Registered in West Yorkshire from new with a full ownership history
Original, early registration
Fully restored to a high standard
The Appeal
The first commercial success for Lotus, introduced in 1962, the Lotus Elan is an excellent example of the British 60s roadster phenomenon. Indeed, dependent on who you ask, it may well be the best. While we don’t want to play classics here at C&C, it is a little hard to argue the model’s sheer strengths.
Unusually fast compared to its contemporaries, with Lotus’s signature skills for handling and suspension, these cars are still exceptionally well regarded and would go on to inspire decades of top-down motors, long after production ceased in 1973.
This Bourne-bodied example has recently returned to the road after a restoration from the ground up, following some forty-three years held in storage. The result is a simply remarkable survivor of a truly iconic motor.
The History and Paperwork
Believed to have been supplied as a complete car, rather than the cheaper kit car
Early Bourne-bodied car as identified by chassis plate and one of 1,000 such early cars
First registered in March 1964
Second order in 1973
Third owner in 1974
Fourth owner in 1975
During this period it was repainted from Cirrus White to Red
Fifth owner in 1976 - when it was stripped for restoration
In 2019 it changed hands to the current owners, who embarked on restoration
Every one of these owners has been based in West Yorkshire
This is no doubt a big factor in the car’s low mileage
New replacement chassis - supplied by Lotparts limited and manufactured using the original Lotus jig
However, the body shell and components are heavy original throughout
The car indicates 80,278 miles, which is backed up by the car’s history
Every original component has been collated, identified and renewed
The car is now in excellent running order
Paperwork file includes:
Heritage Certificate
Original green log book with all owner changes
A pair of tax discs from 1975 and 1976
A certificate from the last MOT, issued in 1975
Paperwork from 1983 regarding the refusal of a V5C until the car was restored
A photographic record of restoration including the car’s original ‘as found’ condition
Plenty of invoices from during the restoration
A Brooklands workshop manual
A comprehensive guide to the Lotus Twin-Cam engine by Miles Wilkins
Lotus Elan Restoration Guide by Gordon Lund
Original period Workshop Manual
Period colour range chart
Paperwork for the Negative Earth Dynalite equipment
Newly registered V5C document
Club Lotus valuation certificate
A full record of every company and contractor involved in the restoration
The Interior
Restored interior with a new wooden dash
Period instruments throughout make the car a highly tactile drive
Retrimmed seats
Thanks to a cossetting restoration by the current owners, this Elan’s interior does little to betray its venerable age. The wooden dashboard is in excellent condition, having been refitted and all instruments cleaned up and refurbished. Every tactile switch and knob is in excellent order, while the dials are in excellent condition with good, clean glasses. We’re informed that all switches and dials are working, but the period radio is currently faulty.
It’s completed with a Lotus branded steering wheel, and a wood-trimmed, Lotus-branded gearstick. Both of these present perfectly with no meaningful faults, and make for a very beguiling centrepiece.
The seats have been completely recovered and thus present in practically new condition, with no rips, tears or meaningful wear across the board. The mounts have been completely refurbished and lack any meaningful wear. Underneath, The carpets are new, and look in great condition.
Round the back, the boot is entirely recarpeted and looks to be in fine fettle.
The Exterior
Fully refurbished to period condition, with original Cirrus White paintwork
Pop-up headlights in full working order
Chassis is painted in 2K Epoxy Primer as well as Lotus’s signature Red Oxide paint
Beautifully finished, and clearly a labour of love, this Elan carries plenty of period character and is remarkably presented. Repainted in its factory-spec Cirrus White, this car is a very beguiling roadster - and a great ambassador for the model.
With its fibreglass body free of cracks - and, by nature of being fibreglass, free of corrosion - there are no dents or dings we can spot, and the pop-up lights are working perfectly.
The glasswork and lenses present perfectly, the branding is all present and correct, and it all looks particularly solid. The Cirrus White really suits the car and makes for a stylish, almost retro-futurist appeal.
The car is sat on a set of refurbished period wheels, painted in a 2K epoxy primer and finished with Ford Silver Fox paint. These are, in turn, shod in a full set of Pirelli Cinturato tyres.
Underneath, the car’s chassis has been treated with 2K epoxy, as have the suspension components. These are still colour-coordinated in black and Red Oxide accordingly, so the treatment doesn’t affect the car’s period appearance - a signature of the car’s impeccable attention to detail.
The Mechanics
Fully restored, rebuilt and renewed
1558cc Lotus Engine
4-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission
Popping open the bonnet of this Elan should get the blood pumping for any enthusiast. The engine and gearbox have both been completely stripped, cleaned and refurbished, with a specialist checking, boring and grinding components back to their very best.
The car has been relooked and rewired, with a new Dynalite alternator, while the brake callipers have been completely renewed, which combines with the aforementioned suspension and chassis work to make for a truly superb example.
The engine bay is in practically new condition, and the car is reportedly starting, shifting, braking and running with no issues, maintaining its exceptional period character. These cars are still incredibly well-respected, and we’ve no doubt that this example will charm even the most cynical enthusiast.
Summary
Put simply, this nearly 60-year-old Lotus is practically a brand new car. With that thorough restoration and rebuild under its belt, we’re content that this car is a real winner, and is backed by a superb history, as well as a list of every single company and tradesman who’ve brought it back to life.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
