Description
Launched in 1962, the Lotus Elan is an iconic reminder of Lotus sports cars, the Swinging Sixties and Colin Chapman. The Elan epitomised Chapman’s radical thinking and was technologically ahead of its time: a fibreglass body on a steel backbone chassis; a punchy, double overhead camshaft engine; independent front and rear suspension and disc brakes all round. True to Chapman’s design philosophy the car weighed a mere 726kg and its go-kart-like handling made it both fun to drive and successful on the track.
An original example of a rare Lotus Elan S2 convertible with a factory hardtop, finished in red with a new black vinyl interior and a new black soft-top. Having just over 100, 000 kms, the car has seen very little use since being purchased in 1984 by a successful Austrian racing driver for his private collection. It’s a wonderful example of a ‘much copied but never equalled’, classic British sports car.
The car was delivered, new, in December 1965 by the official Lotus distributor in Vienna, Austria, and still carries their dealership plaque on its dashboard. It is 1 of 4 LHD Elans sold in Austria and 1 of only 400 European LHD cars built. As its comprehensive history file shows, it passed through the hands of a number of enthusiasts, before being purchased by Erich Breinsberg in 1984. Erich was a well-known Austrian racing driver who had raced with teammate Niki Lauda in the Kaimann Team, competing very successfully in Formula Super Vee during the late 1960s.
Since buying the car from Erich we’ve recommissioned it for everyday use: it’s been thoroughly inspected and serviced and we’ve fitted a new tyres. A previous owner fitted wide steel wheels and had the wheel arches professionally flared to allow the car to compete on hill climbs but, although these modifications would be very easy to remove, we feel they add to the period flavour of this fabulous little car.
