Hi all car freaks!
For anyone who does not know what an Elan is, well, it was what the first gen miata copied basically except the real Elan is about 800# lighter than the Miata. In their day they used to beat corvettes on race tracks that did not have a lot of long straightaways.
I am not sure how many times I have ever seen a lotus elan in the flesh...I don't recall ever seeing one on the street. I have seen a half dozen at the autocross events over the years.
The other day after lunch one of my lunch buddies told me he wanted to show me something. We drove over to another part of town and down a side street and there in a driveway behind a house was a rather decent looking Lotus Elan with a soft top and faded fiberglass. I said "cool! thanks for showing me this".
So today I drove over there and found some kids playing in the yard. I asked to talk to their mom or dad and they said "she's inside". So I rang the doorbell and presently the mom came to the door.
I introduced myself and told her I was the largest poster here on mercedes shopforum, gaining instant gravitas. (just kidding). I introduced myself and told her I had noticed the Lotus and could I talk to her husband about it.
She said sure. I handed her an envelope with my name and contact info in it.
She said he'd probably want to see my Lotus 7 too.
She said the motor is in Chicago being rebuilt. They have six kids...yikes! He has a huge row of tool boxes in the garage. I'm guessing that he makes good money based on the basic facts.
Its a nice complete looking car sitting in the driveway with large plastic kids toys stacked around and on it.
The red fiberglass looks pretty good but faded. The top is saggy but the interior looks good (what I could see of it).
Its probably the epitome of ideal sports cars for me. Tiny lightweight with razor sharp reflexes, a soft ride and cornering that cannot be beat.
As far as a place for it I could probably park it in the trunk of the Bonneville or the bed of the 39 Studebaker truck!