Exploring Yosemite in an Elan

Hello All;

Just returned from 525 mi round trip from San Jose CA to Yosemite in my Stromberg S4. No issues on the trip. Car performed brilliantly throughout the trip in 80 & 92 degree weather. I fitted a 13lb rad cap which helped keep coolant temps down plus the electric fan. Don’t try driving an Elan across the CA. Central Valley without plenty of water for the driver. I’m so glad to drive a coupe too! The new Vredesteins (155-13) handled very well on all surfaces and the slightly taller tire did lower my cruising RPMs. The Yosemite area roads are made for the Elan. At this time of the year, the tourist traffic is greatly reduced. I was a slightly down on power @ 6000’ but driveability was not affected. Burned less than 1 qt on the trip and fuel mileage was decent. I didn’t see any other classic cars on the trip. The more I drive the Elan, the more confident I am that it is a reliable and entertaining car. I encourage other Elan owners to get out there and enjoy the ride.
Attached are photos of me on Hwy 49 summit approaching Yosemite, at the Tunnel vista point looking at the Yosemite Valley and at the base of El Capitan.



I’m sure the roof was welcome on the run to Yosemite, but once there - all that scenery, most of it well above eye level! Sounds and looks like a great trip, with proper Lotus roads.

Andrew,

Do not think we miss much scenery. My wife and I have taken many trips up in interesting mountainous areas. There may be just a small area directly overhead that is totally obscured. And if I want to see the sky directly overhead, I lean out the window.

In the summer time, having a roof over our heads keeps away wind burn and sun burn, while open windows provide ventilation.

One trip we made from San Luis Opisbo to Monterey early in the morning after a heavy rain. Fastest trip ever due to no traffic, and snug as a bug in a rug. Hardly convertible weather.

Another trip started at the Willamette river in the rain and climbed up toward Crater Lake until the snow became so deep they closed the road in front of us. Again, a comfortable trip.

In the LA area, the snow level often gets down to 3000 ft and some of the roads are well over 8000. It makes for gorgeous driving in those conditions. But again, comfortable.

One early Thanksgiving morning, I drove up one of the mountain roads. There was snow on each side of the road, but the road was covered with ice from it freezing the night before. A little bit of a squirmy drive. Again, comfortable, although my body may have been warm from the adrenalin of snaking around the various corners.

I am experienced with unlimited visibility and wind in the face, since, as you know, I rode a highly modified bump start only, clip on, rear sets bike for many years, including some of the same conditions. (I would show up at school with complete wets, but dry inside, while everybody else got soaked running in from the parking lot.)

Reading the posts here, convertible owners may have a one week window a year of glorious driving weather in some locations. Of course, here in SoCalif with 400 days of sunshine a year, that is not so much a concern.

David
1968 36/7988

Closed vs. open is such a personal preference, it’s hardly debatable. As a tall driver, I am more visually confined by a top (hard or soft) than others might be. But it goes beyond that. I was riding around southern California in a roadster (MB 190SL) as far back as I can remember. For me, that’s just the way it’s supposed to be. Driving through the overarching glory of a New England autumn, or a fine spring morning - I really don’t want anything between me and the elements.

At the recent British Invasion event in Stowe VT, all the Elans - coming from our cold, wet, snowy corner of the continent - were open. Perhaps because we don’t have perpetual access to perfect weather, we want to make the most of our opportunities.