Lotus Elan / 26R ID questions
#1
Posted 19 January 2012 - 15:45
Wondering if anybody can confirm if there was/is anything Lotus, especially a chassis number, in Max Paynes Ark Racing Gr.5 Elan circa '81 / '82, beyond the mandatory silhouette, if it was not built specially for Gr.5 what was it's history ?
Secondly can anyone share the chassis number for Tony Thompsons 26R, seen here at Cadwell in 1989, which dominated HSCC Classic & Sportscar events on both occasions that I saw it ?
And finally does any one know the chassis number of the Elan /R26R (?) shared by John and Leslie Sheldon on Tour Britannia last year ?
Relevant answers maybe credited and used in a forthcoming blog.
Thanking you in anticipation of your responses.
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#2
Posted 19 January 2012 - 16:08
Edit:
http://www.classicdr...p;dealerid=1337
Edited by David Birchall, 19 January 2012 - 17:51.
#3
Posted 19 January 2012 - 22:51
#4
Posted 19 January 2012 - 22:54
I find that it is best to keep historical facts and commercial interests on separate shelves, sometimes.
#5
Posted 19 January 2012 - 23:13
#6
Posted 19 January 2012 - 23:15
Yes.Thanks David, as I suspected Edward, noticed TT is 26R Registrar on the HLR Pete
#7
Posted 20 January 2012 - 00:08
TT might be the "Guru" but I have asked the Oracle to comment.
I find that it is best to keep historical facts and commercial interests on separate shelves, sometimes.
I agree with that sentiment--something about "...LyMans replicas" comes to mind...
#8
Posted 20 January 2012 - 08:32
Max Paynes car built as Gr 5 car had Elan chassis I think it had Chevron front uprights and ran with 1800cc T/C early on.
TTR car is 26-R-20
John Sheldons car is not a 26R but GTS spec S1
#9
Posted 20 January 2012 - 16:02
Is GTS Spec S1 same/similar as Type 36 ?
#10
Posted 20 January 2012 - 17:29
The Type 36 was the Elan FHC in 1965-(At least, according to DCN)
#11
Posted 20 January 2012 - 20:30
No, it would be similar to a 26R S1
The Type 36 was the Elan FHC in 1965-(At least, according to DCN)
Thanks David, very out of my depth on this, so GTS spec S1 is a 26 without the R ?
Was GTS spec S1 a factory option ?
#12
Posted 20 January 2012 - 21:51
I'm not sure that Doug would seek to take credit for the fact that the Lotus Type 36 is the FHC Elan.No, it would be similar to a 26R S1
The Type 36 was the Elan FHC in 1965-(At least, according to DCN)
I'll step back from the definition of the GTS, because I cannot, at this moment, be sure exactly what the spec was or, in fact, if it was ever offered as a factory option. There seem to be lots of opinions, some learned, some rather less so. I'm still waiting to see any factory documentation on this subject but, hey, I'm usually wrong and am quite prepared to hold my hands up again.
It seems to me that since these old bangers achieved stellar prices, way beyond their worth, every Tom, Dick and Larry with a few quid to spare, seems able to produce something which performs far beyond what was achievable in period... and gets a set of FIA papers to prove that it is what it wasn't.
#13
Posted 20 January 2012 - 22:00
I'm not sure that Doug would seek to take credit for the fact that the Lotus Type 36 is the FHC Elan.
I'll step back from the definition of the GTS, because I cannot, at this moment, be sure exactly what the spec was or, in fact, if it was ever offered as a factory option. There seem to be lots of opinions, some learned, some rather less so. I'm still waiting to see any factory documentation on this subject but, hey, I'm usually wrong and am quite prepared to hold my hands up again.
It seems to me that since these old bangers achieved stellar prices, way beyond their worth, every Tom, Dick and Larry with a few quid to spare, seems able to produce something which performs far beyond what was achievable in period... and gets a set of FIA papers to prove that it is what it wasn't.
I'll leave the Sheldon and Payne cars out of my blog to keep things simple then Pete, thanks for your time and patience
#14
Posted 20 January 2012 - 23:36
I have the factory spec sheets for both the series 1 and series 2 26Rs--I owned one of each in the eighties--and there is no mention of GTS on them.
Peter, I used DCN as the "Oracle" on the type 36 question since I have not memorised the various sub categories of Elans, nor do I intend to.
Although there is still a S2 Elan with good racing history sitting in my garage...
Edit: Peter, perhaps we should ask "Ed" for input into this?
Edited by David Birchall, 20 January 2012 - 23:47.
#15
Posted 21 January 2012 - 09:01
Edited by Simon Hadfield, 21 January 2012 - 09:02.
#16
Posted 21 January 2012 - 14:52
Thanks to David, Edward, Pete and 'The Oracle' for your help with identifying Tony's Car for today's blog.
I am still no definitively wiser as to the Sheldon 'Elan' JRO 20 C being a 26, 26R or 36 but that can wait until another day
#17
Posted 21 January 2012 - 16:14
Thanks Simon- makes perfect sense now!The term GTS is an FIA group used to describe a class of homogated GT cars, therefore you can have a - for example - GTS Ford Mustang, or a GTS Triumph Spitfire or a GTS E-type. It does not refer in any way to a specific car.
#18
Posted 21 January 2012 - 16:24
Simon thanks for clearing up the 'GTS' mystery.
Thanks to David, Edward, Pete and 'The Oracle' for your help with identifying Tony's Car for today's blog.
I am still no definitively wiser as to the Sheldon 'Elan' JRO 20 C being a 26, 26R or 36 but that can wait until another day
Sheldon's car is a 1965 elan modified to 26R specs-although how much of this car was around in 1965 is unclear-It is a 26 not one of the 100 odd 26Rs though.
Artidesco: You could mention on your blog that there were series 1 and series 2 cars--they were quite different in many ways.
Edited by David Birchall, 21 January 2012 - 16:49.
#19
Posted 22 January 2012 - 00:49
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#20
Posted 22 January 2012 - 01:18
#21
Posted 22 January 2012 - 01:36
Ralph, a double typo [?] - the Lotus 14 was the Elite not the Elise, which came a lot later.
#22
Posted 22 January 2012 - 01:55
Edited by Catalina Park, 22 January 2012 - 02:01.
#23
Posted 22 January 2012 - 02:19
Another backbone to add to the pile is the 59 Chevrolet...
Any particular one or all of them ?
#24
Posted 22 January 2012 - 03:54
#25
Posted 22 January 2012 - 04:02
The full size 59 Chevrolets. The Biscayne, Impala, Bel Air, etc. They all used this type of frame...
Wow ! I've never seen a 50's full size Chevrolet stripped to the back bone chassis before ! Thanks CP