1970 Lotus Elan S4 SE

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• A lovely example of the much-imitated sixties sports car

• Cosmetically and mechanically refreshed

• Engine rebuilt by the previous owner

• Improved but hardly used by the current owner

• A fabulous way to enjoy classic top down motoring in the spring sunshine

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

When modern manufacturers have sought to reinvent the British sports car of the sixties, they’ve all had one particular model in mind: the Lotus Elan. Powered by the legendary Lotus TwinCam engine, it was a benchmark for performance and handling and Colin Chapman’s lightweight roadster set the template for much of what was to come.

Underpinned by a steel backbone chassis and clothed in attractive glass fibre bodywork, the Elan may have spawned a number of imitators but those who experience one today still rate the driving experience very highly. Of course, you’re not getting modern levels of equipment or crash protection but if you want a classic roadster that is fun to drive as it is to look at, then look no further.

It has simplicity on its side from a maintenance point of view, too. Largely based on Ford mechanicals, parts are widely available and there’s an enthusiastic community of Lotus fans on hand to advise and assist.

This example has seen plenty of attention and not a great deal of use over the last ten years which means that the next owner will benefit from considerable investment in maintenance and improvement work that have left it fighting fit and ready to go. SE spec means that it has servo assisted brakes, knock on wheel spinners and other things that we take for granted today like inertia reel seat belts, electric windows and a carpeted boot.

But it’s really all about the drive and from what we’ve seen, this one looks like a fantastic way to experience classic top-down motoring while enjoying the performance and handling attributes that other manufacturers have aspired to ever since.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

• Registered new 1 March 1970

• French registration documents show that it spent some time on the continent

• Repatriated 2015

• In current ownership since 2017 and treated to numerous upgrades including a full respray, new dashboard, new brake callipers, discs and pads all round, new brake master and slave cylinders, a clutch slave cylinder, a new battery and alternator

• There are receipts for most of the recent work and also some from previous ownership showing an engine overhaul around 2015

• It’s also reported that the car was restored in the early 1990s on a powder coated chassis and that the Rotoflex couplings and shock absorbers were replaced around the time of the engine work but unfortunately the paperwork to support this has gone astray

• The original handbook is supplied

• MOT and tax exempt

• V5 present in the owner’s name

• HPI clear

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• When you swing open the door, if you’re paying attention, you’ll note how far it cuts into the wing, making for easy entry and egress even for the taller driver, considerably more so than for some later Lotuses

• The cabin is a model of sixties’ simplicity with black leatherette seats and a handsome wood-faced dashboard which houses delightful Smiths dials

• Up front, the dashboard has recently been replaced and is in as-new condition with a rev counter that is considerably more sophisticated than it looks, with hidden electronics sitting behind it

• The lovely three spoke steering wheel has nicely patinated leather on the rim and Colin Chapman’s signature embossed in the lower spoke

• The seats, meanwhile, are very well preserved and have had some additional padding inserted into the base which has reportedly made them much more comfortable

• Being SE spec, there are electric windows which operate just as they should and niceties such as seatbelts and carpet in the boot

• Underfoot, the carpets are all in great shape and the cubby behind the seats is also very well preserved

• In the boot, things look very neat and tidy and below the floor is a spare wheel which looks very fresh

• In all, it’s a very welcoming environment and very comfortable to be in

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• Resprayed in the original colour scheme in 2019, the pretty little roadster still presents very well

• On closer inspection, despite extensive preparation, there are some areas of tiny microbubbles in the paint but you do have to look very hard to see them

• There are a few small marks around the bodywork, including a small crack in the nearside front bumper and another next to the nearside headlight, but again you have to be studying it very carefully to spot them

• The roof had not been up during the current owner’s tenure until the photoshoot but is in very good condition

• Black painted steel wheels are held in place with knock-on spinners and all wear tyres with good tread

• The chrome work is in very good order throughout

• In summary, unless you’re a concours judge, it looks great, attracts plenty of positive attention, and is very usable

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

• The 1558cc Lotus Twincam four cylinder engine fires enthusiastically and pulls strongly throughout the rev range with a suitably rorty soundtrack

• It’s mated to a four-speed gearbox and drives the rear wheels via a limited slip differential

• On a brief test ride on greasy roads, it held on well and the refreshed brakes proved surprisingly effective for a car of its age

• The maintenance records show that it’s received a great deal of care and attention in recent years and hasn’t been used, so it’s ready to be enjoyed

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

A lovely example of the car that set the template for modern roadsters. It looks great, goes well and has evidently been well maintained so it should make its new owner very happy indeed.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Solihull, West Midlands.