Historic Elan Chassis 26/0196

The story of a 1963 Lotus Elan 1600 – chassis 26/0196.

Paul Schmidt from Newcastle bought the Elan new from Geoghegans in February 1964. The car was one of the first three Elans to be imported by Geoghegans.

Paul racing at Warwick Farm in ’64, debuting with Kevin Bartlett’s TVR. Paul owned the car until 1968. Over the next 20 years it stayed in NSW, but the condition steadily declined.

Tony and Lisa Galletly bought the car in 1989 and set about an extensive 10 year rebuild. It was significant that the original Bourne body and Lotus chassis were able to be retained in excellent restored condition.

After the rebuild, Tony raced the car very successfully in historic events for many years until it was sold to England where it is used regularly by new owner Robert Barrie.