VIN: the Jack Gordon Lotus Elan S2 chassis 26/4143

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History of chassis 26/4143

Chassis 26/4143 was an Elan S2 ordered by Jack Gordon of New Providence in the Bahamas. Gordon purchased the car to contest the Nassau Speed Week races in which he had previously run an Austin-Healey Sprite (during 1963 and ‘64).

The Elan was configured in Cirrus White with a Black interior and a Grey hood. It was invoiced to East Bay Service Ltd. in Nassau on February 2nd 1965 and registered NP 8219.

Having used his Elan on the local roads for several months, Gordon began to prepare 26/4143 for the 1965 Speed Week which ran from November 11th to December 5th. To save weight, he removed the windscreen and roof assembly. An aero screen, roll over hoop and dash-mounted rear view mirror were then installed and the headlight apertures were taped up to improve airflow.

Gordon contested all three of the 1965 Speed Week events that were organised exclusively for residents of the Bahamas.

Races seven and eight (out of twelve) were a pair of five lap heats around the Oakes Field Course. Gordon was pipped to victory by Hans Schenk’s Porsche 718 RSK in Heat 1, but when Schenk dropped out early with a broken fuel pump in Heat 2, Gordon swept to victory ahead of Walt Wingenroth’s Porsche 356 Carrera.

The twelve lap Bahamas Cup took place a day later (December 5th) and would determine local bragging rights for the months to come. Unfortunately, Gordon was hampered by some kind of issue and came home in tenth. Victory went to Schenk in his red Porsche Spyder.

For 1966, Jack Gordon set about further improving 26/4143 by having the rear wheelarches flared to accommodate a set of magnesium JAP wheels. His big rival, Hans Schenk, had acquired a Porsche 904 Bergspyder, but for reasons unknown, Schenk only entered the Bahamas Cup that year. This left Gordon clear to take a brace of comfortable wins in the pair of Locals Heats on December 3rd.

In the Bahamas Cup the following day, Schenk’s race came to an end on lap six of twelve and Gordon took another win, on this occasion from Patsy Kennedy’s Porsche 356 Carrera.

Unfortunately, following Rodrigo Borjes Zingg’s death during a fiery opening lap accident in his Ferrari 365 P2 while contesting the the Nassau Trophy finale, any further running of the Bahamas Speed Week was abandoned.

Precisely how long Jack Gordon retained 26/4143 is unclear. In later years the cars was exported to the USA before making its way back to Europe in 2008.

Notable History

02/02/1965 invoiced to East Bay Service Ltd., Nassau

Sold to Jack Gordon, New Providence

04/12/1965 BSW Nassau Locals Heat 1 (J. Gordon) 2nd oa (#111N)
04/12/1965 BSW Nassau Locals Heat 2 (J. Gordon) 1st oa (#111N)
05/12/1965 BSW Bahamas Cup (J. Gordon) 10th oa (#111N)

03/12/1966 BSW Nassau Locals Heat 1 (J. Gordon) 1st oa (#111N)
03/12/1966 BSW Nassau Locals Heat 2 (J. Gordon) 1st oa (#111N)
04/12/1966 BSW Bahamas Cup (J. Gordon) 1st oa (#111N)

Later exported to the USA and then back to Europe

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed