Description
Lotus Elan Sprint FHC - chassis no 72090528.
Built by Lotus Cars for the October 1972 London Motor Show to introduce the tawny over white colour scheme for the Sprints.
First registered by Lotus in March 1973 the car was used for media and PR purposes prior to being sold to the first owner of 23yrs. It has had 2 subsequent owners before my late father purchased it in 2002 and our family have owned it for the 22rs since. It has therefore had 3 registered keepers over its 68, 400 mile history.
The car has been garaged since we owned it and comes with an indoor custom-fit car cover. We also have the original Lotus workshop manual.
The car comes with a significant file of service history, MOTs, bill of sale and all invoices for works, correspondence including petrol ration vouchers from 1974.
In 2017 we fully restored the underside/ chassis of the car with Paul Matty Lotus Specialist (now Classic Sports Cars Limited) including a new replacement chassis and wider replacement/ upgrades including drive shafts. No work was needed on the engine at this point as it was overhauled at 51k miles by an ex-Lotus service manager. Besides the chassis, the car remains almost totally original with only a battery safety cut-out switch, Clarion tape stereo, upgraded starter motor and basic immobilizer added since.
The interior and bodywork are original and carry with it the charm and nostalgia transporting occupants back over 50yrs. That said - the bodywork reflects just that - it is the original 52yr old paint and buyers should be under no illusion that inspecting the car closely will identify a number of marks, chips and scratches from the history. The only sign of very very minor cracking are on the bonnet - photo included and hardly visible. The photos shared were taken in Spring and Autumn. Contact me for walk round videos if interested.
In January a local garage ensured it was clear to drive with an MOT equiv. check and replacement battery. It has been running nicely on local B-roads over the summer however 2 minor ailments have been recently identified:
i) the car idylls a little off, likely in need of the plugs changing
ii) the gear lever appears to be misaligned in that first gear is further forward than it should be and needs adjusting or investigating. Gear select and box operates fine otherwise and drives normally.
I am selling the car on behalf of my mother, from her home near Thame, Bucks.
