Restore or Modify my Elan

An age old question, but alot has to do with what you start with I believe. I'm struggling with that right now. My '64 early Series 2 Elan is already modified. It has a non-stock Spyder chassis, Spyder suspension, Spyder roll bar, flared fenders, Panasports,etc. and is missing some stock trim, etc. It can certainly be brought back to stock with part sourcing, reversing the fender flares, etc. but is it economically the right thing to do, or is it the fun thing to do?

I can continue the modifications, but put the original badging back on the car to make it a restomod, and make it more fun for everday driving. Easy to do is an alternator, electronic ignition, CV rear axles, aluminum radiator, new exhaust, H4 headlights, etc. Since the car runs good I wouldn't think about engine mods at this time, however it already has a later Big Valve, High Comprtession, head on it with a headers.

I'm leaning toward having fun with it and doing the modifications, but everytime I see a nice restored car I want to bring it back? Got lots of time to think about it over the Winter.

So, what would you do?

IIRC the Spyder chassis is actually a very beneficial "mod" (the reason for the chassis' continued existence is that most of the original ones are rusted out) and at least the Lotus aficionados I talked to in the UK wouldn't exactly see this as a mod in the first place.

I'd continue the mods, the car is already modded anyway and you'd just spend a lot of money turning it back into a stocker. It's not like there are not stock Elans left, so I'd look into making it what you want it to be instead of what Lotus wanted it to be 46 years back.

A lot of your mods are hidden and tastful... except for the flares. I say ditch the flares, unless they of 26r type, and keep the rest as is.

The keyword in your question is "economically". In that sense, go totally back to total stock; that brings the most bucks.

Your decision needs to be based on whether this car is an investment (meaning you want to recoup as much of your money possible at sale time), or just for having fun and money is not an issue. To remove the flares is not trivial or cheap, nor is returning the chassis and related suspension parts to stock. The Panasport wheels are a widely accepted and welcome addition to any Lotus. They are period correct, light and round. I monitor the market for Elans and Europas quite closely. What I find, is that cars with body modifications are a much harder sell than ones without. You appeal to a much smaller buyer base. That said, it only takes one person to buy your car, but it needs to be the right one. I think the Spyder modifications are well received by some, and not by others. Personally, I would rather see a stock car with some performance enhancements that are not externally obvious. A sleeper if you will. Just as a reference, there was a newly restored Series 1 Elan that sold on ebay recently for almost $40K. A modified car would never see that kind of money. Since your car is already at a point of being modified, it might make sense to leave it that way and have fun with it. Just my $.02.

If you are keeping it long term, do whatever makes you the happiest. If you are concerned about value, you need to compare the cost of putting it back to stock versus the estimated increase in value. I'd like to see a good picture of it, just out of curiosity, to see what you are talking about.

When I dream of owning an Elan, it's almost never stock. It happens nearly every night, so I almost never see one in factory original trim.

I agree with the others; unless you're looking to sell it, I'd build it to suit my individual tastes. And I'd love to see pictures.

Okay, I plan on keeping this car for a long time. Of the 50+ (more like 75+) cars I've owned this is one of only a handfull I wish I hadn't sold the first time. I now have a second chance so I'll build it for me and not worry about resale. The Spyder chassis and suspension have to stay because of the cost and time to replace them. Yes, I could sell it and buy a Lotus chassis but that could be done 10 years from now as well. So on the modifications to make it a reliable daily (okay 2 times a week) driver.

Tom,

Here are afew pics. As stated I'm not crazy about the flares but without them the panasports don't work too well on an S1 or S2. I like the looks of the 26R flares so I might go there. <img

That's exactly what I needed on a Wednesday. Thanks for sharing!

I think that tears it. Even though I toy with the idea of a practical classic, the one I really, really want is an Elan. C'mon, change jar...fill up already!

Great car!! With or without the 25R flares. Have Fun!

I'm a fan of modifying old sports cars (and new ones too). A sports car is more than transportation, it's a statement. The intrinsic value of many high end collector cars is because they're unique and or rare. Custom coach building is a lost art and I think we're poorer because it's gone.

There's no arguing that modern cars are fantastic in all respects compared to cars of even 20 years ago. They drive smoother, faster, are more reliable, yada, yada, yada. Much of that development was possible because there are fewer unique platforms so it's cost effective to really develop a new car and spread the cost over a million units.

We've traded our individuality for for convenience. Real car nuts won't put up with their ride as stock, they want it to be special, unique, just like hot rodders did in the 50s and custom builders did for the rich before that. Their cars were an extension of themselves.

Choosing to own a classic car is a statement in itself. Some collectors like to spend their time restoring their ride to as good or better than it left the factory. I can see their motivation, their goal is to preserve and hopefully drive the damn thing sometimes when it's nice out.

Choosing to customize a classic puts your imprint on the car. Your changes may be to enhance the performance, improve the reliability. make it safer or raise the cool factor. It's about not accepting what a design team thought was best at the time and restoring to that standard but looking around and thinking, you know, I can make this better. Go for it, express yourself and enjoy not just the destination but the trip there too.

mike

I never owned a car I didn't mess with.

Mike,

I couldn't agree with you more. I have restored a couple of cars and I've modified most tof the others I've owned. Even for the purists out there I think they would agree that if Chapman were alive today and owned a vintage Elan, he would be changing it up to todays technology.

When you restore a car it's a challenge to bring it back to originality, but when you modify a car, you allow your own creativity to take over, and that makes it special.

,Russ

In reply to Tahoe:

Sounds like you just answered your original question.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to Tahoe: Sounds like you just answered your original question.

Yup! Sometimes you just need that little push to justify what you really want to do. I guess I had a brief moment of guilt or indecision.