Elan Race History

[batfish]

I am trying to fill in the blanks in the history of Lotus Elan .
It was sold 5/8/64 and the first race date I have is the 3rd October 1964 at Silverstone. It was raced by Brian Sherwood from 64 to 67 in club racing often entered under the team Minilite banner. It was gradually modified and ended up with a fastback and faired in headlights.
I have a note saying that it may have been sold to an associate of Team Surtees in 1967 for use in European hillclimbing. It reappeared sometime in the 90s for sale at Dilton Marsh Garage, Westbury, Wiltshire but I have not been able to contact them to find out where it came from. By this stage it was red, had a normal hardtop and escort style wheel arches.
I purchased it in 2003 and after 5 years I am well on the way to completing the rebuild as can be seen in the fourth photograph
If anyone recognises the car and can give me any further details I would very much like to hear from them
Regards Andy

[trw99]

Andy

You might also like to post this request on the Autosport Nostalgia Forum, they are a very knowledgeable lot over there for racing history.

The link is: http://forums.autosport.com/forumdispla ... forumid=10

Tim

[FritzPasadena]

I'm afraid I can't help with the race history but that looks a cracking little car. Tim's right about The Nostalgia Forum, some real experts on there who helped me with the history on my Abarth a while back.

Best of luck.

[mrob]

Also check the Nostalgia Forum on AtlasF1.

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php

[batfish]

Thanks for the suggestions, I tried the nostalgia forum but the post sank rapidly down the order without any replies. Here is a couple of pictures of the car in action at Silverstone in either 66 or 67. Brian had spun and then had the nose taken off by a Cobra.
Regards
Andy

[elansprint71]

Andy,
I am correct in thinking that the photo at the start of the thread was taken after the accident damage had been repaired? The faired-in nose looks rather smarter than the arrangement in the sideways shot taken during the accident.

[batfish]

Pete

It could be that the crash photo is from early 66 but I have not been able to date it. The car is also pictured in the Chris Harvey book with the heading that goes something like '' some modifications where not always successful '' but the picture is from 1965 not the early seventies as stated.

regards

Andy

[elansprint71]

Pete

It could be that the crash photo is from early 66 but I have not been able to date it. The car is also pictured in the Chris Harvey book with the heading that goes something like '' some modifications where not always successful '' but the picture is from 1965 not the early seventies as stated.

regards

Andy

Ah yes! The four-headlamp job! Different set of arch profiles too. Somehow I think it looks best the way it is today.

[batfish]

Pete
You got me thinking about the dates and looking at the info I have got I now believe the crash photos were taken at a Nottingham Sports Car Club meeting at Silverstone in April 1966. The attached scan is from Autosport magazine and is a report of the 750 MC meeting at Silverstone 7th May 1966 and shows the car with a new style of nose.

It has taken 7 years to rebuild and should be finished this year.

regards

Andy

[elansprint71]

Andy,
It is worth persevering with the TNF route, there is a whole wealth of memory on there, the problem is getting the right old farts to see your question; threads whizz off the front page so quickly.
There are loads of Lotus folks over there but some of them are not frequent visitors. It might be worth asking your questions in other Lotus threads and linking to your own thread.

[batfish]

Finally finished after 9 years, many setbacks, lessons learnt and way over anticipated budget

[el-saturn]

.....................all I can say is CONGRATULATIONS!! a beautiful REBORN to be very proud of! alpine greetings from the great rain sandy 36 / 4982

[toomspj]

Looks nice, same colour as mine. Shame you're choosing to sell it rather than race it.
Paul

[warrenheath1]

Hi Andy
I had to write as in the first picture - the car behind is a Tornado Talisman that was in the same team. I now own this car and am currently restoring it. The paint scheme will be the same as your car - would be great to get these two cars back together at some stage.
Speak soon
Warren

[batfish]

Hi Warren

Will be in touch to compare notes but in the mean time here is photo of the 2 cars at Silverstone in 1965

regards

andy