many professionals that look like private buyers!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Veg]

Welcome Richard!

[rattle36]

Vaughan, Alan, Clive, Alan & Veg,

Thank you for your welcome.

While my head and my heart contend for supremacy and there remains a possibility that I won't sell ; there is one problem (door shuts) that has nagged at me for decades.

I guess I had better ask it in the general Elan Forum.

Regards,

Richard.