24 replies to this topic

[arttidesco]

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.

[David Birchall]

Thompson's is 26R-20--I don't think Sheldon's car is a real 26R but is built up using parts supplied by Thompson who is the Guru of the 26Rs

Edit:
http://www.classicdr...p;dealerid=1337

Edited by David Birchall, 19 January 2012 - 17:51.

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

I saw the Ark car once , the only Lotus connection was the Elan Shape ,

[elansprint72]

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.

[arttidesco]

Thanks David, as I suspected Edward, noticed TT is 26R Registrar on the HLR Pete

[elansprint72]

Thanks David, as I suspected Edward, noticed TT is 26R Registrar on the HLR Pete

Yes.

[David Birchall]

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...

[elansprint72]

Apparently the Oracle is at his Winter quarters but he spake thus unto me:

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

[arttidesco]

Thanks please pass on my gratitude to the 'Oracle' Pete

Is GTS Spec S1 same/similar as Type 36 ?

[David Birchall]

No, it would be similar to a 26R S1
The Type 36 was the Elan FHC in 1965-(At least, according to DCN)

[arttidesco]

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 ?

[elansprint72]

No, it would be similar to a 26R S1
The Type 36 was the Elan FHC in 1965-(At least, according to DCN)

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.

[arttidesco]

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

[David Birchall]

I don't think that "GTS" was ever a factory period option--something that has been applied retrospectively I think.

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.

[Simon Hadfield]

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.

Edited by Simon Hadfield, 21 January 2012 - 09:02.

[arttidesco]

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

[elansprint72]

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.

Thanks Simon- makes perfect sense now!

[David Birchall]

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.

[arttidesco]

Thanks for the info on the Sheldon car and I've updated the paragraph about the production mentioning '2' distinct series of 26R's

[D-Type]

Ralph, a double typo [?] - the Lotus 14 was the Elite not the Elise, which came a lot later.

[arttidesco]

Ralph, a double typo [?] - the Lotus 14 was the Elite not the Elise, which came a lot later.

[Catalina Park]

Another backbone to add to the pile is the 59 Chevrolet...

Edited by Catalina Park, 22 January 2012 - 02:01.

[arttidesco]

Another backbone to add to the pile is the 59 Chevrolet...

Any particular one or all of them ?

[Catalina Park]

The full size 59 Chevrolets. The Biscayne, Impala, Bel Air, etc. They all used this type of frame...

[arttidesco]

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