Is this genuine or not

[mark030358]

Maybe this is one for Pete, but is this genuine?

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29331/ ... lp6192lba/

I always thought they were KER-CHING prices

Thanks
Mark

[Pastapesto]

A very pretty little thing whatever it is......

[billwill]

See: viewtopic.php?t=15126&start=105
viewtopic.php?t=12246
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=15126

et, etc

I did an internet search for: [Shapecraft site:lotuselan.net]

[trw99]

Well, from the auction description it does appear to be the genuine article.

It is not a Shapecraft I was aware of. I wrote an article for Club Lotus News on them, a few years back now, so I have updated it and attach it here.

Tim

[JonB]

Horrible little thing. And estimated £35-45k? In that condition? Guffaw!

Sorry, off topic. But these optimistic prices boil my blood.

[richardcox_lotus]

Horrible little thing. And estimated £35-45k? In that condition? Guffaw!

Sorry, off topic. But these optimistic prices boil my blood.

I have to disagree with you on this one Jon, as:

It’s rare and has provenance.
It’s complete on all the important bits.

It will certainly be interesting to see what it makes

Regards
Richard

[nmauduit]

A couple days ago I've sent a mail to Bonhams regarding year certification (esp. is it indeed a 1965 car or rather 1966...), awaiting for the reply...

As for the general condition from the photos, it does appear very used (and somewhat messed with), I'd be interested in finding out how 11 grands were spent a few years ago on it...

An auto of interest nonetheless.

[JonB]

Horrible little thing. And estimated £35-45k? In that condition? Guffaw!

Sorry, off topic. But these optimistic prices boil my blood.

I have to disagree with you on this one Jon, as:

It’s rare and has provenance.
It’s complete on all the important bits.

It will certainly be interesting to see what it makes

Regards
Richard

Yes, agreed re “interesting to see”. But from the value perspective, it clearly needs a body off restoration and, as a modified (meaning by that, “unoriginal”) vehicle, can it really be worth more than a fully restored Sprint?

I think not, but that’s just opinion.

[Quart Meg Miles]

A couple days ago I've sent a mail to Bonhams regarding year certification (esp. is it indeed a 1965 car or rather 1966...), awaiting for the reply...

As for the general condition from the photos, it does appear very used (and somewhat messed with), I'd be interested in finding out how 11 grands were spent a few years ago on it...

An auto of interest nonetheless.

It depends what you call "the year". The plate shows it was registered in 1966 but it was probably built in 1965.
My car was registered in January 1965 but the kit was shipped in August 1964 and built in December.

I find it curious that it uses a 1950s rear number plate lamp rather than the elegant dash lamp which was standard on all models. My own car has one too, fitted by Len Street during a repair following an accident to the right-rear body just before I bought it.

[HCA]

Yep, I am with Jonb on this - reminds me of a Mini Marcos. Ugly as, and cobbled together.

45k? It is completely tatty. As mmaduit eludes, hard to find where all that money was spent, if indeed it was spent.

One good thing about it though - it makes one appreciate the fine design of the +2

[elansprint71]

I came across this one some while back; looks like it was sold to a trader who now has it in the auction.
Whilst it has been rather messed about with, presumably when it was just another old car, I couldn’t find anything to conflict with the story which came with it.

[nmauduit]

A couple days ago I've sent a mail to Bonhams regarding year certification (esp. is it indeed a 1965 car or rather 1966...), awaiting for the reply...

It depends what you call "the year". The plate shows it was registered in 1966 but it was probably built in 1965.
My car was registered in January 1965 but the kit was shipped in August 1964 and built in December.

rather than what I call "the year" my worry is what the FIA would call the year in the event of seeking an HTP...

[trw99]

There is no mystery about the date, the VIN with the car indicates it was invoiced by the factory in Jun 1966. In fact it is one of the very last Series 2 Elans.

Tim

[nmauduit]

There is no mystery about the date, the VIN with the car indicates it was invoiced by the factory in Jun 1966. In fact it is one of the very last Series 2 Elans.

Tim

Engine number goes in the same direction iirc, it's not only the "D" plate which is of concern...

It would not be the first time an auctioneer would take some liberty about the description... still awaiting for their reply (they claim to have a certificate from Andy, I have asked about that, too)

[elansprint71]

Would the Lotus archivist have any information on when the Shapecraft root was fitted? I wouldn’t have thought so.