S1 1/2
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A friend asked about a 1965 "series one and a half" Elan. He thinks they are very rare. I know about the S1 1500 the 1600 S1 and S2. I also know that Lotus used parts until they were gone, so cars at the changeover could have characteristics of both. I searched the site and could not find anything, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
Thanks,
Bob
Bob Bulfin
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
- bulfin
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The S1? is not an official designation (neither is S1) but is used by many of us to describe our transitional cars as Lotus upgraded from the 1600 to S2. The Type26register lists all the differences with their approximate chassis numbers.
Virtually the only change originally was the full width dash and the badge! My car still had the small front brake pads, the earlier drive train bolt spacings, rear lamps, window lifts and other things that I can't remember. But every car from 3900 to 4300 or so may differ from the final S2 and any other S1?!
Virtually the only change originally was the full width dash and the badge! My car still had the small front brake pads, the earlier drive train bolt spacings, rear lamps, window lifts and other things that I can't remember. But every car from 3900 to 4300 or so may differ from the final S2 and any other S1?!
Meg
26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
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Quart Meg Miles - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Bob, Does your friend have one that needs an engine? There was a guy on Craigslist looking for an engine for his early Elan that had been stored for years. It was in your area of the country.
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
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Certified Lotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Meg / Bob
I have 26/0538, tagged as a 1600, which I purchased from the factory in Dec. '63 and imported directly to Canada (eh) - mine had the smaller front brakes as well, I changed to the larger long ago but the rear drive shaft radial geometry is the larger diameter.
It has the full width dash and light vinyl (not black) interior door panels as well as individual tail lights (one each red and amber) on each side (not US style).
The evolution of the Elan was (still is) a bloody wonderment.
Bill
I have 26/0538, tagged as a 1600, which I purchased from the factory in Dec. '63 and imported directly to Canada (eh) - mine had the smaller front brakes as well, I changed to the larger long ago but the rear drive shaft radial geometry is the larger diameter.
It has the full width dash and light vinyl (not black) interior door panels as well as individual tail lights (one each red and amber) on each side (not US style).
The evolution of the Elan was (still is) a bloody wonderment.
Bill
Bill Rathlef
Vancouver Island, Canada
"Keep your stick on the ice, boys."
Vancouver Island, Canada
"Keep your stick on the ice, boys."
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Bill - Fourth Gear
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Bill wrote:Meg / Bob
I have 26/0538, tagged as a 1600, which I purchased from the factory in Dec. '63 and imported directly to Canada (eh) - mine had the smaller front brakes as well, I changed to the larger long ago but the rear drive shaft radial geometry is the larger diameter.
It has the full width dash and light vinyl (not black) interior door panels as well as individual tail lights (one each red and amber) on each side (not US style).
The evolution of the Elan was (still is) a bloody wonderment.
Bill
Bill,]
A picture (your first) of your dash published here in August 2009 shows a short (S1) dash with the optional glove box filling the gap to the passenger door frame. The S2 "full-width" dash was a veneered panel door to door with the glove box lid cut out of it! So your 1600 is a pure 1600 rather than another anomaly. There were some export variations in the panel colouring, I believe, and the lights had to conform to local laws.
I too changed the front brakes and just a few years ago was lucky to buy one of the last new sets of early rear disks from Kelvedon.
Meg
26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
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Quart Meg Miles - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1274
- Joined: 03 Oct 2012
Thanks to all who replied.
There is one for sale in Houston TX for around $26k - I don't know anything about the condition. My friend thought it would be worth a lot more because it was an S1.5 and was very rare. I'll let him know otherwise.
Bob
There is one for sale in Houston TX for around $26k - I don't know anything about the condition. My friend thought it would be worth a lot more because it was an S1.5 and was very rare. I'll let him know otherwise.
Bob
Bob Bulfin
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
- bulfin
- Second Gear
- Posts: 115
- Joined: 23 May 2012
Meg
The 1963 sales brochure that I bought the car from was for a 1500 - when I took delivery I was surprised that the car had a dash matching door on the fiber glass glove box. It was not an optional extra at the time.
The only options available at time of order were a tonaue cover, Radiomobile radio and Dunlop SP radial tires instead of bias ply - the tires wore out, as did the radio.
Cheers - Bill
The 1963 sales brochure that I bought the car from was for a 1500 - when I took delivery I was surprised that the car had a dash matching door on the fiber glass glove box. It was not an optional extra at the time.
The only options available at time of order were a tonaue cover, Radiomobile radio and Dunlop SP radial tires instead of bias ply - the tires wore out, as did the radio.
Cheers - Bill
Bill Rathlef
Vancouver Island, Canada
"Keep your stick on the ice, boys."
Vancouver Island, Canada
"Keep your stick on the ice, boys."
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Bill - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 709
- Joined: 05 Oct 2003
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