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

BEFORE YOU BUY

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