M100 Prices - What do you think?

[Buckaroo]

Crikey. When I have time, I'll read that.

[terry randall]

Some very valid points Buckeroo & a few imponderables. As you say,a lot depends on how repairable they are if they rot. The 60’s elan was quite a feasible rebuild but I don’t know about the M100. Do we have a knowledgeable club member who has taken the body to bits and rebuilt one? But not let’s get too pessimistic. There are plenty of 20 yr. old SE’s still looking good even if we don’t know what‘s lurking beneath the fibre glass. It would be interesting to know if decay is badly affecting the torsional stiffness of the body. But surely we’re in a different league to the old Vivas? The reson they are so rare is that they didn’t last for 5 minutes! At Vauxhalls in the 60’s they were my stock run around. Within 4/5 yrs., front wings were shot ( no wheel arch liners then) and the chassis needed plates welded on all over the place. But the 60’s were bad all-round. Jap cars were rust buckets and a Fiat X-19 I had in the garage had more english than italian metal trying to keep up with the rot
Some of the problem was caused by cheap recycled Russian steel which rusted to bits after stretching in car body presses. Also it was a steep learning curve of how to make good monocoque bodies and rust protection wasn’t so great then either.
So, what’s the solution for the M100’s ? The average garage is still prone to the prevalent english damp weather creeping in. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of the emperor Caligulas book on how he treated his horse Incinatus. We need to sleep beside the beasts and get the servants to cover them with purple blankets !

[rip]

Do we have a knowledgeable club member who has taken the body to bits and rebuilt one?

Yep, but not me...

So, what’s the solution for the M100’s ?

Something strong & light which does not corrode... Carbon Fibre is a possibility.

[terry randall]

FANTASTIC -- REVOLUTIONARY -- TOTALLY NEW -- ' THE SOLUTION '

Cartrek’s Galvocreep boldly goes where no other product goes.
The perfect answer to Elan body rust problems.
Invented and developed by Dr. Magari, a metallurgical associate member of the RHS, Cartrek’s Galvocreep works like a systemic weedkiller that spreads through the whole plant. Just one tin of Galvocreep poured under the damp carpet in the driver’s footwell gradually, in a few days, spreads over the whole steel chassis, removing rust and replacing it with a perfect layer of galvanised zinc.
No need for labourious body shell removal or Rip’s costly new carbon fibre chassis replacement.
Not available in the shops. Limited supply only available to LEC members.
Cost and supply dates to be announced on this thread only.

Caution. You are advised to first remove the engine and gearbox as zinc plating pistons, crankshafts and gear trains is known to impede the performance of engines and other moving parts

[Buckaroo]

I am glad I made that throwaway remark about tub corrosion.

With or without it, the key to price is desirability, which will mean demand.

A forum that welcomes newbies is a useful start, the Elan starring in Bond or even Dr Who would be even better.

[theelanman]

mmmm......not really going anywhere this topic......

the prices are what they are....we're not in it for the money....
we've got these cars because of what you get....handling, open top motoring and performance.........

[Steve A]

M100 Prices - What do you think?

Unless your going to talk up there value it's goner go down like a fart in a space suit, with most level headed owners
can't see many saying their car is worth less ?

[terry randall]

Hmmm….I’m not so sure its going nowhere. Seriously, of course you can’t put a price on the pleasure you get from driving or owning an Elan However, we all probably invest a good deal of time maintaining and servicing them and even making worthwhile improvements to the engines, suspension and bodywork. No one wants there to be a real problem lurking that will undermine the integrity and ultimately its major value. But if, and only if there is remedial work to be done then who better to get to grips with it than LEC ?

[peteoddcar]

I have just found this thread.. I am amaaaazed about some of the comments.
All M100's were a product of a great deal of hard work, innovation, and skill. I know I was on the team that brought it into being.I have number 99, an SE ( not fashionable to call the early cars by their number) - its a prototype really - but the finish (for a prototype) is superb and drives just like the prototypes I remember. My personal favourite was a BRG NA preprod unit which did lots of durability mileage at Millbrook and Hethel. I cant remember the reg number.
HAVING SAID THAT - all cars have upwards of 5000 unique parts ( covering the model range) so its bound to be a lot of hard work.
Cars as a hobby / pastime / interest work well.

Cars as an INVESTMENT are not very reliable --- Sometimes it works - Sometimes it does not.

[Specky]

Can I have a crazy guess on the reg please...

It might trigger those grey cells...

Car 451

RHD

N/A

Green

B479 RDX

TTFN

[theelanman]

Cars as a hobby / pastime / interest work well.

Cars as an INVESTMENT are not very reliable --- Sometimes it works - Sometimes it does not.

[terry randall]

GALVOCREEP Update

Due to the slight carcinogenic proprties of this product sensible precautions should be taken for 6 months following application ( see photo for help )

[terry randall]

Back to the link between rusting and its affect on prices of m100's.
There appears to be a main chassis assembly which forms the central backbone of the car. Then also a structure formed from composite materials with a metal framework of outriggers, A & B posts all bonded together, basically the floor area of the car. I've seen some pictures of badly rusted bits in this assembly. The question is how much of this rust may be due to water ingress into the cabin which is known to be problematic in some cars? If someone like Specky, who I believe is fairly knowledgeable in this area, could comment on how much corrosion is likely to be from inside & outside of this assembly it would be helpful in putting together a consensus opinion on this matter. I think a bonded assembly of mixed materials will probably require some serious thought on any remedial action necessary.

[terry randall]

Sorry to but in on Nickydee and there's only on f in Geof Smith little spat but as an ex-Vauxhall man couldn't let things go amiss. It would appear to me that Bugatti cars was founded in 1909 in Alsace but Vauxhall were making marine engines in London from 1857. ( The name probably relates to one Fulke's Hall that dates back to about 1200 ) Vauxhall car manufacture did indeed start in 1903 ( no i was not there then, a bit later!)

[terry randall]

The Galvocreep production girls would like to wish all LEC members a merry Christmas for 2010 and hope that their little M100's are safely tucked away in their stables



The manager is not going to let the girls get one up on him !

[steve matthews]

Terry or somebody QUICK how do I print out this



[/quote]

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Right Click on the picture and select save picture as and give it a home.

Open it in your paint/photo program and print.

It is fairly small, so maybe Terry can give you a link to the original photo?

[steve matthews]

Thanks, xmas party tonight and this will be going with me
Steve

[terry randall]

They're too shy to be over exposed Steve. They know what some members do with their avitars !

[steve matthews]

You assume the worst
Just because I'm in love with Rip's and again Peckhs old avatar
doesn't mean a thing
Steve