New Member

[RobertS]

Hi All,

My daughter has taken my MINI convertible on 'long term loan', so I have the perfect excuse to waste some of her inheritance on another car! I fell in love with a Norfolk Yellow Elan for sale with Paul Matty last summer, but it was snapped up quickly. Two currently for sale, one on eBay for just under 10k, and an S2 on Cars and Classics for £12,500 - would be interested to know if anyone has any knowledge of either of these two?

Many Thanks,
Rob

[dapinky]

Hi Rob, and welcome to LEC.

An elan would be (or actually, is!) perfect for all those nice roads down on the Gower when the tourists have gone home.

When you mention that here is one on Ebay, I assume you mean https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255329267599 ... SwNbNhmLwZ

If so, my observations would include things like, it looks like a tidy SE in a great colour......

...... but would go on to say things like, it has been quite heavily "modified" during it's life.

Now, I don't usually have a problem with anyone doing whatever they wish to their own car, but even I would probably be a little hesitant to take this one on because there are many 'claims' but no details of the work that has been done.

Have a look at viewtopic.php?f=18&t=28846#p368807 for a bit of an idea of what I mean....

The one on C&C (this one? - https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1403737) I know nothing about, but it looks good. As a one owner car, with full Lotus service history and evidence of recent cambelt change it should be pretty much ready to go with absolutely nowt to worry about. I see from the MOT history that there may look like a few "issues" to sort out, but there is nothing on the advisories which would worry me, as it is fairly standard for a car which isn't used regularly, but is maintained. (and all easily addressed for no cash outlay!).

If it were me, I'd be straight up to Leicestershire to have a look at it, with a view to bringing it home.

How 'fixed' are you on the MN colour? _ I know it can often be a major requirement, but sometimes is just a 'wish' item...

....I only ask because I know of a nice Steel Blue SE for £7, and an Azure Blue for the same sort of price - both for sale by enthusiast owners and currently on Facebook......

....... but neither are a Yellow S2, which is often seen as the 'Holy grail' of Elans

[RobertS]

Thanks for taking the time to look at these, and the comprehensive reply.

I agree totally with your opinion and advice, the 'boy racer' one was never a real contender, but the one owner S2 is so tempting!

Yes a yellow,one owner S2 with low mileage is the 'holy grail', but even at £12,500 - I think it might need need some money spending due to it's recent lack of regular use. It would then become an investment which you are afraid to use and 'spoil'.

I assume the two for sale on FB, are in the M100 Owners and enthusiasts group, I have sent a join request. Having had a Horizon Blue MINI for 10 years I fancy a change of colour, but who knows.....

[dapinky]

Yes a yellow,one owner S2 with low mileage is the 'holy grail', but even at £12,500 - I think it might need need some money spending due to it's recent lack of regular use. It would then become an investment which you are afraid to use and 'spoil'.

I think it's always safe to assume that any new car will need something spending on it - that way, if it doesn't, it is a bonus!

I would expect it to need a brake strip/clean/grease/rebuild, a check/adjustment of the rear wheel bearings, and a bit of a 'general going over'...... if you are reasonably handy with basic tools there is nothing to worry about with the brakes and wheel bearings .... and often the bearings (which are adjustable in about 10 minutes per side, including whipping the wheels off) are okay, but an MOT tester thinks they are loose - the tolerance in the Workshop Manual makes them 'feel' loose when they are correct.

I strip, grease and refit my brakes in about an hour for all 4 corners every Spring (and did one for Clemo on the grass at Castle Combe last year as it was a bit "sticky"). If the callipers need work, they are straightforward to do - but many people will tell you to upgrade them to better units anyway.

I assume the two for sale on FB, are in the M100 Owners and enthusiasts group, I have sent a join request. Having had a Horizon Blue MINI for 10 years I fancy a change of colour, but who knows.....

One of the ones on that group is owned by the guy who runs the group, and the other is by a respected member...... personally, I love Azure Blue, but dislike Steel Blue, but each to their own! (NMY always looks good though!)

[EricD]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news RobertS but I bought that yellow S2 in Leics a couple of weeks ago and am picking it up next week. I was waiting till I got it home before I posted on here as a new owner.

I'm practically soiling myself in anticipation - even more so after the above critique.

[RobertS]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news RobertS but I bought that yellow S2 in Leics a couple of weeks ago and am picking it up next week. I was waiting till I got it home before I posted on here as a new owner.

I'm practically soiling myself in anticipation - even more so after the above critique.

Thanks for letting me know - I actually don't feel too bad now as I now know that it was sold before I saw the add - I can imagine how you feel having what must be one of the very few 'one former owner' Elans out there - as for me, my quest continues!

[EricD]

Good luck.

I've been looking for an S2 for a while. Certainly best to be patient for what you want and not to jump in. There was one in an auction in December which looked great and I was really keen on but close up it just looked like it had been patched up and touched up quite slapdash ready for auction. I'm no mechanic so will be availing myself of Bell & Colville and taking on that one at the auction was a step too far. I like the look of the blue one #473 advertised over in Norfolk (which was previously advertised through South West Lotus in Devon at the same price). Possibly the best quality one on the market at the moment, but at a price that reflects that.

[MackieRM]

Welcome and enjoy the forums!