The Elan was years ahead of the opposition and another masterpiece design by Colin Chapman, even today it is hard to find a better driving lightweight sports car.

This is a genuine home-market SE model that was first registered in Uk in 1970 and although in generally good condition it underwent a transformative upgraded restoration from 2017 to 2019.

Lotus never built a long-legged GT model capable of long-distance road trips as they were geared for acceleration so standard cars are very “busy ” at motorway speeds.

The brief for this build was to retain the basic qualities of the original Elan design but to enhance weaker areas well recognised and ultimately provide an Elan that could tour including European trips with the relaxing nature of a GT car.

The transformation around 4, 000 miles ago included:

Tony Thompson 26R strengthened chassis protective coating applied, Spyder tubular wishbones
Adjustable front and rear dampers inc adjustable springs, TTR Driveshafts replacing Rotaflex
Upgraded grooved brake discs, callipers, master cylinder, servo, steel braided hoses
Engine fully rebuilt inc forged pistons, high lift cam, bigger valves, balanced crank, gas flowed, Strombergs used for drivability, big bore stainless manifold circa 125 bhp
New Voigts 5 speed gearbox(based on Ford) upgraded diff carrier, prop UJs etc.
Uprated Coolex radiator, rad ducting, elec fan all resulting in big cooling improvements
Modern electrical rewire with 16 fuses, high torque starter, lightweight alternator, uprated heater from London taxi
Blaupunkt sound system inc 4 concealed speakers
Dynomat and sound insulation throughout
Bespoke dashboard, Momo Prototipo steering wheel
Smartrak immobiliser/ tracking system
Bodywork reworked integrating flared wheel arches, floors stiffened
All of the above and more has been carried out to the highest standards and panel fit quality is the best I have seen on any Elan.

On the road, she is incredible retaining the balance and poise of this amazing design but with even more precision and long-distance ability with the long-legged, 5-speed gearbox and carefully tuned engine.

The standard of finish throughout is outstanding and detailing to a much-improved standard especially integrated into the build to offer reliability often lacking in standard 1970s Lotus cars.

All the work is documented and there are two thorough history files mostly populated with invoices from the UK’s respected Lotus specialists dating back to the 1970/ 80s mot certificates, and thousands have been spent ensuring she is the best looking and driving Elan available, she was even featured in Classic and sports car magazine recently.

Many motoring enthusiasts claim that the Elan is their favourite driving machine and any serious driver will agree once you sample the fluidity of the chassis the lightness of the controls and the evocative sound of the race-bred twin cam.

These are very special machines and have never been replicated with any modern design proving that Colin Chapman was a design genius.