Highlights
- Smart Series 3 in red with steel wheels and black interior
- Current keeper since 2008
- Extensive mechanical rebuild, including engine and gearbox
- Fitted with a galvanised chassis
- Comprehensive history file with receipts totalling around £19,000
- Featured in Classic Car Weekly at Brooklands Drive It Day
- Voluntary MOT valid until July 2026
The Appeal
There are other '60s sports cars, but if you want the best of them, then you want an Elan. With handling that still sets the benchmark for light, nimble two-seaters and the sort of looks that continue to influence Lotus and other sports car design, the original Elan is a proper classic treat.
This 1966 car, with its distinctive registration, began life as a 36-prefix FHC and was converted some years ago to a convertible. The work, judging from the photos, appears to have been completed to a good standard and the car is now finished in classic red.
The vendor acquired the car in 2008 when it had already been fitted with a galvanised chassis by a previous keeper. Since purchase, he tells us that he has invested £19,000 in the car in the intervening years. The work has included an engine and gearbox rebuild. There are useful improvements such as an alloy radiator, electric fan and Spax shock absorbers. In 2025, there is a long list of work completed, including clutch release bearing and ring gear, timing chain adjustment, carburettors balanced and setup, and a new brake master cylinder. A new battery was fitted in 2026.
The car comes to market with the transparency of a useful voluntary MOT that is valid to July 2026.
The vendor says:
“The car is excellent to drive and still gives a thrill even after 17 years of ownership. Acceleration is strong, handling and roadholding are great, and the steering is sublime. It gets a lot of attention too. It was one of the cars Classic Car Weekly featured at Brooklands Drive It Day in April 2025. The overall condition is good but not perfect and would benefit from little cosmetic work to remedy the minor paintwork damage plus some restitching to the soft top.
“The mechanical rebuild work plus sensible upgrades to the ignition, electrical and cooling systems mean the car is comfortable in heavy traffic and can be used regularly. It has only let me down twice: once due to a poor electrical connection at the coil and once due to an oil pressure issue possibly caused by a faulty oil filter. Both issues fully resolved over 10 years ago and have not recurred. Reluctant sale but we need to downsize and I cannot keep the car. Time to let it go. An Elan was the only car I really aspired to own, and it hasn't disappointed.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st February 1966
- Series 3 car with correct 36 chassis number
- Seven registered keepers
- Current keeper since June 2008
- Purchased from Lotus specialist Paul Matty
- Converted to DHC (Drop Head Coupe) specification before current ownership
- Comprehensive history documentation dating back to 1986
- All receipts totalling around £19,000 included
- Always garaged and rarely used in wet conditions
- Featured in Classic Car Weekly at Brooklands Drive It Day in April 2025
- Reluctant sale due to downsizing
- 2025 repairs detailed below
- Previously recorded as red and white which was changed in 2004
- Voluntary MOT valid to 31st July 2026 with one advisory to note
- New battery fitted 2026
- Always garaged according to seller
The Condition
- Older repaint in red, which presents generally well in photos
- Vendor advises that paint polishes well but has blemishes on bonnet and boot lid
- Micro blistering present we are told
- Replacement galvanised chassis fitted prior to vendor buying car in 2008
- Front sidelights and heater intake grill replaced
- Black vinyl roof in fair condition with clear rear screen
- Vendor advises that soft top requires some restitching
- Original veneer dashboard appears in good condition
- All switchgear and instruments work we are told
- Tachometer occasionally sticks (following negative earth electrics conversion)
- 1960s radio included but not fitted
- Recovered central armrest and replacement gear knob
- Electric windscreen washer installed (replacing manual pump)
- New interior light fitted
- Moto-Lita three-spoke leather-rimmed steering wheel
- Black vinyl seats and matching carpets in good order as shown
- Cigarette lighter removed and hole blanked off
- Original lighter kept and can be refitted
- Would benefit from some cosmetic work to remedy paintwork damage
- Replica steel wheels in stronger, thicker steel similar to factory items
- Wheels painted silver in good order with three-eared spinners
- Matching Uniroyal tyres in good condition as shown
The Mechanics
- Lotus twin-cam 1,558cc engine
- Four-speed manual transmission
- List of work since 2008 detailed below
- Further work in 2025 recorded below
- Single advisory on current MOT
- Runs with good oil pressure we are told
- No overheating due to alloy radiator and integral electric cooling fan says seller
- Vendor reports that it performs well in heavy traffic
- Reportedly only broken down twice in 17 years due to minor issues
- New battery fitted 2026
Work since 2008:
- Engine rebuilt
- Gearbox rebuild
- Alloy radiator
- Alternator
- Electronic ignition
- Spax rear shock absorbers
- New rear springs
- New coil and HT leads
- Replacement propshaft
- Billet thermostat housing
- Hand priming pump fitted for easy starting after standing
Work in 2025:
- Clutch release bearing
- Ring gear replaced
- Timing chain adjusted
- Carburettors balanced and set up
- Brake master cylinder replaced
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