New Member in Paris looking for an Elan Sprint (in Europe)

PostPost by: Jeff6656 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 9:46 pm

Hello everyone,

new here and I guess as many new members here to find fellow lovers of the Elan and share some knowledge.

I'm 33 and I always had a passion for cars of all sorts and particularly to sport cars. For me the Elan is exactly how it should be, light, simple, efficient and fun to drive.
I live in Paris at the moment but lived as well in Spain, Ireland and England.

I am looking now to realize my childhood dream with an Elan Sprint to cruse on weekends on classic road mainly (no racing.... at least at the moment) (I do Karting X30 on the side)

There is so many different choices when you actually want to buy one that I hope to find here people who can share their experience and knowledge abut those cars.

Hope to see you soon at the wheel of an Elan.
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PostPost by: el-saturn » Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:47 am

welcome to the gang!! here you'll find all kinds of help. there's various types of elan owners: purists, racers, restorers and even ratcar elans (messy and hardly streetworthy) - some elans never get real fresh air!! the dhc and fhc you must have clarified, you must have a budget (you usually get what u pay for), the body (rear lights make a big difference imo ) AND the big difference is the hp you want to invest in (a real expensive hot and complete engine is 30000$ e.f.), bodyjob 10grand, good suspension and exhaust system 4 grand etc, etc... everything you need to know is here @ lotuselan.net -- have fun sandy (in switzerland)
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PostPost by: Mazzini » Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:50 am

Welcome to the forum :-)

If you're ever in the UK, you'd be welcome to try one of my Elans.
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PostPost by: S3FHC » Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:15 am

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you find a suitable Sprint :D

Mark
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PostPost by: Jeff6656 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:29 am

Thanks guys, really glad to see such enthusiasm!

I would like a DHC with a budget around 30k?.
I am looking for an original one, with the minimum modification and the mini mum work to be done. No need to be prefect but as I?m a city guy with no space to create my own workshop i?d need a very reliable one for weekend use.

Any advice on what realistic budget I should look for and which specialist to contact is welcome.

I have seen one restored to new by Paul Matty but they are asking 58k?!!!! A bit too much ;)

I often come to UK so see you soon guys.

Best,

Jeff
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PostPost by: Europatc » Wed Feb 14, 2018 12:32 pm

Welcome Jeff, I hope you find what you are looking for. Take your time looking
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PostPost by: nmauduit » Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:56 pm

Welcome - bienvenue !

the search of ones dream car can be a life quest, and the journey to be enjoyed as much as the eventual goal which includes to keep it on the road : this forum is certainly an invaluable asset for all these aspects.

I'm east of Paris and you'll be welcome to try my elan one of these days when spring returns (and I have time and momentum to do the yearly maintenance) ... though it's "only" a s4se and FHC, I actually like better FHCs in many cars, for the purity of the body lines : one topic to discuss...

Nic
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PostPost by: trw99 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:12 pm

You don't say if you want LHD or RHD. This might suit: https://www.oldmotorco.co.uk/lotus-elan-sprint

Tim
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PostPost by: jimj » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:15 pm

?30k won`t buy a top class DHC Sprint but I know this to be a sound car; https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912331 . The paintwork is actually better than the description on his website and I know the seller a bit and he seems a straightforward sort.
Jim
As I was typing Tim added the above.
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PostPost by: Jeff6656 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:58 pm

Nic, Thanks for the message, we should definitely meet when the weather gets better. I have a lot to learn and always love to hear people who knows their car.

Tim and Jim, that?s exactly what i?m Looking for. LHD but not against a RHD.

Any issue with FHC concerted ?

In your opinion, how much cost an orgininal Sprint DHC freshly restored ?

Thanks to all
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PostPost by: jimj » Thu Feb 15, 2018 11:04 am

Issues with an FHC to DHC conversion? Not really if done properly, on this car you can`t tell apart from the VIN plate, but it does affect the price. ?30k seems fair.
Your other question re. the price of a fresh restoration Sprint to original spec. These days you`re looking at close to ?50k, maybe more for a perfect car.
There`s this one at a fair price; https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/lotus/elan/232255 though I don`t know why he didn`t give the interior a good clean. Dirty boy. It`s not original, Spyder chassis, roll bar, belts, naff radio, radiator, etc. and he says "it`s not concours" but it looks pretty good from the photos. I can`t see you finding one as good for much less.
For a LHD car your best chance is the U.S. but that probably means buying the car unseen. They are cheaper there, enough to cover the cost of shipping, but a U.S. car will be on Strombergs, if that matters, and an original Sprint will have the dreaded emission pipework.
Jim
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PostPost by: Jeff6656 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:01 pm

That car seems legit. I will give a call. I?d prefer a European one so RHD is no issue. Love the color on top of that.
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PostPost by: 512BB » Thu Feb 15, 2018 5:55 pm

'Issues with an FHC to DHC conversion?'

Well one of the issues is that they are extremely difficult to sell, because anybody who knows anything about Elans and the market place, does not want to buy an Elan that has had its roof cut off. The current vendor has had the car an age because of that fact.

I recall another chop top Sprint a couple of years ago, that was offered for sale on Ebay. That also did not attract any serious bids, and was relisted many times before it sold.

Buyer beware.

Leslie
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PostPost by: types26/36 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 6:04 pm

Sprint on auction here although probably a bit more then you want to pay, auction is on March 3rd 2018 at Ascot Racecourse.
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auct ... s4-sprint/
Brian
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PostPost by: Jeff6656 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:22 pm

What are your thoughts on this one:
https://www.autoscout24.fr/offres/-2feb ... 50040a68ae
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