I'm looking at buying an S2, which I've found local to me at quite low mileage. The car seems in very good order, except for some concern I have over the paint. It is currently British Racing Green (L01 I believe), but it is showing a bit of red around the base of the windscreen, and a few places where the bonnet rubs.

The seller is the son of the original owner, and remembers the car being purchased by his father (in his mid-teens at the time). He says that the car has always been BRG, and cannot explain the red. He suggested two possibilities... one being that the primer was red, and the other the car being painted by Lotus at the factory (due to a lack of BRGs being available, and a need to fill orders). My S1 is Carnival Red, which bears a striking resemblance to what is showing through on the S2.

Is it possible that Lotus ever used a bright red primer, or that cars were repainted at the factory? This seems quite unlikely to me, but the rest of the car seems exceptionally original. I have not checked with the Lotus archives yet, but will give that a try as well.

Brandon

Hi Brandon

I have not seen any red prime under the top coats before. I have seen a number of S2's nakid that I undressed myself. That said your potential S2 could have been painted at the factory initially Red and repainted BRG for an order or painted by the dealer before it was first titled. If it matters to you then move on and find another there are quite a few around but you will pay a premium for an unmolested/unmodified S2 even in the U.S. where they still seem to be plentiful. Take a look at this White S2 Elan, it will show you what I have seen on a number of S2's from 26/4020 to 26/4997.

http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg179/landofooz/body%204275/

p.s. body numbers do not match the unit number or chassis numbers

Brandon,

I went over this car in detail, it is in excellent condition having been very well looked after, however, the car came in Red and was repainted way back in early life, not only that, it is a S1 not an S2, if you take a good look at the rear light cluster you will see signs of the original holes for the S1 lights and, check the chassis number, it shows as late S1.

S3 light cluster have been installed, you can still get the S1 lights from dealers, they are the same as my 1962 Elite.

I was interested in the car and made an offer as is and I would do the work but the chap was to difficult to deal with and wanted to much as it was.

I must say the paint job was done very well with all necessary bits removed, I know the chap who did the recent work very well, I am sure he will confirm the repaint to green. I do not think this will change value, a great original car other than the paint, but then how many 1964 cars have the original paint?

Paint the wheels and bumpers back to Silver and do not change anything else, go buy this time piece and come by Oakville some day!

Good luck!

Thanks Gary,

I would not have guessed that the cars were ever repainted at the factory. I do not have too much of an issue with the repaint, just with the unmolested vs. premium balance.


Thanks Alistair,

I had quite a good look over this car on Friday with one of the other members here. The seller let us take the car for a few hours (quite kind and trusting of him), during which we peeked underneath, inside etc. I certainly agree the car seems in very good and original order, but for a few oddities and age related issues. In particular we found that the left motor mount was sheered, and the right is not that far behind. Also, the temp gauge does not work, tachometer reads very high, starter likes to lock (as me how I know), headlights work intermittently, an exhaust hanger is broken etc. Plus the throttle cable is not correct (jury-rigged and exceptionally untrustworthy at the moment), and the tires (although they look almost new) are very old and deeply cracked at the base of the treads. Lastly there seems to be a slight knock coming from the left rear, but perhaps that is the new rotoflexes working themselves in.

I had not considered the car could be an S1, although the seller suggested this. I missed that the tail lights were S3 instead of S2, and did not look specifically at the chassis number. However, I thought that S1s had the separate glove compartment and black bezels on the gauges. This car has the full width “dashboard”, chrome bezels, and more gauges (I think) than my S1.

Thanks again for your input Alisdair. I am obviously interested in the car, but agree with you that the seller is asking too much. If I do purchase it, painting the bumpers and wheels will be first on the aesthetic “to do” list. Oakville is on the way home from work, so I’d be happy to oblige.

Brandon

Hi Brandon
So what was the unit number? did you get the body number?

Gary

Chaps,

I have it written down at home, will send to you tomorrow, if I recall it is a late 1964 hence the gauge, dash and other oddities, I was really interested due to build date as a late S1 and lettering is 1600, I was not so keen had it been a S2.

I am really disappointed in the fact that work still need to be done, the stuff you indicate should have been fixed, I know what the bill was for the repairs, yet not all that was needed was done. The tyres are totally crap albeit with great tread, another significant cost and, the seller said is was certified? Roto's if installed properly do not make noises!

Not sure where you are domiciled Brendon, would be happy to chat if you wish, early evenings 905 842 1928. Whomever purchase this car needs to keep it standard.