1967 Elan, Registration UCP 22

[mrpeugeot]

Here in SF, CA, I own a 1967 Elan S3 that was originally a UK market car (it's RHD, after all).

Having gone through some of the old records, I found the last DVLA document which was from around 1984 before it was sold out of England. It subsequently traveled to the US, then to Japan, and then back to the US where I now own the car.

Tracing the history, it's UK number plate was UCP 22, which marks it as having been purchased in Halifax. The last UK owner was a Christopher J Greasley, who at the time lived in Otley by Leeds.

I'd love to connect with this past owner, as the car has some unique modifications that were done prior to it leaving England (for instance, a very early Spyder chassis with a number of early Spyder suspension bits), as well as a Sprint-style paintjob I'd like to learn more about.

If anyone is aware of the history (or has any pictures) of UCP 22 in the UK, I'd appreciate any knowledge!

[trw99]

UCP 22 comes up on the DVLA database as having been registered on 13 October 1967 and was last taxed to 1 November 1984. It also lists it as 'multi-coloured'!

If you let us also know the VIN that may also be helpful in providing some additional information. However, it may prove tricky getting the data you need. The registration is what is termed a personalised plate, or vanity number, which is not age related. The car probably did not have that registration number when it was new.

Tim

[mrpeugeot]

Of course - my car is 45/7287. I believe that correlates to around an Oct. '67 build, which is around the same time as first registration.

I think the description as multi-colored must refer to the red/white/gold Sprint paint job! At least that is proof that it has worn that scheme since it lived in England.

[StressCraxx]

Of course - my car is 45/7287. I believe that correlates to around an Oct. '67 build, which is around the same time as first registration.

I think the description as multi-colored must refer to the red/white/gold Sprint paint job! At least that is proof that it has worn that scheme since it lived in England.

Mr. Pugeot,

#7279 lives just 43 miles from you.

Regards,
Dan Wise

[LotusArchives]

Of course - my car is 45/7287. I believe that correlates to around an Oct. '67 build, which is around the same time as first registration.

I think the description as multi-colored must refer to the red/white/gold Sprint paint job! At least that is proof that it has worn that scheme since it lived in England.

Are you Adam?

It was sold in September 1967, no dealer recorded at Lotus, and as Tim said, the private plate only indicates where the private plate was first registered, not necessarily where the car was first registered.

Have you tried contacting Club Lotus, I often see people in their magazine asking about previous owners and car history.

Andy Graham
Lotus Archives

[mrpeugeot]

Hello Andy,

Yes, indeed - this is Adam. In fact, I now recall that I owe you an email response, and have finally gotten the chance to take a picture of my registration document. Please expect that shortly!

Dan - is 7279 yours? I'd love to drop by and see it sometime to see how the details compare to mine.

Thanks!

Adam

[StressCraxx]

Hello Andy,

Yes, indeed - this is Adam. In fact, I now recall that I owe you an email response, and have finally gotten the chance to take a picture of my registration document. Please expect that shortly!

Dan - is 7279 yours? I'd love to drop by and see it sometime to see how the details compare to mine.

Thanks!

Adam

Adam,
That would be great, or we could meet up somewhere too, such as Cars and Coffee. Mine is likely very different, with Super Safety interior. It's not very pretty, its overdue for a resto.
Regards,
Dan

[GreasC]

Hi there,

I am the Chris Greasley that owned UCP22 from 1974 for around 13 years.

I totally restored the car first on a new Lotus chassis and later on the Spyder chassis which was superior to the original. At the same time I fitted the Spyder front suspension wishbones.

I fitted the sliding spline rear drive-shafts and special high quality steel in-board shafts into the differential as the originals were constantly breaking. I also fitted the later alloy rear hub carriers which accommodated larger bearings. I changed the diff to 3.55 to lengthen the gear ratios but this certainly reduced acceleration. If I was doing it now I would certainly fit a 5 speed box and a 3.9 diff.

The engine was totally rebuilt by me using 15 thou oversized hepolite Pistons. The engine was fully balanced. The cylinder head was completely rebuilt with big valves and was gas flowed. I fitted brand new Dellorto carburettors.

A gas flowed exhaust manifold was fitted and an electronic fuel pump.

A fast steering rack was fitted with alloy mounting blocks which made the steering response even sharper. I fitted a tiny 10 inch steering wheel which made the steering very twitchy but I got used to it.

The wheels were Revolutions with specials adaptions to fit them to the hubs. I fitted flared arches at that time and resprayed the car in the embassy gold leaf colours which were used on the later Sprint versions.

I did all the work myself except the engine machining. I had and have no expert mechanical experience but I did do the mechanics on a club racing mini and simply enjoyed messing about with the car albeit on a limited budget.

I was offered the special registration number by a neighbour who worked in the police service and knew it was available.

I loved the car. I only sold it when I had 2 young children and was moving with my job to a new city. It would be impossible for me to use the car properly for years and so I sold it to a Japanise man from London. I actually though that it would have gone to Japan so am very surprised to hear it is in the States.

I still have the original workshop manual with my notes - kept for sentimental reasons.

In all the time that I owned it I was never really stranded with a defect. I was very very lucky that when the inboard driveshafts broke I was very close to home. I looked after it and it looked after me. Anyone who says that they are not reliable has not done some simply reliability modifications and had not maintained it properly. You cannot run an Elan without looking after it. If you don't wish to do that then you don't buy a Lotus.

I only picked up your note by accident. Nothing to do with Lotus whatever.

If you want to know anything else my e-mail if [email protected]

Regards

Chris Greasley

[Spyder fan]

Chris,
That's a great result for the current owner to find out so much information. I don't think he posts here very often these days, but bumping the topic in the hope of a response for you.

[mrpeugeot]

Yes, in fact Chris and I have been in touch since his post. He has been an incredible source of information about my car, and it has been wonderful to learn about the great care he put into restoring and modifying the car during his ownership.

[Spyder fan]

Yes, in fact Chris and I have been in touch since his post. He has been an incredible source of information about my car, and it has been wonderful to learn about the great care he put into restoring and modifying the car during his ownership.

Adam,
That's great news, sorry for butting in and bumping the topic. I was just concerned that Chris had taken the time to respond and that you may have missed out on an opportunity to converse.

Regards

Alan