Have You a Photo of Your Elan in the 60s/70s?

[trw99]

Here's an idea. If you had an Elan in the 1960s or 1970s, post a photo or two on here. Thus we can see what they looked like 'in their day', what ideas folk had about colours, added extras etc. Just a bit of fun but also we can build an archive of contemporary photos to help future Elan nuts.

I'll start off with my first Sprint, a July 1971 DHC bought in that very hot summer of 1976. The snap of me looking very serious was taken by my girlfriend at the time, just as a 3 litre Bentley was passing by. The colour scheme was inherited from the PO, who took a perfectly good Colorado Orange over White Sprint and turned it into a bee!

Tim

[Elanintheforest]

You were a very serious looking chap, Timothy!

Here we are in 1978, doing what had to be done for the second time in 2 months. Then, the old girl a couple of weeks later with her new bits. I used to be able to change a chassis in a couple of weekends, and had plenty of practice.

When I bought the car in '75 she had a metalic blue roof, with matching rear panel and wheels! Metalic blue bloody wheels!!! I rubbed down the offending paintwork and painted the affected bits the correct colour pretty quickly, and she still looks exactly the same today.

Mark

[Frank Howard]

Tim,

While I can't see your entire face, you appear to be a dead ringer for Stewart Copeland. For those of you who don't know who Copeland is, he is one of the best drummers in the world as he was the drummer for the Police. Tim, I also noticed the black paint on the rear valance. That was very popular during the time period. TR-6s came that way from the factory.

[trw99]

Hang on Frank!

Copeland was fair haired - and it was longer (sort of Mark's length juding by his photo!) - and his father was in the CIA!

The blacked up tails were in vogue, yep, and vinyl roof coverings, remember those? Rostyle wheels......

Any way, more snaps people, please!

Tim

[billwill]

I think I only have ONE picture of my Elan from the early days.

My only camera had been adapted for underwater use (with a big perspex case that I made) and was too clumsy to use on dry land.

Here is the one photo showing my Elan next to my other car an Austin A35.

OGU108E in early 1969

[spanner]

'65 Elan ground tow vehicle and tie-down, summer 1975.

[Elanintheforest]

Wow, that's a great picture Mr Spanner. So you were mates with Dave Lee Travis then, eh?

Mark

[dusty]

This has the makings of a great thread, keep them coming

[batfish]

Hi Tim

This was my Elan at Silverstone for the Birkett 6 hour race in 1966 however I did not own it at the time of the photograph having only bought it 7 years ago. The fastback body unfortunately has disappeared.

Andy

[gjz30075]

On the first day of ownership, bought Mother's day, 1978. That's my wife in the car. Still have the wife and car today.

Greg Z

[spanner]

Wow, that's a great picture Mr Spanner. So you were mates with Dave Lee Travis then, eh?

Mark

The inspiration for the Hairy Cornflake. Groovy baby!

Just dug up one more of the '65.

Proud new owner, winter 1969:

145 Dunlops on silver wheels.

Slipping clutch.

Exhaust missing.

Twin bullet mirrors.

Two Leather steering wheel covers over wood rim.

Black horn button.

Period Blaupunkt.

Locking gas cap.

Karl's Garage badge on back.

Sideburns.

Jim

[Gearhead Schmearhead]

Here are a couple pictures of my Dad (and Mom) in Dad's '64 Elan 1600 (S1). He bought it new in 1964.

[elansprint71]

Where is it now?

[RichardS]

Here's my Sprint on the morning after our wedding in 1983. I am another one who still has the Sprint and wife after 27 years!

To this day the "Just Married" is still visible in the paintwork - the shaving foam was not very good for the paintwork!

Richard

[Jason1]

Where is it now?

No match on the DVLA or Eurocarparts site

So it seems the number plate of no more.