whereabouts of 71 S4FHC-federal spec-Lotus yellow

[mwhitaker]

Hello All,

I am trying to find the whereabouts of my deceased father's 71 Lotus Yellow Elan S4SE FHC-US specs- purchased new by my da in Aug 71 in Tring, England from Wright 7 Wright Motors who were the dealer for US spec cars in England at the time. The car went to Germany then back to the US in summer 74 to Northern Virginia where it remained until being sold in Spring 1989 to a gent living in Washington, D.C.
Build date was Nov 1970 and new style VIN would be 7011--0033J. The missing build numbers would prob be 21-24 according to Andy Graham at Lotus Archives. He has no further subsequent owner info, only minor details prior to my dad's purchase. I tried lotuselan registry.com w/o success. The local Lotus clubs have no info. I have thought about trying to contact any S4 owner listed in Lotus,LTD listing but have not as of yet. I thought maybe this would be worth a shot. Thanks for your time/consideration.

Mark Whitaker
69 Elan S4DHC
45/8396

[pharriso]

Mark, I run the Federal Sprint register, but also record any S4s with xxxxJ or K Vins; Unfortunately 0033J has not been recorded in the last 10 years or so - it is MIA.

[mwhitaker]

Hi Phil,

Thanks so much for your response. I knew you were doing the Sprint Registry but didn't know about the later S4! I figure the car is long gone, prob a wreck, donor, or other. I was always going to buy it from my dad, but school, life, etc got in the way and I waited too long. My current French Blue 69 DHC will keep me busy for sure, plus it brings back all the great memories of my dad's car. Love your Pistachio Sprint by the way.

Cheer, Mark

[tomjones20194]

You might try posting in the local Washington DC area club.

http://novalotusclub.freeforums.net

Hope you find it.
Regards,
Tom

[Bill]

Mark
I have 0035/J, a71FHC, yellow that I have as a project
Close but no cigar .

Bill

[mwhitaker]

Hi Guys-

Thanks for the interest/replies. Phil- have sent you a PM.

Tom, I thought about that but since there are only about 3 Elans in NOVA and I have asked Bob Collum about it I figured it was prob a dead end. Did talk to Phil Mitchell of DC branch-Lotus LTD about it. He was at the last GYLO event at katies last month-nice guy. I hope your Elan refurb is coming along. Mine will be due for diff work, prob bearings and propshaft u joints-hopefully not gearbox tailshaft-when I can manage it.

Bill, your car is so close- I think I saw it on the elanregistry list when I put mine on. Same color as my dad's and a FHC too! I always though they were such pretty cars-nicer looking than the DHC. I hope your project goes as you want it to-sort of never ending with these cars.

Thanks, Mark

[Bill]

Mark
I am also the original owner of a 63 S1 (26/0538) that I s my favorite - the Sprint coupe was partly restored over 20 years ago- Spyder Frane and body work/paint - lots to do - likely a Zetek and all the reassembley to do still

Good luck with your search

Bill

[mwhitaker]

Thanks Bill,

You must have some great stories as the original owner of an S1-the purest of them all. Your Sprint project with the Spyder frame and Zetec motor et al sounds very cool as well. Keeps you going with stuff to do during the cold Canadian winters no doubt.

Merry Christmas, Mark

Mark Whitaker
69 ElanS4SE DHC
45/8396

[Bill]

Mark
Yep, the type 26 is pretty cool!
Vancouver Island does not have ?Canadian ? winters - it?s nice and warm here (but wet) and I am spending my day selling Xmas trees from my farm for the Salvation Army.
I hope to get to the FHC this winter- finally - the dirty work was done by the DPO- it?s all an assembly job now- the fun part!!

Merry Christmas to you too!!!

Bill