Even if this were a non-historic 1966 Lotus Elan coupe being offered here on eBay at no reserve (!) it would be quite special. However, this car has a decorated competition history, comes with much of that history and a lot of other things, and appears to be very solid underneath. It’s located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and bidding is up to $7,100 as I write. I suspect it will continue to rise quite a bit.
This is the same car before it was unearthed from it’s resting spot where it had stayed since the early 1980’s. Unlike many stored vehicles, this one was stored properly, with fresh oil and coolant drained. And it’s quite a car–as the seller states: “This Lotus has some racing provenance. It was owned and driven by well known auto enthusiast and multiple class SCCA driver Walter Grocki. It won multiple races to include the 1973 New England Division Solo II Championship. Other time sheets and trophies are included with the sale and can be seen in photographs in listing. It was raced predominately in the SCCA Solo II class.” Now Solo II is actually a form of autocross, but nonetheless, the car was quite competitive in its day.
The seller points out that the car is cosmetically challenged in spots, most notably here and in the rear. However, that beautiful Lotus shape is still there, and those are real knockoff wheels. It’s a well-known fact that the designers of the original Mazda Miata used Elans as their inspiration, and I feel the coupe version is one of the prettiest cars ever built. So yes, I’d love to be the buyer here.
Look closely at all these dash plaques. How cool! And the original Elan steering wheel is among the spares included with the car.
You just don’t get a car with history like this all the time. And I want that cool BL outfit! Oh well. I hope someone really enjoys this car and gets it back on the road quickly.
The seller tells us that the twin cam engine will run off a bottle, and the frame is really, really solid in the pictures. I think I’m trying to talk myself into it. I suppose if I…oh, never mind. I don’t have enough cars ready to sell yet. But maybe you have always wanted an Elan coupe yourself? If so, I don’t think you’ll come across a better project to play with!
How about that: a rare, special car with racing history (an autocross is racing—against the clock) and lots of documentation, plus large, clear underside shots.
Bidding over $10K now, and no reserve. I wish all resellers were like this one.
Me too, sir, me too.
that looks like a BSA or TRIUMPH chopper in the background picture too-
Triumph. Speaking for myself, I cry every time I see a Triumph frame made into a hardtail.
Ah, wait a minute…while the engine may have been prepped for long term storage properly, I’m not sure the picture of it before being unearthed could be regarded as “stored properly”. ; -). Must have been fun to dig it out though and I agree that the seller is wise to let the market determine its ultimate value at this time and condition.
Mrs.Peel,…we’re needed.