Vehicle Description
PLEASE NOTE THIS CAR IS NOW BEING AUCTIONED ON THE BRING A TRAILER
WEBSITE West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely
exceptional 1969 Lotus Elan SE S4 Convertible with its original
matching #'s 1,558 CC DOHC Inline 4 cylinder engine with dual
Zenith Stromberg twin choke carburetors with 115 BHP @ 6,000 RPM
matched to it's original 4 speed manual gearbox with 4 wheel
hydraulic disc brakes, 4 wheel independent suspension, amp;
recently acquired from 48 years of fastidious single owner care and
painstakingly restored over several years with complete
documentation which was completed in 2014 with the restoration
supervised by none other than premier Elan expert Brian Buckland
amp; consequently voted 'Best Elan' at the 2104 Annual Lotus
Gathering. Will be sold accompanied by comprehensive documentation
binders of records. This is the 444th out of 473 Elan S4's and
built in December 1969 with a G prefix engines. Chassis #
45/9764Engine # G/21402Body # 8307 Two-Owner Example from new car
and now offered from over 48 Years of Fastidious CareNo expense
spared restoration completed in 2015 by a team of Elan experts some
flown in from the UK specifically, including Dave Bean Engineering
and overseen by Brian BucklandAccompanied by comprehensive document
binder from 1972 to presentAward winning as the Best Elan at the
2014 West Coast Lotus MeetAmong the finest of Its type anywhere; a
Lotus for those who want the very bestFiberglass car that weighs
only 1,515 lbs (yes, much lighter than any other sports car of its
kind!), top speed of over 120mph, corners and tracks like no other
sports car!This outstanding Elan SE was purchased by the consignor
in 1972, when he became just its second owner from new. Its current
outstanding condition is the product of a painstaking,
well-documented restoration by marque experts including Dave Bean
Engineering. The work was finished in 2014 under the watchful eye
and skilled hands of premier Elan expert Brian Buckland, who
traveled from the UK on three occasions to see this car. The engine
was rebuilt by Duffee Motorsports, with the cylinder head and
carburetors done by James Unsworth.The previous owner had enjoyed,
maintained, and restored the Elan for almost 50 years as a true
labor of love. Accordingly, he has amassed an exceptional file of
documentation that includes service invoices from 1972, restoration
records, history, and restoration photos, as well as the original
owners manual and maintenance book, and provenance documentation
from Lotus Company archivist Andy Graham. Resplendent in its
factory-original livery, the cars impressive presentation resulted
in the Best Elan Award at the 2014 West Coast Lotus Gathering.
Offered from loving, long-term ownership and restored to an
extraordinary standard, this splendid Elan SE stands as a most
fitting exemplar of the rich Lotus heritage. Founded by visionary
Colin Chapman, Lotus epitomizes innovation and race bred
performance, having earned no less than 7 F1 World Championships.
Road cars from the marque began with the Seven in 1957, and soon
followed by the Elite. The Elan appeared in 1962. Built upon a
backbone chassis and considered by many the first 'modern' sports
car and regarded as one of the best handling cars ever made, which
is quite some tribute, the Elan was indeed one of, if not the best
handling, and most influential cars of its kind. The definitive SE
arrived in 1966 with an uprated 1.5L engine, power brakes, close
ratio gearbox and taller final drive. It's power was exceptional
and along with it's light glass fiber 1515 lbs body it was
virtually unbeatable in it's class with a top speed of over 120mph
and on cornering it neither under or over-steered but could track
on a line around the steepest of bends and gave huge levels of grip
even on 6.4 inch tires! Available in both open and closed body
styles with a fiber glass body and pop up headlamps it progressed
through five different series designated S1 to S4 from 1962 through
1971. Imported to the US but in very limited numbers. This
outstanding example is the product of a painstaking well documented
restoration with select upgrades from Dave Bean engineering for
enhanced safety and reliability. The work was performed under the
watchful eye of skilled hands of premier Elan expert Brian
Buckland. The engine was rebuilt by James Unsworth. The second
owner, who acquired the car in 1972 had enjoyed, maintained and
eventually fully restored as a true labor of love. Accordingly he
amassed an exceptional file of documentation that includes service
invoices from 1972 as well as restoration records and photos and an
actual book dedicated to the car no less! Reportedly the car has
been driven less than some 600 miles since the restoration.
Handsome and boasting it's original factory livery, the car's
exceptional condition and quality of presentation won it the 'Best
Elan Award' at the 2014 Annual Lotus Owners Gathering. With an
undamaged from new body, a very important consideration in these
very vulnerable to crash damage fiber glass cars, and with body
parts now very hard to come by, this car is a very rare opportunity
being offered from this long term ownership and restored to an
extraordinary standard, this special Elan SE stands out as most
fitting example of the rich Lotus heritage and is ready for the
most fastidious collector's collection! This is a rare opportunity
to own a very rare and internationally desirable 1969 Lotus SE with
no examples available anywhere close to this particular car's
condition and a great addition for any American or indeed British
classic sports car collector or enthusiast to add to their
collection or obviously any 'Lotus' enthusiast!