Car & Classic Premium Dealer

Fiskens

14 Queens Gate, Place Mews, LONDON

SW7 5BQ

1962 Lotus Elan For Sale

Issued to world champion Jim Clark as a pre-production factory development car, and the earliest surviving Lotus Elan
Famously photographed with the kilted Clark on his family farm for Lotus advertising campaign – “I drive my Elan for pleasure – not because I have to.”
Later the property of Clark’s mentor Ian Scott Watson, instrumental in starting off Clark’s tremendous career in motorsport
Loaned to Andrew Cowen, of subsequent rally fame, for a race at Ingliston where he finished second for Scottish team Border Reivers
A superb driver’s car, and a symbol of one of Formula One’s greatest champions
Jim Clark's Lotus Elan – offering its new owner a living link with one of Formula One's most extraordinary drivers and most enigmatic characters.  997 NUR is the earliest surviving Elan, issued to Jim Clark in 1962 as a pre-production factory development car.
This Elan is the very car in which the kilted Clark was photographed for a Lotus advertisement at his family’s sheep farm in the Scottish Borders, Edington Mains, saying “I drive my Lotus Elan for pleasure – not because I have to.”
After a year in Jim Clark’s hands and about 15, 000 miles, 997 NUR was returned to Lotus and then very fittingly sold to Ian Scott Watson, the friend and mentor who played the instrumental role propelling the young Clark into Scottish club racing, before Clark’s God-given talents were fully revealed.
During his ownership, Scott Watson loaned the car to Andrew Cowan, a close friend of Clark and subsequently world-famous in rally circles with successes at Rootes and Mitsubishi, for a very wet race at Ingliston where he finished a close second in a field of race-prepared Elans.
After rediscovery in the 1990s, 997 NUR was comprehensively restored, presenting today in its original Carmen Red livery over black interior, with a factory hardtop and a later-fitted 1, 558 cc Weber-carburetted twin-cam engine.
Correspondence with Lotus and a certificate of vehicle provenance confirms that this was the pre-production development car issued to Jim Clark, and the final Elan development car before production of the retail cars commenced.
Recently in the appreciative ownership of another Scots racing driver, 997 NUR has been loaned to the Jim Clark Trust for display.  She was also present at Loretto School (where Clark was a pupil) for a Jim Clark commemoration service.
A symbol of the racing partnership between Lotus and Clark, the significance of 997 NUR of course lies in the wider history of the huge achievements of Jim Clark behind the wheel of Colin Chapman's Lotus racers.  On the road to two Formula One World Championships in 1963 and 1965, Clark took 25 wins in 72 career GP starts in championship races.
With its Lotus twin-cam engine, four-wheel independent suspension, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes, the Elan is a spirited and enjoyable drive today.  Elans are treasured by discerning collectors as great driver’s cars – owners include Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1, and Adrian Newey, the all-time most successful designer in Formula One.
997 NUR offers the guardianship of a superbly drivable living link to one of Formula One’s greatest and best-loved champions.  For any fan of Jim Clark, she will make a suitable prize worthy of Scotland’s world champion driver.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

Very rare Lotus Europa S. First registered 01.05.2007 Mileage 19,796 225 BHP upgrade Titanium storm 3rd owner Full service history all MOTs including new Superb condition inside and out. Probably one of the best Best offers invited<br><br>1st owner: Phil Greenwood, Lotus factory Executive UK sales manager May ...

19,796
10 Mar 2024
Shropshire
Private

This 1968 Lotus Elan Coupe with the 1600cc Twin Cam engine with the side draft Weber carburettors finished in French Blue paint and Red Leather interior. Fitted with a factory sunroof. The car is supported with a large history file. The car was totally nut and bolt restored to the highest standards and is in outstanding ...

5,000
22 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

Plus 2 1968, Blue with white roof. Owned since September 2018, and has just been rewired with all new looms. The car is non standard and was restored a while ago to look like a Plus 2S 130, and is fitted with with a big valve spec twin cam engine by Vegantune. It has a beige Plus 2S interior, new walnut dash, Dellorto ...

