On one of my periodic trawls through the net in an effort to find anything interesting on Sprints, I came across this photograph.
This was taken in 1972 at the then Lotus dealers/service agents Tollgate Engineering at Rye in Sussex. The car DPN 102K has a Brighton registration and is still on the road, according to the DVLA, having been first registered on 21 Apr 72. It is recorded as being blue and it could be that is the original colour.
It is of course unusual to see an Elan fitted with an old style number plate on the front valance, as here. After 1 Jan 73 the new style reflective plates had to be fitted and many Sprints were thereafter fitted with a plate in the same way. Most of us now have reverted back to the better looking separate digits inside the front grill, as Colin intended. I seem to recall that there were debates at the time as to the legality of those digits.
hi , the car is still on the road and i am the owner. i live in France and it now has French registration 7200 TV 28. i bought the car in June 1999 and i am 4th owner. 1st it was a Tollgate demo car, 2nd owner was Mrs Best for 23 Years, 3rd Mr Furnell for 41/2 Years then me from June 1999.
It has a Lotus galvanised chassis which was fitted by Miles Wilkins
( Fibreglass services). In Jan 2000 it was resprayed as original Lagoon Blue over White and looks superb. Always garaged and takes part in many Classic car meetings in France
Alan
Hello Alan -
This used to be my mother’s car. If you were by any chance a seller I could be interested… I live in Geneva, so on the right side of the Channel. Could you contact me on [email protected] ? Thanks
Hi Philip,
I’ve just sent an email to your email address.
Cheers
Alan
P.s. It still has the Klosters sticker in the back window where your Mum used to Ski.
Hi Mark,
Looks like “Little Lo” will go to Philip the Son of the 1st Owner at the end of this month October.
Once finalised i’ll leave it to him to finish the adventure
Alan
A wonderful circular story. My Mother bought the car in 1972 and if I was lucky sometimes she used to take me to school in it- always an exciting drive for a 12 year old. After I got my driving test she used to let me drive it from time to time (but always with her in the car). I must have driven it a few times when I was in my 20s, but then she got ill and the car was sold. I am very excited to be getting behind that wheel again for the first time in 40 years and thank you, Alan, for making it happen! Philip
Alan, great to hear that your car has been re-united with it’s original family, but Alan what are you going to do now Elanwise? especially after all of your efforts rebuilding the car…
Hi Phil,
Good question but i have been driving most of the time another car which puts a big smile on your face a 1978 TVR 3000S Cabriolet. The sound of the V6 and it puts like a train. So solide grp maybe 3 times as thick as Lotus.
A Blackpool Rocket.
Phil have you ever driven one, don’t because you will say what have i missed.
I agree driving a Sprint is more like a Ballet, soo light and delicate Worlds apart.
I’ve had 3 Elan +2s, the Sprint, also Ford Cortina Twincam. 50 years tinkering with Twincams.
Could crack for another who knows.
Alan
What a wonderful ending to a simple post. I have had the opportunity over the years to reunite Lotus cars in a similar way. Always a good feeling. Have a wonderful time with your mom’s Lotus!