N/A Elan and 340R - an eclectic mix!

[peteratsylvan]

After 2 years of Elise S1 ownership, followed by 6 years of 340R ownership (and around 15,000 miles covered in the roofless beast) I have just added a nice non-turbo Elan to the fun car collection. First registered in March 1993, three owners in total, and a full service history from Bell & Colvill who supplied the car new and to the second owner. I have been looking at M100s for about four years but haven't found a colour combination that Mrs W also liked, but this one is Black, with the grey/red leather interior and she really liked it! Therefore, it has been snapped up and immediately 'tested' with a weeks break in the West Country, adding the first 1000 miles to what I hope will be a lengthy partnership. Said trip to Devon also brought up the 60,000 mile mark but what an impressive little car the Elan is. More a tourer than racer, but the handling is remarkable for any fwd car, let alone one that is twenty years old. I'm very pleasantly impressed with the smoothness of the engine, as I wasn't expecting too much. Plus she is comfortable, and the boot takes a suitcase and more, the roof works (and only leaks a little) and the styling has aged well. I was initially concerned about the apparent width from reading contemporary road tests but a quick check shows that the Elan is actually not as wide as a current Fiesta. All in all, a brilliant and surely undervalued future classic - I'm glad I'm on board.

We'll get a few more miles on her then see what needs doing - I've read about the rusty rear wishbones but is there anything else to beware? And does anyone know how many of the 129 non-turbos were Black? I can find any mention of this anywhere.
Thanks for the excellent website, I suspect many hours will be spent here!

[Enright]

Welcome. Pics of the fleet are expected ASAP!
Meanwhile it's worth adding your location to your profile (to stop us from keep asking where you are) because you might quickly find that a like minded soul pops up to provide assistance.

[inkitin]

Hello and welcome.

what an impressive little car the Elan is. More a tourer than racer, but the handling is remarkable for any fwd car, let alone one that is twenty years old. I'm very pleasantly impressed with the smoothness of the engine, as I wasn't expecting too much. Plus she is comfortable, and the boot takes a suitcase and more, the roof works (and only leaks a little) and the styling has aged well.

That's one of the best summaries I've read and sums up my own views about our cars perfectly

[DABgp]

Hello and welcome.

what an impressive little car the Elan is. More a tourer than racer, but the handling is remarkable for any fwd car, let alone one that is twenty years old. I'm very pleasantly impressed with the smoothness of the engine, as I wasn't expecting too much. Plus she is comfortable, and the boot takes a suitcase and more, the roof works (and only leaks a little) and the styling has aged well.

That's one of the best summaries I've read and sums up my own views about our cars perfectly

[HJ2]

Hello and welcome.

what an impressive little car the Elan is. More a tourer than racer, but the handling is remarkable for any fwd car, let alone one that is twenty years old. I'm very pleasantly impressed with the smoothness of the engine, as I wasn't expecting too much. Plus she is comfortable, and the boot takes a suitcase and more, the roof works (and only leaks a little) and the styling has aged well.

That's one of the best summaries I've read and sums up my own views about our cars perfectly

Absolutely right, and welcome aboard!

[Rob P]

Not forgetting that the Boot also takes a large golf bag and an electric trolley which is some feat in itself for such a small car.

Welcome aboard, enjoy the ride and look forward to some piccy's of the fleet as previously mentioned

[dapinky]

Not forgetting that the Boot also takes a large golf bag and an electric trolley which is some feat in itself for such a small car.

It also holds a large tent, rest of the camping stuff, (including weeks worth of clothing AND 'proper' bedding - Obviously Angie was with me, otherwise it'd be a spare t shirt and a pair of swimming trunks) and 42 bottles of wine.......

....volume isn't an issue, but 'officially' there should be no more than 40Kg placed in the boot (as it's 'only' GRP, and not fully supported by the vehicle structure).

[Enright]

I've managed to fit a complete mountain bike in the boot. Obviously it had quick release wheels & seat, but the only other thing I had to do was drop the forks out and lay them alongside.

Oh and one one famous occasion I did a journey with a moderator in the boot. I'm sure the photo is still around somewhere...

[Denny]

....volume isn't an issue, but 'officially' there should be no more than 40Kg placed in the boot (as it's 'only' GRP, and not fully supported by the vehicle structure).

Oh and one one famous occasion I did a journey with a moderator in the boot. I'm sure the photo is still around somewhere...

Must have been a skinny Moderator

[Enright]

Well he was a bit more than 40kg, but he certainly wasn't a porker. Oh hang on, no offence intended to anyone called Dave!

[dapinky]

..... but he certainly wasn't a porker. Oh hang on, no offence intended to anyone called Dave!

Oi, I resemble that comment

[ailwyn]

..... but he certainly wasn't a porker. Oh hang on, no offence intended to anyone called Dave!

Oi, I resemble that comment

Pictures needed, and I don't mean of fat Dave(s)

[peteratsylvan]

Well, I have read, and re-read the 'how to post photos' instructions... there 'may' be two pics here, one of the Elan and one of the 340R. Hope they make it through the electronic maze...

And thanks for the welcome messages!

Peter

[rip]

I was initially concerned about the apparent width from reading contemporary road tests but a quick check shows that the Elan is actually not as wide as a current Fiesta. All in all, a brilliant and surely undervalued future classic - I'm glad I'm on board.

Most modern cars have become very bulky, heavy & in my opinion ugly. I believe much of the extra bulk is there to absorb energy in the event of an impact...& of course there will be more energy because the cars are bigger. It's catch 22

We'll get a few more miles on her then see what needs doing - I've read about the rusty rear wishbones but is there anything else to beware? And does anyone know how many of the 129 non-turbos were Black? I can find any mention of this anywhere.
Thanks for the excellent website, I suspect many hours will be spent here!

I think your best chance is a moderator named Dave...either Specky or Clemo. The latter is around from time to time but search parties have been unsuccessful locating the former.

Another area to check for rust is the outriggers (where the door sills are on metal-bodied cars). You can see these by peeling the carpet back. Capet often gets damp & is difficult to dry out properly.