1963 Lotus Elan S1
Highlights
- Restoration completed in 2021
- Chassis replaced with a galvanised unit
- Engine rebuilt with new ancillaries
- Supplied with both a hard top and soft top frame
The Appeal
The Lotus Elan S1 is among the most revered lightweight sports cars of the 1960s. Colin Chapman's ingenious combination of a backbone chassis, fibreglass body, and Lotus-Ford twin-cam engine produced a car that was remarkably agile and rewarding to drive, setting the benchmark for small British sports cars for decades to come.
This 1963 example was imported from Florida in 2008 and subsequently underwent a thorough restoration, completed in 2021. The scope of work included replacing the chassis with a galvanised unit, overhauling the body shell, and rebuilding the engine. The paintwork was renewed at around the same time, and the interior was retrimmed. Always garage-kept, this Elan is offered with both a hard top and a soft top frame. The vendor describes it as very pleasant and responsive to drive, and it is being sold simply because it has not seen enough use to justify keeping it.
Key Information
- Mileage: 53,075 km indicated (the odometer has been around the clock or replaced; the reading is not warranted)
- Country of registration: France (Carte Grise de Collection)
- Technical inspection status: expired since March 2021
- Technical specs: 1.6L DOHC inline-four Lotus-Ford twin cam engine producing around 105bhp with twin Weber carburettors, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels
- Paperwork: registration document and restoration invoices
The Detail
- Imported from Florida in 2008
- Yellow paintwork with a black roof and stripe
- 13-inch wheels with three-eared knock-offs
- Retrimmed black faux leather interior with wood inlays
- Chassis replaced with a galvanised unit during the restoration
- Body shell overhauled
- Engine rebuilt, including new core plugs, renovated radiator, and new water pump
- Slight oil leak noted at the engine sump/crankcase
- Paintwork renewed approximately five years ago with the vendor noting only very light scratches and slight defects
- Carpet slightly worn
- Always garage-kept
- Has not been driven much since restoration, which is the stated reason for sale
