How much is it worth

[ukbob]

A family friend is over from south africa, and was telling us about her husband's fully restored a lotus series 1 (or "first series" or something?) from 1963. There were only 400 odd cars in that series made (if that sheds light on which model it was).

Its taken him 20 years, I remember seeing the car when I was a kid, and is now fully restored to an absolutely immaculate and flawlessly as new condition. Its taken him half his life, and no expense was spared to source and refurbish every part of the car back to its origional perfect condition.

The car is in absolutely MINT MINT MINT condition. She says the car is valuable, any idea what it might be worth today, in pounds?

[gary_tholl]

Well... In '63 Lotus made a few cars. The Elite had about 1050 series 1 and 2's made, but '63 would have been a series 2.

The Elan roadster was around in '63, but they made 2053 series 1 and 2's.

The Lotus Cortina was also built in '63 and they made 2894 of them.

It will depend on which one of these it is. That's assuming it's a road car.

Let us know which it is, and should be able to give you an idea of price. Although, if it is in that good of shape, it'll be tough to say for sure, as there aren't many like that around anymore.

Gary

[M100]

Go to

www.grouplotus.com/grp/grp_gallery.php?page=84

Pages and pages of Lotus cars, it could be worth anything from a few thousand upwards.

[UKBob]

Sorry guys, after I posted I realised what was missing - the model of car. It's an elan!

Whats a 63 Elan worth, in post restoration near factory mint condition? I dont have the milage, or much more info, sorry.

[tonywebb]

Hi Bob

Interestingly I have been having a lot of emails back and forth to SA over my own car which was out there. During all this I have corresponded with a chap who also has an early Elan in superb condition, I wonder if its the same contact?

Regards
Tony

[UKBoB]

tonywebb said:

Hi Bob Interestingly I have been having a lot of emails back and forth to SA over my own car which was out there. During all this I have corresponded with a chap who also has an early Elan in superb condition, I wonder if its the same contact? Regards Tony

Was his name Rick? And what was your car doing out there? And... any idea on its possible value (anyone?)

[Tuna]

Mint Elan? I'd guess 15K GBP - they're pretty little cars, but not uncommon, and quite 'easy' to restore, in that they're fairly simply constructed. My Dad is restoring a Europa and expects it to be worth around 10-15K when he's finished. Then he wants to get an Elan and do that.

[UKBoB]

Cheers Tuna. I guess with the South African exchange, what seemed like a very valuable car might isn't as valuable as I thought. I was thinking megabucks the way she was talking Still, its something to be proud of for sure.

[tonywebb]

Hi Bob

I have been away on business so only just got your message. No his name is not Rick but Frank, so it sounds like they are not one and the same person.

My car was raced out in SA during the 70's and 80's and I have been corresponding with the guys out there trying to get its history back together.

I must say they are a great bunch of Lotus enthusiasts and have networked among themselves to put me in touch with nearly everybody who had an involvement with my Elan. The engine builder even offered me the original exhaust manifold that was fitted to a very special engine in the car at one time, and said 'if ever you're passing call in and collected it, its yours'.

If anyone else needs info out of SA then contact the Lotus Register they are good guys.

Regards
Tony

[UKBoB]

Cheers for the reply Tony, couldnt help asking, its such a small world and all that

It must be great speaking to people who know all about your car from the days before you had it. Thanks again for the reply mate.