Hard Top For Elan Sprint Dhc

PostPost by: 1964 S1 » Sat Jun 05, 2004 2:24 am

What's a z3 ?
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PostPost by: types26/36 » Sat Jun 05, 2004 7:42 am

I think the reference was to a BMW Z3 ? :(
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PostPost by: 1964 S1 » Sat Jun 05, 2004 6:03 pm

Oh, a zzzzzzzzzz3, yawn...
(I looked for a clickable smiley with tongue in cheek, but there wasn't one)
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PostPost by: elansprint71 » Tue Jun 08, 2004 10:02 pm

Doc,
Having now had meaningful debate on the benefits, or otherwise of hardtops, can I make the following observation: my Elan, on the few occasions that I have driven it with the canvas (double duck) roof on, is far noisier than when the roof is folded and even worse; I recently had a trip in a FHC and it was just too loud! I still want a detachable hard top but I don't know why.

Also, on the subject of Z3's, I would just love a Z3M- nothing less, as a daily driver, fat, ugly, a girly car but wow does it handle and go, also you can be reasonably certain that it will start every morning no matter what the temperature. Jim, my roof would always be down, even in Buxton in December!
I shall now retreat to the bunker again.

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PostPost by: steveww » Wed Jun 09, 2004 9:31 am

I have a very nice Z3 2.8 with all the kit inc hard top for sale at the moment if you are interested?
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PostPost by: 1964 S1 » Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:08 am

Hello Steve,
speaking as a sarcastic car dealer, isn't trying to sell a Brake My Wallet on a Lotus web page hopeless?

...and while I'm on the subject, to someone who owns an elansprint71, whaddya thinkin??? what's a ZZZ3M cost? how much is your car worth? OK, I'll take your Lotus.
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PostPost by: dmreeceuk » Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:18 am

Rather a Z3! You must be kidding They have got to be the worse handelling roadster ever. Look at the press. It was treated as a joke. Infact I got a magazine suplement of the essential sportscar from Car magazine Best 1, Prosche 911,2 etype 3. Elan. Worst Delorian and Z3!! Im glad they learnt their lessons with the Z4 which seems much better.
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PostPost by: pereirac » Sun Jul 04, 2004 10:18 pm

If a 911 came out best, I assume they did not mean one of the same vintage as the Elan in the wet!! :)
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PostPost by: PATTENDEN » Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:27 pm

Not sure if the debate about hard tops has been bottomed out ,if not you may like to know that there used to be a 'Lenham' made hard top (a sports car dealer & maker of the Sprite body kit etc near Maidstone ) They may still make them .The shape virtually was the same as the FHC car or the hood ,take your pick .Each one has to be fitted to your car as they somehow are all different ! They HT drums more than the hood but make for a snug car in the winter if your car is a 'user' for going to work etc .I did not realise how much noise they make however until the entire top lifted off mine when the retaining hooks clamped to the folded hood frame straightened out at lets say 70 mph .All was suddenly peaceful .The top landed on the central reservation was, surprisingly undamaged but the plastic rear window had come out
I suspect that this means it generates +ve lift which would negate any suggestion of handling improvement .I must be insensitive as I did not notice any handling difference from the hood
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PostPost by: pereirac » Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:51 pm

Funny, that happened to my bonnet many years ago. Luckily the motorway was not too busy. Apart from a little crazing the bonnet was undamaged...
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PostPost by: PATTENDEN » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:07 pm

I phoned Lenham Sports Cars (01622 859570) as I live nearby .They appear to also call themselves Lenham Glass Fibre as well.The person I spoke to said they no longer make the Elan hard top. He didn't volunteer whether they had sold the mould to anyone else or could be persuaded to make a limited run if sufficient demand existed .
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PostPost by: steveww » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:55 pm

I may have already mentioned this but ... TTR list hard tops for all Elans 1,2,3,4
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PostPost by: pereirac » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:02 pm

I have just discovered that you can still get Lenham hardtops for the Elan. It appears the original molds still exist.. :D

I have contacted the company for prices. If you are interested email me and I will let you have the information as soon as I get it (or I will just post it up here...)
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