Introduction
Paul Wright
With a steel backbone chassis and a fibreglass body, the result is an excellent handling two-seater sports car.
The Series 1 Elan was launched in 1962. Designed by Ron Hickman under the Colin Chapman ethos, 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. There were many revisions, running up to the 1968 Series 4. All the Series were available as either a standard version or the slightly more powerful and luxurious SE model, with the SE meaning special equipment.
This car is a S4, coming to market from ~2.5 year ownership in a classic car collection. A drop head coupe believed to be in its original colour of "Lotus Yellow", the car was restored by a previous owner, the owner before the current also keeping the car in a collection with limited use over 8 years. The current owner had the car put through a thorough service and set up with a marque specialist when first acquired, and some more recent work to ensure the car is ready for sale.
This listing was written from information supplied by Paul after meeting Ben the custodian, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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Condition of chassis?
Hi Ben,
I’ve just been watching your Elan on the video and I noticed the oil pressure on start up was extremely high, is the gauge faulty or is that normal with your car? What oil pressure does it normally run at when hot?
Do you get any overheating problems in traffic as I would need to drive the car back through Birmingham.
Is the hood in good condition and does it fit well?
Do you know when the engine was last rebuilt?
Where would the car have to be collected from.
I hope you can answer these questions as I am very interested in the car.
Regards,
Peter.
Hi Peter
Thanks for taking a look at the Elan.
Yes the oil pressure does read high. I suspect the gauge needs attention. It settles at around 90 once hot.
I have just had the radiator re-cored which I fitted last week just before the pictures and video’s were taken. I haven’t had chance to run it since then but I can’t foresee any overheating problems. The invoice for this has been added to the history file.
As per the advert and pictures the hood is in good condition and fits well. There is one small area of damage around the presstud but it doesn’t affect performance.
I would need to go through the paperwork to see when the last engine rebuild was. All of the paperwork is on the advert if you wanted to take a look on there. I won’t be able to look through the paperwork until Thursday.
Collection is from Southwell, as shown in the advert.
I hope this helps.
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thank you for your reply.
I have looked through all the paperwork and couldn’t see any info. on an engine rebuild except for the cylinder head.
The reason I asked about the hood is that there is only a couple of pictures that show the hood and no damage is shown, also it’s a bit cold at this time of year to travel 80 miles with the hood down!
One thing I forgot to ask is, does your lotus drip much oil?
any thanks,
Peter.
Moring Peter
I will have a look at the paperwork tomorrow but if what is on here is only showing work on the head that will be all I have a record of.
Please look at all the images in the exterior folder. The slight damage to the hood is shown on the very last row.
I am not going to say it doesn’t drop oil as all cars of that era do but what it does drop is minimal.
Thanks
Ben
Hi Ben,
One last question, are there any signs on the bodywork of your Elan that the car has been in a crash?
The reason I ask is that I note the chassis was replaced in 1981 and it seems unlikely that it would have rusted through in just 21 years.
The obvious places for joined on repair panels are around the wheel arches, the front of the car nose area and in the boot. Could you possibly have a quick check of these areas and let me know.
Many thanks,
Peter.
Hi Peter
There is nothing in the file about any engine rebuild. Likewise there is nothing in the file or evidence that I can see on the car that it has been in a crash.
Ben
Vehicle Location
Southwell, Nottinghamshire
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