1969 LOTUS ELAN S4

KEY FACTS

• A fully restored example of the classic lightweight British sports car.
• Under the bonnet is the characterful 115bhp ‘SE’ 1.6-litre Lotus twin-cam inline-four, fed by dual Weber carburettors, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.
• First registered in June 1969, this Elan S4 has been with its current private owner for 25 years, and is being sold on their behalf.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The final evolution of the original Elan, the S4 weighed in at just 560kg in standard form.
• This car has the correct S4 features of flared wheel arches, new rear lights borrowed from the Jaguar E-Type, wider tyres, and rocker switches on the dashboard console.
• In SE ‘Special Equipment’ specification, the Elan S4 had a power boost to 115bhp, and was fitted with knock-off hub wheels plus a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The motor also features dry sump lubrication.
• This example is finished in the classic hue of Lotus Yellow, while its seats have been retrimmed in black vinyl upholstery and customised with headrests.
• In 1998, the car received a FIVA passport, and it has been used in many rallies, including the Tour Auto in France.
• Accordingly, it has been fitted with red four-point harnesses, a master kill switch and a roll bar for added safety.
• Accompanying the car are numerous invoices documenting ground-up restoration work and maintenance carried out between 2016 and 2018 in particular by Lotus specialist Van der Kooi Sportscars.

CONDITION

• The vendor notes that the car has suffered from some accident damage in the past, but has since been repaired.
• Having been fully restored, the yellow paintwork is described by the vendor as being in excellent condition, with no noticeable blemishes to speak of.
• Inside, the cabin is similarly smart, with some hairline cracks to the wood veneered dashboard’s lacquer, but no visible wear on the retrimmed seats.
• The interior has been re-trimmed, with black vinyl for the seats, which have also been customised with headrests. The seats also have four-point safety harnesses.
• The markings for the controls are still clear, and there are no known electrical faults.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This Elan S4 SE will be treated to a small service at the point of sale.
• The large history file shows evidence of the extensive restoration between 2016 and 2018, with some maintenance invoices dating back to 2013.
• Its drive belt was last replaced in 2018.

SUMMARY

Described by McLaren F1 designed Gordon Murray as “the ultimate, better than the F1”, the Lotus Elan is an agile, lightweight and highly involving classic sports car. Cherished for 25 years by its most recent private owner and recently treated to a full ‘ground-up’ restoration, this competition-prepared example is now presented in excellent condition throughout, and is ready to enjoy on the road and any number of classic rallies.

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