Highlights

550 miles since full restoration
Excellent condition throughout
A few sensible upgrades

The Appeal

“The light and tactile steering combined with supple suspension and a weird, physics-defying sense of zero weight transfer in corners provides a sensation akin to flying just over the ground. I'm convinced there's a powerful pleasure centre in the brain that remains untapped until you drive an Elan. It's almost a drug.” - Road & Track magazine December 2012

We couldn’t put it better ourselves. When Mazda set out to build a driver’s sports car it was the Elan that they studied when conceiving the MX5, and not without good reason.

Nimble, fast and involving, the Lotus Elan provides what is probably the most entertaining and exciting driving experience you can have in a classic sports car.

This beautifully restored example is as good as you will find and is ready to be enjoyed.

History and Paperwork

1st registered July 1966
Just 6 owners
49,000 miles from new
Full restoration completed in early 2000s
Purchased by the seller in 2019 from Paul Matty sports cars
Every component restored or rebuilt
Early non air extractor Series 3 body, with electric windows
New powder coated Lotus chassis (not aftermarket replacement)
Approximately 550 miles since restoration completed
Rear Rotoflex shafts replaced with Spicer CV joint shafts (originals come with car)
Speedometer replaced, original comes with car
Recent history in file
Last MoT expired in April 2019
V5c document plus copies of older registration documents
Offered for sale to make way for new project

The Interior

Immaculate interior
New wooden dashboard with correct early toggle switches
Perfect seats

A quick glance inside the Elan reveals an interior that’s had everything either refurbished or replaced.

Apart from a bit of dust and some shoe scuffs, it could be described as faultless. A pleasant afternoon with the company of a bottle of interior cleaner and a duster would probably have it looking better than it did upon delivery.

It’s not clear whether the seats are the originals or replacements, but they are perfect and comfortable. The Elan is equipped with electric windows operated via toggle switches on the dashboard and the windows have the frames of the later Series 3s.

As the Elan was registered in July 1966 we could assume that it was built after October 1965 when the electric windows were introduced.

It also has the bonnet release handles mount at the top of the dash which is a Series 2 and early Series 3 feature. It should be noted that the odometer reads 550 miles, but this is a replacement speedometer.

The original comes with the Elan and reads 48,606, so total mileage is 49,156.

The black carpets were also replaced during the resto, and they are still clean and unmarked. The contrasting white headlining helps brighten the interior, and it is also clean with no staining, and no creasing.

The centre console is also a replacement item so that looks new too.

All in all there is very little to find fault with throughout the interior.

The Exterior

Excellent paint and fibreglass
Impressive panel fit
Smart steel wheels with knock off centres and fresh Kleber tyres

The attractive light blue colour of the Elan suits the diminutive size making it appear simple and toy like; it is after all a very small car!

The lack of chrome parts gives it a sporting look, and combined with the racy knock-off wheels it just begs to be driven. The fit of the long doors is impressive as the shut lines are consistent and the doors have no droop when open.

The bonnet and boot are also well aligned with consistent gaps all round. The fibreglass has no cracks or starring that we could see, and apart from a few flies and some garage debris the exterior is pretty much faultless.

The seller will refit the driver’s side headlight bezel prior to the sale as it was in the boot when we visited. Also in the boot was a metal black and silver number plate for the rear which currently has a sticker plate, plus the original air cleaner assembly that could be refitted if so desired.

The headlights popped up evenly and correctly which can often be an issue which results in a “one eye half shut” look. The glass is all clear and unmarked with no misting or chips.

The Lotus badges and exterior fittings all appear to be correct for the Series 3.

As we said earlier, a look at production differences between the Series reveals only one solid fact: no facts are absolute in Lotus Elan world. Many features, like the C pillar air extractors appeared after the Series 3 had been out for a few months most likely around Type 36 body 6000.

This Body is number 5762 so that may explain why it has the earlier Lotus badges detailing their racing credentials on each side C pillar.

The Mechanics

Virtually all mechanical components refurbished, reconditioned or replaced
Engine rebuilt with new valves and guides
New oil and water pumps, clutch assembly and stainless steel exhaust

Mechanically the Elan is fresh and well sorted.

It drove beautifully during our brief visit, and we couldn’t help being impressed when we opened the bonnet.

The engine bay is exceptionally smart and tidy without any grime or evidence of leaks. The list on file of items that were either replaced or reconditioned during the restoration covers nearly every component, with some further fettling being carried out since.

At the time of restoration the brakes were upgraded to a power-assisted system, but these proved far too aggressive in such a light car and the booster and larger callipers were removed, but they are included.

In 2019 the radiator was replaced with a new aluminium item with high output fan and switch.

Looking at the engine bay there is minor surface corrosion on the exposed metal surfaces such as the exhaust manifold, but all the black painted surfaces have just a light coating of dust.

The Weber 40DCOE trumpets are visible as the air cleaner is in the boot, but this afforded us the opportunity to inspect the engine more closely and it all looks to be nicely installed with good attention to detail.

The underside of the Elan is equally clean and tidy; it obviously hasn’t been driven far since completion as there is no road grime.

Overall we think that there are unlikely to be any nasty mechanical surprises as so much work has been completed, and to a high standard by someone who obviously knows how to do things properly!

Summary

If you haven’t experienced the simple driving pleasure that an Elan affords then this would be an excellent opportunity to find out why those “in the know” hold them in such high esteem.

Quite simply, this is a beautifully restored example that needs nothing doing, and is ready to be enjoyed.

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