12 Mar 2024
Hampshire
Private

A beautiful and very fast vehicle an absolute pleasure to drive great performance with great handling to match. The vehicle was resprayed 3 years ago to repair minor scratches and is now an excellent bright and shining finish. The vehicle has been maintained regardless of cost both in my ownership and previous owners. ...

78,775
3 Mar 2024
West Midlands
Private

LOTUS EXCEL SE 1989. 68k miles, Midnight Blue & Full Magnolia Hide. For Sale £16,500 Registered in August 1989 by Lotus Main Dealer Mann Egerton of 34 Dover Street London W1 and used as their demonstrator. Acquired by my uncle in November 1989 from their Dover Street showroom. Now selling on behalf of my uncle?s estate. ...

67,900
25 Mar 2024
Sussex
Private

A beautiful 1985 Lotus Eclat Excel 2.2 Monaco white with leather interior and half leather and cloth seating in light blue. Interior and exterior is in excellent condition for the age of car, however roof lining does need replacing. Recently had a full silver service and MOT with Lotus dealership on the 14th April 2023 ...

89,365
25 Mar 2024
Hampshire
Private

Just in a beautiful looking example with great pedigree!!! Here we have a 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint For Sale with Only 3 Keepers From New, Its previous keeper owner the car for 38 years, A Proper turnkey no fuss usable car, Finished in Red with Gold Bumpers and Wheels this is a great looking car, Full Engine rebuilt in ...

120,000
15 Mar 2024
Scotland

Complete restoration, car is as new but better. The car has covered 1500 miles mainly to shake down after rebuild. MOT for 12 months, serviced and ready to go. Matching number Lotus Big Valve engine. The best +2 color silver/red with beige interior. Far too much details to put in advert. For more information, contact ...

86,837
27 Mar 2024
Shropshire
Private

Lotus Europa S2 71a for sale. The body has been removed, the frame is blasted and painted. New parts: all brake pipes, discs front, radius arm rear, adjustable lower link arms rear, adjustable upper link arms front, original remains, shock absorbers, all bushings, new aluminum cooling pipes in the frame, engine completely ...

22 Feb 2024
Sweden
Private

This is a great opportunity to get into Lotus Elise ownership (or add to your collection…) at an effective price. The car is for sale on eBay by auction: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166668023281 2002 Ruby Red Lotus Elise S2 Sports Tourer 89,388 miles MOT until 11th March 2025 Extensive service history (see below) Cat ...

89,388
21 Mar 2024
Scotland
Private

Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo January 1997 - iconic boomerang dash model Calypso red with magnolia hide, piped in red. Red carpets Standard running gear, no power boost trickery required, it's fast enough as it is! Full gearbox rebuild 4 yrs ago (Esprit Engineering), the change is now positive and precise. Clutch and ...

43,300
21 Feb 2024
Wales
Private

A lovely Elan+2 in canary yellow with black cabin....chassis showing no signs of rot and the bodywork is in good overall condition with no cracking or crazing. Brightwork and knock-on wheels are all nice and shiny. This is a very nice car that has been well treated.....the history file shows evidence of an engine rebuild ...

100,850
7 Mar 2024
Lincolnshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

Lotus Elan S4 SE roadster In March 1970, this Lotus Elan rolled off the production line in Hethel, England. Chassis number 0078G was originally a so-called drophead coupe for the UK market. In 1989 it was purchased by the current owner, who restored it from 1990-1993. The chassis was replaced with a factory supplied ...

37,474
26 Feb 2024
Netherlands

Anno 1973, proveniente da collezione privata, completamente originale e mai restaurata, mantenuta quindi l?originalità. Vano motore curato ed ordinato. Auto decisamente rara in quanto con targhe nere e guida a sinistra. Ha l?omologazione ASI targa oro, il C.R.S., la fiche ACI/CSAI e l?Heritage Lotus. In dotazione ...

90,000
19 Mar 2024
Italy
Verified Dealer (see stock)

1970 Lotus Elan Type-36 S4 FHC in ground-up restored condition. The car is an unmolested RHD version which was imported into Italy and then ground-up restored and improved by professionals. The owner, a car-designer himself, was keen to keep the car as correct as possible and to have perfect driving abilities. The car ...

31 Jan 2024
Belgium