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Description

The Lotus Elan was introduced in 1962 as a 1500cc, 2-seat roadster. The engine was quickly enlarged however, to 1600cc after a very short production run of the initial model. The Elan was quite technically advanced for its time - DOHC 4-cylinder engine; four-wheel disc brakes; rack and pinion steering and independent suspension all round – fitted into a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. As such, it was the first Lotus road car to use this construction method but still embodied the ‘minimum weight‘ design philosophy which Lotus chief, Colin Chapman, felt so important. Allied to the pretty looking fibreglass body, these constituents combined to make a commercially successful car, being popular with the motoring public and a competitive car on track.

This winning design evolved quite quickly with improvements and enhancements added to the mix. The early models became known as ‘Series 1’ vehicles with the introduction of Series 2 cars in 1964. The range expanded with the development of a coupe version, included in the Series 3 models, with slightly more powerful and luxurious SE - Special Equipment – variants offered. A Series 4 range followed in 1968 and the final variant – named the Elan Sprint rather than Series 5 - in October 1970. Production ran on until 1973 and, whilst an exact figure is not known, experts believe the production number will be around the 10,000 mark.

The Elan offered here has a February 1970 build date (evidenced by the chassis number) – making it a Series 4 car originally. We have nothing of its early history beyond its first registration for the road in August 1971. At the end of the 1980s, it went to a new owner who completely rebuilt the car - upgrading it to the final Sprint model specification - in 1990/91. We have an MOT record from July 1991, which shows the car having covered 73,918 miles. This owner kept the vehicle for around 20 years, during which time the Elan was entered in Concours d’Elegance events and featured in a Thoroughbred & Classic Cars magazine roadtest article in July 2006.

Post 2010, the car passed through the hands of a number of owners, each taking care and effort to maintain the Elans condition – as evidenced by a thick file of invoices. In 2019, the car passed to the current, Jersey-based owner, with the last (2018 issued) MOT showing 87,222 miles recorded. It has similarly been very well maintained whilst in the island, with a further detailed record of service and other works carried out. With light use, the mileage now stands at a little short of 91,000 miles.

The Elan engine was derived from the Ford Kent 1498cc, pre-Crossflow engine. Enlarged to 1558cc, this also employed a Lotus designed alloy, two-valve, twin-cam head. The Sprint model featured the most powerful version of this motor – often referred to as the ‘Big Valve’ engine - with the extra bhp coming from the adoption of enlarged inlet valves, refined port shapes, an increase in compression ratio, modified camshafts and the fitment of Weber 40 DCOE carburettors. Power was up by a claimed 20% to 126 bhp.

As part of the comprehensive rebuild work carried out, Dell’Orto carburettors have been fitted – but Lotus themselves switched to these in the latter part of Sprint production. Additionally, a CV joint driveshaft conversion has been carried out (an uprated replacement for the original style Rotoflex units). Other uprated items fitted include a Powerlite starter motor; Kenlowe fan kit; electric headlight lift kit and stainless exhaust. Freshly serviced with a new clutch slave cylinder installed, the Elan provides a very direct and sporting drive.

The 90/91 rebuild work was as thorough for the body of the car as it was for the engine. Invoices held show that some fibreglass replacement sections were fitted and of course, the car was fully resprayed in the striking, model-appropriate, Pistachio Green over White scheme with Gold lacquered bumpers which it currently wears. This paintwork still looks really good – nicely complimented by the black knock-on wheels with bright embellishers. The chassis is in excellent condition and we must assume it has been replaced at some point, although we have no record for this work.

The interior is all clean, tidy and correct. The seats are in good condition, as is the rest of the interior vinyl work and carpeting. The dashboard veneer is in fine condition - a period radio is fitted with a quad speaker setup. The electric windows work. There’s nothing amiss in this cockpit. The hood is in good condition and works well.

A very quick classic Lotus with excellent handling and arguably, one of the prettiest models from the company. This Elan has the final, most powerful engine specification – with further upgrades - is in first rate condition and drives very well.

Supplied with two folders of history (post 1989) which also includes a copy of the 2006 Classic Cars roadtest article. Additionally, we have an original Workshop manual; Drivers Handbook and S4 sales brochure.

The car is currently Jersey registered and we can assist with (international) shipping and importation processes if required.

Condition & Registration

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Technical Details

Vehicle data

Make: Lotus
Model series: Elan
Model name: Elan S4
First registration date: 08/1971
Year of manufacture: 1970
Mileage (read): 90,810 mi
Chassis number: 70020500405
Engine number: H002050040E
Gearbox number: Not provided
Matching numbers: Yes
Number of owners: Not provided

Technical details

Body style: Convertible
Power (kW/hp): 86/117
Cubic capacity (cm³): 1558
Cylinders: 4
Doors: 2
Steering: Right (RHD)
Gearbox: Manual
Gears: 4
Transmission: Rear
Front brakes: Disc
Rear brakes: Disc
Fuel type: Petrol

Individual Configuration

Exterior color: Others
Manufacturer color name: Pistachio over White
Sun roof: Yes

Folding roof: Yes
Interior color: Black
Interior material: Imitation leather

Location

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1970 | Lotus Elan S4