Lotus Elan Central

by **Sy V** » Sat 14.10.2006, 11:42

Elan SE (and N/A) production began very slowly in November 1989 and ended in July 1992, reaching its peak in February 1991 (when 317 were built). Production was halted for five weeks in March/April 1992 before being restarted for the next three months.
Elan production for the UK was 1,994 cars. A total of 559 cars were built for the USA (the last in October 1991). Production for the RofTW was 1,302. Total production 3,855. (Edited by Sy - 15 Oct 06, who can't add up!)

Nov 89 - 8
Dec 89 - 6 Total 1989 - 14

Jan 90 - 11
Feb 90 - 18
Mar 90 - 25
Apr 90 - 46
May 90 - 80
Jun 90 - 102
Jul 90 - 103
Aug 90 - 93
Sep 90 - 172
Oct 90 - 198
Nov 90 - 184
Dec 90 - 254 Total 1990 - 1286

Jan 91 - 145
Feb 91 - 317
Mar 91 - 261
Apr 91 - 197
May 91 - 305
Jun 91 - 252
Jul 91 - 229
Aug 91 - 107
Sep 91 - 120
Oct 91 - 61
Nov 91 - 47
Dec 91 - 19 Total 1991 - 2060

Jan 92 - 117
Feb 92 - 102
Mar 92 - 60
Apr 92 - 0
May 92 - 95
Jun 92 - 47
Jul 92 - 74 Total 1992 - 495

Don't forget that there were 800 S2s built too.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 14.10.2006, 11:55

3855?

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 14.10.2006, 12:26

A pretty dramatic demise.

by **Sy V** » Sat 14.10.2006, 19:04

OK, a typo 3855 and I'll change the top figure now, to avoid any confusion...

by **Paul.P** » Sat 14.10.2006, 20:20

This is brill, do we know how many S2's were sold in the UK & therefore how many went to the ROTW ?

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 14.10.2006, 21:05

Gazza is collecting data for the S2 database. There are still a lot of holes but it should probably give an indication of the percentage that have gone abroad.

BTW Sy, where did you get the information from and could we get S2 data from the same source?

Geoff

by **Sy V** » Sun 15.10.2006, 06:29

My source was Appendix B of a book (which I had been led to believe was out of print) by Graham Robson. I had the figures verified (as best they could) by Hethel.
The book is 'Lotus Since the 70s - Volume 1: Elite, Eclat, Excel and Elan' first published in February 1993 (pre-S2 production, I'm afraid), ISBN No 0-947981-70-5. You may well have seen it and dismissed it as too generic a publication to bother with - I did, several times. But, there's one left here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Since-70s ... 29?ie=UTF8

...and PM (01527-835656) also have a copy in their parts department.

On first opening the book I went straight to the Elan section, of course. There appeared to be nothing in there that hadn't been stated in the Mark Hughes bible, but then I saw the Appendices, and Eureka, figures were there that I had never seen before. I'm sure someone will pipe up that they've got the book, but maybe they hadn't realised the importance of the figures included therein, with which I started this thread. Maybe the Appendices are a later addition to the earlier editions.
I think you'll guess that I haven't been as excited about a publication since I stumbled across the Training Notes that we now have, available to all members, in the 'Manuals' section.
What can we do with these figures/what do they prove though?
Well, on their own, not much I suppose but, my intention (if possible) is to super-impose the VINs and various changes/improvements which have taken place throughout the production run on to these figures - headlights from opera to pods, addition of hood restraint belt, heater positions increased from four to six, windscreen washer return valve moved from boot to under-bonnet etc.
I don't (as yet) know what it'll prove but it should give us all a deeper insight and appreciation into the development of our cars...maybe.

Sy

by **Gazza** » Sun 15.10.2006, 09:05

I was led to believe that out of the 800 S2's

450 were Rhd
350 were Lhd

I'm still along way from proving this.

Gary

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 15.10.2006, 12:51

Gary,

How many LHD/RHD have you identified so far?

I guess you've probably identified more RHD, unless you're checking "Le vendeur des autos" and "Das AutoVerkaufer" as well. Now, there's a thought! :wink:

Geoff

by **Sy V** » Mon 16.10.2006, 11:13

I've put together a crude history of significant Series 1 Elan events. I welcome any other input:

http://www.vickers.eclipse.co.uk/Elan%20History.xls

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 16.10.2006, 12:52

Good stuff Sy but you missed the colour of #459 - Vulcan Grey.

by **Sy V** » Mon 16.10.2006, 12:59

Thanks Geoff. Didn't spot that there were two VGs in the trials period

by **Specky** » Mon 16.10.2006, 18:57

Sy what about the M200.. :shock:

Did it start life as a series I..

TTFN

by **Sy V** » Mon 16.10.2006, 22:24

Yes, it was a Pacific Blue SE that was inadvertantly chopped. I may be able to trace its VIN and add that to the chronology. But it wasn't a pre-production car, it was a customer's car that was left at Hethel for some maintenance work. Stevens (?) was told he could bastardise the Blue Elan in such and such car park and took the wrong one.

by **Specky** » Wed 18.10.2006, 17:05

Sy V wrote: I may be able to trace its VIN and add that to the chronology.

Well Chop Chop.. :shock:

I know, I'll get me coat..

TTFN

by **rob_J** » Wed 18.10.2006, 20:41

Well damn me I must have one of the 1st 50! Mine was registered 12th March 1990

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