1969 Lotus Elan +2 S

Highlights

  • Very good condition throughout
  • Enthusiast owned and maintained
  • Nut and bolt restoration in 2011/12
  • New galvanised subframe
  • All major parts replaced or reconditioned

The Appeal

One of Colin Chapman’s most beautiful cars the Lotus Elan is one of the great British sports cars built with performance very much in mind. 

A lightweight chassis and body with exemplary handling and a big valve spec engine fed by two large Weber carburettors ensured a very quick and agile 2+2 coupe, with looks to die for and super-cool pop-up headlights.

The History and Paperwork

  • First registered in 1969
  • Nut and bolt rebuild over 2 years after 30 years in dry storage
  • Brand new galvanised chassis supplied by Lotus
  • 15,000 miles since re-build in 2012
  • V5c present 
  • Matching numbers car
  • Serviced by classic specialists throughout ownership
  • 2 sets of keys
  • MOT exempt
  • Workshop manual
  • Comprehensive history file
  • Registration number included in sale
Taken apart and dry stored over 40 years ago by the previous owner, the car was subject to a complete ground up restoration in 2012, since which time it has covered only around 15,000 miles.

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The Interior

  • Original interior
  • Good condition throughout
  • Rear seats fold down to a parcel shelf
The complete interior was carefully stored and packed away when the car was originally dismantled and carefully re-installed at the end of the restoration and it is all in very acceptable and presentable condition.

The wooden dashboard does have several small cracks in the varnish and all the instruments are clear and reported as all working correctly, and the period radio has been converted to accept and play mp3’s with an aux input wire.

The headlining and carpets are all pretty good and a set of newly fitted correct door cards finish the interior off very nicely, and for a fifty year old car there’s little to worry about except for some minor niggles of a non-working cigar lighter, map reading light and clock, all of which should be easy to put right.

The outside passenger door handle is also inoperable as it is believed to have come adrift from the internal lock mechanism, but again this should be an easy enough job to rectify.

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The Exterior

  • Very nice overall condition
  • Good condition wheels with good tyres
  • Re-sprayed in classic Lotus colours
Completely re-sprayed during its restoration with a metal-flake silver roof and blue lagoon metallic paint the car looks fabulous and it’s only when you get up close that you’ll find some paint imperfections, the odd scratch here and there, and some crazing and the odd bubble in the paintwork. 

There are a few stone chips at the front, inevitable on a car with such a low slanting nose, but it has to be said that overall the car presents itself very nicely and the pop-up headlights work correctly too.

The Mechanics

  • Engine rebuilt by QED to big valve spec with QED high-lift cams in the mid 90's
  • New Stainless steel exhaust system
  • Brakes fully renovated and upgraded
  • CV drive-shafts conversion with metal splines
  • Electronic ignition fitted
  • Rebuilt carburettors
  • New galvanised chassis from Lotus
  • Re-built suspension all round with new bushes and shock absorbers
  • New aluminium fuel tank
  • New fuel and oil pumps
  • Extra isolator switch fitted in the boot
Re-built by Lotus enthusiasts and specialists after 30 years of dry storage this car has been subject to many upgrades and a complete renovation or replacement of all its moving parts.
Regularly serviced and maintained throughout its last 10 years since the renovation this lovely Lotus Elan drives like a dream and goes like the wind.
The heated rear window is the only thing reported to not be working and only recently it had the Weber carburettors refurbished and balanced with all new gaskets fitted.

The Summary

Having been comprehensively restored using an original galvanised chassis supplied from Lotus, with some subtle and useful performance upgrades this car should certainly catch the eye of any Lotus or British sports car enthusiast looking for that very usable classic and iconic car, the +2 version even allowing for carrying two rear seat passengers.

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1969
  • Make Lotus
  • Model Elan+2 S
  • Colour Blue
  • Odometer 67,662 Miles
  • Engine size 1558
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Sussex
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
15 bids from 9 bidders
  • j-•••• £18,000 15/06/22
  • pa•••• £17,750 15/06/22
  • j-•••• £17,500 15/06/22
  • pa•••• £16,750 15/06/22
  • ro•••• £16,500 15/06/22
  • be•••• £16,250 15/06/22
  • ro•••• £16,000 15/06/22
  • ro•••• £15,500 15/06/22
  • ro•••• £14,500 14/06/22
  • Be•••• £13,000 13/06/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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