The Lotus Elan is a delight to drive (if you’re small enough of stature) and is known to be the driving experience Mazda engineers chose to emulate when they created the Miata. This one has been stationary for a while but would be a great car to refurbish. It’s listed for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $15,000 and is located in Santa Cruz, California.
Despite the later-appearing “Sprint” paintwork, this is actually the cleaner-appearing earlier S2 model without the permanent side window frames. Personally, I’d put up with the rattling windows to avoid the frame appearance. You can see how diminutive the car actually is from this shot. The paint actually appears to be in pretty decent shape despite the car having been stored for 30 years. Also note that the Lotus is a right-hand drive model, probably indicating that it was imported from either Japan, Australia, or the UK post-purchase.
Looking closely some small damage spots can be found in the paint finish. I believe the bumpers are fiberglass as is the body, so painting rather than a chrome appearance is expected.
I don’t know what the massive vented rotors are for, but I know they didn’t come on the Lotus! Whoever started to rebuild this car, believed to be the seller, was not a purist, which in Lotus circles isn’t a bad thing. And if you are thinking about what’s under the fiberglass body, fear not, the chassis was replaced with a brand new Spyder chassis at some point (generally considered higher quality than the original). The only thing this project is said to be missing is a pair of seats.
Of course, what would an Elan be without a DOHC under the bonnet? The seller is including two sets of Weber carbs for this rebuilt engine (but it was rebuilt long enough ago you’ll have to reseal it). I really like the looks of this project and want to thank reader Matt R. for sending it in! Have you ever driven an Elan?
Does it use Whitworth?
I had a ’64 Elan “S 1-1/2” (#3892).These are one
of the greatest driving cars – ever.
Interesting car. I like the Spyder frame even though it is not original. And I suppose the rollbar is good, I have one in my Elan, though people these days say they could be unsafe for un-helmeted passengers.
Oddly enough it flared front fenders in the original 26R style, but the rear fenders might be something different, I am not sure.
You will not want to start with this for an original style restoration. For a hot-rod Elan this could be a great start.
Shoulda let Special John play with it…be worth 3 times as much…
If you could get it for closer to $10k it might be a great deal. It says the odometer has rolled over. Yes it needs lots of work.
When I was in college back in the late 60s, a rich kid came to school with an identical Lotus Elan. Didn’t take long for it to be parked waiting for some serious engine parts to arrive from England. The next year he showed up with a Daimler 250. Another rich kid came to sophomore year with a 1950 Dodge business coupe. I was a poor kid paying his way with scholarships and loans and could only drool over what others had. A friend’s father bought her a brand new1967 Camaro hardtop (6 cylinder and 3spd on the floor). That was me in the school cafeteria dishroom trying to survive ($1.25/hr). Let me tell you, THESE are the good ole days, not them! :-)
Folks, this is a great price IF the car actually comes with all the parts required. Spider chassis and integrated roll bar is spendy. Body pretty decent with the exception of wheel wells as someone noted. S2 is the one to have in my view (biased as I own one). Looks like a new dash as well. Knock off composite wheels are nifty. Wonder about suspension etc. in terms of what have been changed. Later model steering wheel is wrong and the proper wood rimmed one is $1,000+.
BUT much worse ones are selling at prices not far off this one. I’d buy it if I didn’t have one
Cheers
Bt
A little risky at 15K IMO. If the engine is okay (specifically the head), then the price is not waaay off. As noted by others, the flares are not quite right which makes you wonder a bit as to the history of the body… Spyder chassis is a plus as originals were subject to rust in the uprights.. I had the original frame and then a spyder frame on my 69 Elan S4SE (still own it). The Spyder frame is a good, practical replacement piece, but not sure it’s “better”, just more conventional and more repairable. Not as elegant as the formed sheet metal original. I also have the roll bar as shown in the ad. Roll bar was too short for me. Roll bar is odd in that the main hoop is two pieces and joined with a with a welded sleeve arrangement. Good starting point if the price can be negotiated down some….
I have owned several Elans, from an S1 on up to S4’s. I currently have an Elan S4 and an Elan +2. Yes they are the most fun cars to drive in my opinion. I will say you do not need to be of small stature to be comfortable driving the little Elan. I’m of slight build but 6’2″ and the friend I bought my S1 from is around 6’5″ and solid build. We both fit in the car, I don’t even put the driver’s seat all the way back. I also love Miatas but… I’m cramped a bit with the driver’s seat pushed ALL the way back, leg room, steering wheel position, etc; are a bit too cozy, but still fun. I’m still not sure how Lotus put all the leg room in the Elan. Parked next to a Miata, one realizes how small the Elan truly is.