Ride along 1966 Lotus Elan

[collins_dan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Uy8Vt ... 04-20-2016

[Ross Robbins]

Those roads are just a few miles from where William lives so he gets to run them whenever he wishes. Well done! It is always good to have a positive image of our little cars, no?

[Mr.Gale]

I'm not buying what he said about the doors.
Gale

[Jentwistle3]

I was a little disappointed in this. All of the great cars and history around and this is the best they could come up with?

[cabc26b]

I'm with you Gale , also , that's what I would call a herniated door vs the normal Series 3 and 4 issue...

[Mazzini]

I'm not buying what he said about the doors.
Gale

Plus 1 - never seen an original door that bad.

Nice guy, nice car, nice vid.

[richardcox_lotus]

For those that don't know, William is the man behind Coterie press and the terrific Lotus books they produce.

[Certified Lotus]

William is also the editor in chief and publisher of "Remarque" the quarterly magazine Lotus LTD. Produces in the US. It's very well done. He was also part of the planning committee for LOG35 in Colorado this past summer (which Ross Chaired). One of the LOG events was a planned drive up Pikes Peak before they opened to the public in the morning. William and his Elan lead the entire 150+ Lotus car group up the mountain with Clive Chapman at the wheel. I have a great video of the entire mountain drive, it was a spectacular morning. (my son is editing a video of the high lights of LOG35 that include the complete drive. He almost has it done).

By the way, my S1 and S4 have the same door issues (to various degrees). So as far as I'm concerned, it's not an original factory built Elan if the door actually fits......... Just kidding. But remember William said a third of the cars had this problem and although I am fairly new to the Elan world, I've seen more cars with door problems than not.

I have known William for many years. He is a great guy with an emense knowledge of Lotus who happens to be an accomplished photographer, writer and publisher. He is also one of the nicest guys I have met.

Clive leading the Pikes Peak drive LOG35

[billwill]

I wonder what they were using as the camera car in most of that video.

[JimE]

During 1972, Colin Chapman was persuaded to invest in new door moulds for the Elan. He was notoriously tight with money for road cars - although it was 'no expense spared' for racing. In the end the door moulds got so bad (and Sprints were selling reasonably well) Chapman finally gave in and allowed them to spend some money making a new set. My Sprint (attached) shows the end result.

William Taylor was my neighbour when he lived in London which is why my Roman Purple Plus Two and Lagoon Blue Europa Special are featured in his bible 'The Lotus Book'. Jim

[AHM]

Doors are usually better on a FHC as the roof supports the frame which keeps them in shape. My 69 FHC is nearly as good.

[Chancer]

My 71 FHC is pants

[JimE]

I use to have a 1971 FHC Sprint and my doors stuck out. As I say we had to wait towards the end of production before Lotus got them sorted again. Jim.