Description
A Lotus Elan S2 with a super-rare Shapecraft body conversion. It is not recorded exactly how many Elans were converted by Barry Wood’s Surbiton based business but the general consensus is that no more than fifteen were completed, with an aluminium top section bonded on to the original lower body section.
The Elan S1 and S2 were, of course, only available as a drop head convertible and the Shapecraft design soon became favoured by the racing community, due to its’ aerodynamically superior properties, with some reports suggesting a top speed improvement to in excess of 120 mph.
JBW 86D (chassis #26/ 5808) was purchased, second hand, from Gibson’s Sports Cars in Christchurch, Dorset, on 16th April 1973. Accompanying the vehicle is their invoice, indicating a purchase price of £695 with a Mk 2 Cortina Lotus taken in part exchange (after settlement of outstanding finance of £84). The vehicle is described thereon as an Elan fixed head coupe.
The new owner appears to have immediately embarked upon a programme of fashionable updates of the era, with the addition of a vinyl roof, a Harry Moss radio and Revolution wheels but still found time to enjoy the vehicle considerably with the mileage noted as being 85303 (up from 53892 at the time of purchase), by October 1982 when it was deemed necessary to replace the engine. At around the same time, the ageing chassis was requiring replacement so unit LR908 (LR = ‘Lotus Replacement’) was acquired and duly fitted, with the change being correctly advised to DVLC at the time, in order for their records to be updated.
Also in the early 1980’s, the vehicle was gifted to the owners’ son who has remained its’ keeper ever since. Whilst never completely ‘mothballed’, a period of almost complete inactivity was to last for many years until it was decided in 2017 to undertake some mechanical refurbishment in order to return JBW 86D to the road. A not-inconsiderable sum, in excess of £11000, was spent on getting the vehicle in to a condition where it could be submitted for an MOT test and used again, albeit only sparingly with just 200 miles being driven since.
Whilst undergoing its’ repairs, it was brought to the attention of another Shapecraft owner who was able to view and to authenticate the body conversion. An interesting observation was made regarding the lower roofline which, until 26/ 5808 was discovered, was thought to only exist on the very first example, before being raised a little on subsequent conversions, presumably using a ‘production’ buck and to more readily accommodate a racing drivers helmeted head.
In late 2023, the vehicle was subject to a further mechanical refurbishment, with very little work required to enable the vehicle to pass an MOT test again. Since that time, it has been exercised regularly and is running very sweetly.
Accompanying the vehicle is the aforementioned invoice from 1973, the green log book, listing all the previous owners and a current V5C document. There are also copies of email communications, a letter from Graham Arnold, the chairman of Club Lotus, confirming it to be a Shapecraft and an online article chronicling the history of Shapecraft and providing a register of known surviving examples. Due to the very discreet ownership stretching back more than fifty years, this vehicle is not recorded on the register and would, probably, have been assumed lost many years ago. A truly historic find!
For further information and to arrange a viewing, please call the details below at any time – evenings and weekends always a pleasure.
Buy with confidence – Guy Munday has over thirty-five years of marque experience. Located in South Norfolk – the home of Lotus.
Many thanks for looking!
