Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Just to say hello to all the other lotus nuts out there.
John.

Welcome John!

Welcome, what car do you have? Pictures appreciated...

Welcome!

Hi
My elan is a 1963 S1 chassis number 181 rebuilt from a very bad basket case in 1989-1995.
Bit new to this, not figured out how to put pictures into the system (not good with electronic devices)!!!
Regards John.
PS. just noticed 'Upload attachment' at the bottom!!! pictures to follow (hopefully)!!!

Welcome John.

A tutorial for uploading photos is in the Website Questions & Suggestions section.
You could also the procedure out in the Test Section.

Hi,
Photos of elan S1 chassis number 181 attached.
John.

Beautiful!

Great looking car.

moxog5 wrote:Hi
My elan is a 1963 S1 chassis number 181 rebuilt from a very bad basket case in 1989-1995.
Bit new to this, not figured out how to put pictures into the system (not good with electronic devices)!!!
Regards John.
PS. just noticed 'Upload attachment' at the bottom!!! pictures to follow (hopefully)!!!

Hi I had an Elan with that number plate, looks different now in early 70's It was owned by Tara Browne (Guinness Heir) I resprayed it red it was green before. The engine was bored out to 1650cc, The flared arches and wider wheels was added by friend of mine. Never raced it but it went round brands hatch a few times.

Welcome Barnett, and Happy New Year to you and everyone.

Interesting post as your car looks like it had a S2 wide dashboard.and possibly late S2 rear lamps..Would you remember such details?

The rear lights was changed and Hillman Hunter lights were fitted. I don't remember the dash being altered but thinking back a long time I thought the passenger side was just a recess. I think the friend who had it before me was trying to update it. If only you knew then what you know now .

There's no such thing as Chassis Number 181; the Vehicle ID is the number stamped or inscribed on the ID plate in the engine compartment near the windscreen washer bottle.

Officially the 'chassis' is a sub-frame, the structural strength of the Elan comes from the combined strength of the body and sub-frame bolted together.

Your vehicle ID is possibly 26/0181

Barnett wrote:

moxog5 wrote:Hi
My elan is a 1963 S1 chassis number 181 rebuilt from a very bad basket case in 1989-1995.
Bit new to this, not figured out how to put pictures into the system (not good with electronic devices)!!!
Regards John.
PS. just noticed 'Upload attachment' at the bottom!!! pictures to follow (hopefully)!!!

Hi I had an Elan with that number plate, looks different now in early 70's It was owned by Tara Browne (Guinness Heir) I resprayed it red it was green before. The engine was bored out to 1650cc, The flared arches and wider wheels was added by friend of mine. Never raced it but it went round brands hatch a few times.

I know the current owner. I don't think he frequents this site that often, but I'll let him know that you posted the pictures.

Just a few words about elan S1 500GXM
I acquired chassis 181 in the late eighties, it was a chassis and body with a dozen or so boxes of bits.
The body was 'painted' black with big wheel arch extensions and so many gel coat cracks and bad accident repairs I did wonder what I had bought!!
The chassis at first sight looked OK, closer examination showed stress cracks so it was replaced.
Every mechanical item on the car was worn out and needed replacement or a rebuild.
All the interior apart from the tunnel cover had to be made or sourced.
And was ten plus years of hard work worth it? oh yes.
Even today driving the car makes me smile.
As has been said in the past on a nice country road the elan can average 50/60mph without ever exceeding 70mph!!!
Every body keep on driving.
John.