Is this 1991 Lotus Elan worth saving?

"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany) 07/20/2017 at 13:38 • Filed to: None

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My old HS friend owns it. Last ran two or so years ago. I see a track car...that is about it. I told her it is not worth the money to get it back on the road.

Amazing how much of the basic engineering design of Colin Chapman was still in this car.

Stapleface > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:41

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That’s pretty gnarly in the interior. I would want to strip all of that out. And I agree, track car only, provided a cage is installed.

duurtlang > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:42

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How much would a decent one be worth?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:43

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Why was it parked with the windows down?

random001 > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:43

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I would save it. But then I’m know to basically hate myself at times. But still, I would save it.

way2blu does a rev update > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:46

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Hmm... maybe I have different standards for “car” than you do, because I’d daily the snot out of that. Honestly, like strip out the interior to get rid of the ecosystem that’s developed there, drop in some cheap bucket seats from ebay, and GO.

Granted, it doesn’t rain much where I live. But I’d give that car a chance.

way2blu does a rev update > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/20/2017 at 13:48

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Maybe it doesn’t have them, #simplifyAndAddLightness

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:48

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I doubt it. Even if you gut the interior, you have a FWD car that weighs more than an NA Miata but without the support.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > way2blu does a rev update 07/20/2017 at 13:48

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I need to see it in person. She is a good friend so it isn’t like anybody is pressed or will get taken advantage of.

I hear you though. Strip and disinfect the interior, scoop some cheap aftermarket seats and some carpet by the foot and make it do what it do.

way2blu does a rev update > random001 07/20/2017 at 13:49

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It’s a lightweight manual car that you can add more lightness to by removing all the plant biomass. Seems like a no-brainer.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:50

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Maybe worth saving as a track car.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/20/2017 at 13:50

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Window regulator issues I hear. And being lazy about making sure the car cover stayed on.

Chariotoflove > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:50

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Spider. Nuke it. That’s the only choice now.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > duurtlang 07/20/2017 at 13:52

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I hear $8k-ish for a decent one. I actually expected more...

random001 > way2blu does a rev update 07/20/2017 at 13:53

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In truth, given the opportunity, I really would save it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:56

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LeMons car candidate. It would be a royal PIA to get everything back to a presentable and usable state.

yitznewton > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:57

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Cool Fallout screenshots bro

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/20/2017 at 13:58

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That is my thought if I can get it at a good price. It seems like it would be a AWESOME track car.

BeaterGT > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:59

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Good thing that spider has been guarding it. The plants growing inside made me laugh pretty hard, that thing will take some serious work.

way2blu does a rev update > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 13:59

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If a Lotus gets to do what a Lotus do, then your friend will have smiles for years. I call it en light enment.

Quick comparison: My blue 1991 MR2 weighs ~2800 lbs. I get the “driver face” silly grin every time I drive it. That Elan originally weighed ~2100 lbs. Say just under 2000 lbs if you clear out the plant matter and get bucket seats. That is 800 lbs less than my car. That’s approximately 30% less mass. Translates mathematically to about 50% more fun. Seriously worth the effort to fix it.

McMike > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:03

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Is it worth saving?

Oh god no.

“Saving” is relative. If you get it for free, maybe it would be a (as mentioned earlier) a LeMons car.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > yitznewton 07/20/2017 at 14:04

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Ugly ain’t it? This was my response when she sent me the photos of the interior:

Takuro Spirit > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:04

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You really don’t see these anywhere. I’d pick it up, clean it up, get it running and enjoy it if I had the means.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:04

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It looks like it might be time to start up an official Oppo LeMons team.

Mercedes Streeter > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:09

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I’ll give you like $100 for it lol

way2blu does a rev update > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/20/2017 at 14:11

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“Usable” is a relative term. If it’s good enough to get from A to B, then it’ll be good enough to bring miles of smiles.

“Presentable” isn’t an issue with a car like this. The driver will be too busy having the time of his or her life to care what others think of such a car.

I would daily it, but even as a weekend canyon & autocross car this is a brilliant vehicle. I agree that it would be a pain to restore it though.

E92M3 > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:14

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IMO no. Keep in mind most trackday organizers strictly prohibit convertibles. Some will allow them if they have an aftermarket roll bar. When I had my S2000 I couldn’t attend a good half of the ones in my area.

benjrblant > way2blu does a rev update 07/20/2017 at 14:15

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This is a complex and sophisticated formula. I approve.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:28

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Shame, would’ve been much easier to save otherwise.

duurtlang > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:33

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Given the condition this one is in, making it ‘nice’ won’t be worth the investment then.

Unless you’re able to find someone who’s parting one out, giving you access to a full interior. And bumpers.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > E92M3 07/20/2017 at 14:44

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Oh it would get the full interior strip and roll cage before it hit the track without question.

Thatredcar > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 14:58

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I think it’s worth it. I think these cars are pretty bitching. If you look at project cars from a understandable financial standpoint, they never make sense.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > way2blu does a rev update 07/20/2017 at 15:01

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My guess is that weather has damaged many components that would make it road worthy like blinker switches, head lights, ABS, windscreen wipers etc... that was my line of thought anyway. Otherwise condition if fine for daily duties. I could care less about paint and interior rot in a Capri.

way2blu does a rev update > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/20/2017 at 15:15

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Fair point, if it’s got vines instead of wires connecting the electronics then it might be more work to make street-able. Even then I’d still go for it, just jury-rig some wiring to put trailer lights and autozone turn signals on the back, and rally-style headlights on the front (assuming the pop-ups don’t work)

^Like that but a FWD Lotus. 10/10 still would daily

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 15:40

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If you’re getting a good deal on it ($0-$1500, IMO) and the engine isn’t blown/ seized, probably worth it?

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/20/2017 at 15:48

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That is it. It is really about the mechanicals. If the engine and trans are good and hydraulic parts are easy to source, we may have something that we can build on.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 16:20

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I guess if you want to build a cage and cockpit maybe a no passenger half windshield speedster. But it’s still FWD

Nauraushaun > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/20/2017 at 18:07

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Even as a track car it’s still fwd :(

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Nauraushaun 07/21/2017 at 11:03

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I can have plenty of fun tracking a FWD car. Especially a 2000lb Lotus one.

Nauraushaun > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/21/2017 at 22:01

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I think all the FWD-ness of it will be accentuated since you’re actually brushing up against the limits of what the car can do. Every time you mash the pedal out of a corner you’ll be punished with understeer rather than rewarded with oversteer.

Fun. But I’d rather any RWD car

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Nauraushaun 07/27/2017 at 08:51

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Thou doth protest too much my good man.

Tracking cars is like sex. Almost any car on the track is good IMHO, some are better than others. Some make you want to leave your wife.

Just like you say any RWD is preferable, I say any Lotus is preferable.

Nauraushaun > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 07/27/2017 at 09:32

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I see your point and you’re probably right

wafflesnfalafel > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 08/16/2017 at 13:57

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poor thing... treated badly - I think I’d put it out of it’s misery and donate it to a charity or something.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > wafflesnfalafel 08/16/2017 at 14:02

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I am torn. On one hand, it is in sorry shape. On the other hand...

CONVERTIBLE LOTUS.