1969 S4 Elan Coupe

MarketPlace Elans and Plus 2's for Sale
1

I bought this car last December from Jim Gordon who many of you know well from this site. It is a beautifully restored coupe from top to bottom with new Spyder chassis and rebuilt twincam and transmission. All major suspension components were sandblasted or beadblasted as appropriate, cleaned, powdercoated, and re-installed on the chassis. It has new Spyder wishbones front and rear. Smaller ‘bits’ like bushings, trunions, bearings, tie rod ends, rubber boots, seals, etc. were all new and have less than 1000 miles since the restoration. The engine compartment is completely detailed, master cylinders and brake lines are new, radiator has been re-cored, gas tank is a new aluminum one and the chassis/underside of this car is considerably nicer than any Elan that ever left the factory! There is also a new exhaust system delivering the sweet twincam exhaust note.

Jim had the car set up and corner weighted by a race shop in Maryland, and with 30+ years of road race experience myself, I can tell you that the car drives and handles like a dream. Setup and alignment is perfect and it is ready to drive and enjoy.

Everything works in the interior and there is a new dash, crash pad, door panels, carpet, headliner, trim panels, and console. The seats are original and are in excellent condition (no tears or rips or wear).

The body was stripped down to the bare fiberglass and is now finished in BRG and while the paint is not perfect it is very, very nice. Easily a 9+ out of 10 and paint that will likely win honors at plenty of car shows.

Overall, this is about as nice of an Elan as you will find these days. Spyder chassis, handles great, looks great, runs great and ready to enjoy. The car has Yokohama Advan 175 x 60 R13 tires with probably 1000 total miles on them. Jim told me that he had close to $50K in the project when all was said and done (I know what it takes to restore one of these cars and I have a file folder of his receipts and while I haven’t totaled them up I’m sure it is close). I have $32,500 in the car and that is what I am looking to get out of it. Car is in Akron, OH. Craig Chima (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

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2

pictures look great! :wink:

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I saw this car at Craig’s shop - very nice, just as he described.

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4

Thanks, Mike. I think I fairly represented the car in my original description and have now posted some pix in the original post (all I needed was a teenager to help!). As you can see in those pix, the headlights are in the ‘up’ position and ever since I purchased the car from Jim the headlights would creep back “up” 5 or 10 minutes after the car was turned off after it had been run. Today was the first time I started the car for roughly 3 weeks as I’d fried a Pertronix module and was waiting for a new one and when I fired it up the headlights failed to go “down” and I didn’t have time to diagnose the problem before getting to the pictures. Hopefully in the next day or two. The only other “issue” I can comment on with regard to the car is that the parking brake is not currently installed but other than that everything is good to go. As mentioned in the original post, it was truly a “nut and bolt” restoration and I do have most of Jim’s original “build” pictures and am happy to forward to any interested parties. Craig

5

A couple of people have inquired about “trades” for the coupe and about the only thing I would consider is an original Lotus 7 or relatively new Caterham (probably '98 or newer, ideally with Zetec). For those on the forum who know me, know that I’ve raced and prepped 7’s and Caterhams for the past 15 years. I sold my Caterham street car in order to buy this car and really miss not having a “7” type street car so that is the only reason this car is up for sale. But beyond something along these lines I’m fairly certain that I’d “pass” on any potential trade suggestions. Craig

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Bump. Price reduced to $31K. I’d really like to get the car sold and create some additional shop space for customer projects. Craig

7

Somebody buy this car so I can post my Elan Coupe for a higher price. :slight_smile:

8

Quite interested, machadoh@bellsouth.net . Ready to make offer, in miami,fl. Was going to get a Ginetta g4 but this car is fantastic.

9

Nice car.
Someone will purchase it.
I need that alternator setup. Please someone mention the source and maker, etc. Thanks, all. PM would be fineif I can find it).

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Visit rdent.com for the alternator.

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Before I do something silly like get a mini Marcos, would like to buy your elan , machadoh@bellsouth.net, or cell 3059269921.
Anyone seen that ?lan on New England classics?

12

ER how can I put this delicately… Greg Chima & NECC are world’s apart… do a google search on NECC & you will see what I mean.

The S4 bitsa recently listed by NECC was totally mis-represented as a Sprint.

13

Craig,

If I had the money and the space, this car would be mine!

I would have to ask forgiveness of the CFO (SHE who must be obeyed!). Easier to ask forgiveness than permission!
I simply cannot believe this car has not sold yet. It is beautiful.

Regards,
Dan Wise

14

Ready whenever you are Chima, Are you out of town? thanks

15

Spoke with Chima, super nice guy, very ethical.

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Greg is also a very good race driver… saw him last weekend at Lime Rock in a 7…

17

Indeed, many time SCCA national champ. :smiley:

18

O.K. all, thanks for the kind words and here is the story. I was indeed at Lime Rock over Labor Day weekend and placed a Bring a Trailer ad for the car shortly before that event. The response to that ad was “overwhelming” to say the least. By the time that weekend was finished and I was heading home on Labor Day Monday I had 4 people who I felt were truly very interested in the car (i.e. not just tire kickers). And then on Tuesday one of those four committed to wire transferring the funds for the full purchase amount. He is a purchaser from South America and it was to have been done on Wednesday but as of yet I have yet to see those funds hit my bank account. I have tried to be patient and trusting and have a good feeling as the purchaser has called me many times and is indeed a “car guy” and at this point it seems to be just a glitch in the funds transfer. But 3 other people have subsequently indicated that they also want the car (all domestic and 2 more or less relatively local to me) and are willing to get me funds promptly. So, I’ve been laying low on this forum in terms of specifically saying the car is sold, but needless to say between the 4 potential “buyers” I feel pretty confident that it is. I will keep everyone posted as to it’s exact status as soon as I know more. Cheers, Craig

19

Car is now officially “sold” with payment received and will be heading off to South America in short order. Thanks to everyone who inquired and sorry that there are 3 or 4 very disappointed potential buyers… Craig