Introduction
Tom Valle
The Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body - weighing in at just 680kg.
The Series 1 Elan Roadster was launched in 1962. Designed by Ron Hickman, from the beginning the Elan was quite advanced for the time with a twin-cam 1,558 cc engine and 4 wheel disc brakes, plus the independent suspension which was based on a Triumph design.
In 1964, the Series 2 version was launched, with an optional hardtop, which was quickly followed in 1965 with the fixed head coupe. Things didn’t stop there, and in 1966 the drop head coupe was available which continued into the production of the Series 3.
The Series 3 lasted for just 2 years before this particular model we have here was launched in 1968; the Series 4. All of the series were available as either a standard version or the slightly more powerful and luxurious SE model, with the SE meaning Special Equipment.
The Series 4 we have here is a 1969 SE model which was fully restored by Alison's father in 1991, and since then it has been mainly kept in storage and used just a handful of times.
This auction listing was written from information supplied by Tom after meeting Alison the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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I WANT ONEAsk Questions
Hi Alison,
I am interested in your Lotus Elan.
Could you please tell me if the car is running well enough to be driven back to Birmingham after the sale?
Also is there a spare wheel, and are there any other spares included in the sale?
Regards,
Peter.
Hi, I believe the car is running well enough to be driven to Birmingham. I’m not aware of any issues. My mechanic said it would benefit from a good run. Kind regards, Alison
Hi, I believe the car is running well enough to be driven to Birmingham. I’m not aware of any issues. My mechanic said it would benefit from a good run. There isn’t a spare wheel but any other spares I have would be included in the sale. Kind regards, Alison
Hi Alison,
I would like to run a full HPI check, but will need some info off the V5C. Will that be possible?
Thanks
Hi,
Do you have any extra info re one of the invoices which states: –
“CN sprint kit
bonnet with a bulge
“Lotus” chassis
Oatmeal trim”
and is dated 8.1.90.
Just trying to understand if that was for a full body, full chassis, full interior trim kit and anything else from Christopher Neil
Thanks
Hi, there is a pile of paperwork however some may be for another lotus which dad also once had. I can’t honestly say but the chassis I think is new, it’s absolutely mint but I’m not sure how much of the body has been replaced. I do have a spare door and a curved section for the rear. Also I think Trade Classics took a photo of the v5. Sorry I’m not more helpful. Kind regards
Hi, I think the car had a full restoration according to a valuation document I found. Thanks
Hi Alison,
You have a very good looking car.
I apologise in advance as I do have a raft of questions, and fully appreciate you may not be able to answer all of them.
First relate to items that may be with the car (eg hood frame, hood, full tonneau cover, spare wheel, any spares)?
Secondly ref whether everything works as it should (the headlights for instance are prone to not staying up!).
Looks like there’s no MOT history at all. Was wondering if / when it last had an MOT and what was found?
We’ve had a few old cars over the years, and would fully expect there to be a few leaks, squeaks, rattles, etc. These might be questions for your garage, but keen to know if there’s any leaks, engine oil pressure when cold and warm, if the car was converted to run with unleaded fuel, poss individual cylinder pressures if they’ve ever measured them.
Mileage – is it 25,000 since the rebuild 30 years ago?
I may well like to view as well, but will need to factor in driving up from Hampshire.
Many thanks,
Martin
Hi, I’ll try and answer your questions the best I can but I actually know little about the car other than when I first inherited it it wasn’t running properly, which it is now, and all the rubber, including all pipes, tyres etc had perished, so I had everything replaced. I believe it’s also had a new alternator and as far as I know it doesn’t have any leaks or other issues, so I can’t foresee any problems regarding an mot, which as it’s been stored it doesn’t seem to have had. I can’t comment on the hood as I’ve only seen the car in it’s current state and I also can’t guarantee the functioning of the lights as I haven’t tried them but I do remember them working as a child. It does run on unleaded. The 25k mileage is what is on the clock now so presumably since the rebuilt. There isn’t a spare wheel but there is a pile of receipts, paperwork and photos etc. I hope this helps a bit. Kind regards, Alison.
Thanks for all the info. Really helpful
Hi, I’ll try and answer your questions the best I can but I actually know little about the car other than when I first inherited it it wasn’t running properly, which it is now, and all the rubber, including all pipes, tyres etc had perished, so I had everything replaced. I believe it’s also had a new alternator and as far as I know it doesn’t have any leaks or other issues, so I can’t foresee any problems regarding an mot, which as it’s been stored it doesn’t seem to have had. I can’t comment on the hood as I’ve only seen the car in it’s current state and I also can’t guarantee the functioning of the lights as I haven’t tried them but I do remember them working as a child. It does run on unleaded. The 25k mileage is what is on the clock now so presumably since the rebuilt. There isn’t a spare wheel but there is a pile of receipts, paperwork and photos etc. I hope this helps a bit.
Kind regards, Alison.
Good afternoon
Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so could you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you
Many thanks
Phil
Good morning,
Please can you get in touch with Trade Classics directly to arrange a viewing. I’m currently in the process of moving the car from the garage to my home address.
Kind regards
Alison
Good afternoon
Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so could you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you
Good afternoon
Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so yould you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you
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Lincoln
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