The Elan model from Lotus was produced between 1963 and 1973. During that 10-year span, there were several different models produced. The majority, like the example here, were Roadsters. Very light, great handling, and fast, the Elan was designed by Ron Hickman, who also, strangely enough, designed the Black and Decker Workmate bench! They were the first Lotuses to be built with GRP bodies and a backbone-type chassis. This S3 is available now here on craigslist for $35,000. It is in Sonoma, California. Thanks very much to Zappenduster for yet another great tip!
The same family has owned this Elan S3 for 5 decades. The odometer reads 65,780 miles, and it recently went through a complete mechanical, electrical, and interior restoration. The paint is said to be good, but the owner admits there are some chips and wear. Only 700 miles have been clocked since the restoration.
The Elan S3 in 1967 came with a 1558 cc four-cylinder engine that produced approximately 106 horsepower. Combined with its lightweight 689 kg (1518 pounds) design, the Elan reached a top speed of 125 miles per hour. The zero-to-sixty time was a quick 6.6 seconds.
The vehicle comes with a full portfolio of restoration work. The post also includes several pictures that show much of the restoration process. According to the Lotus Registry, there were a total of 2,650 S3 models produced from 1965 to 1968. This small number makes this car fairly rare, as only 302 are currently registered with their site. At $35,000, a fully restored California Elan S3 could be a bargain, since well-maintained models sometimes exceed $50,000. Could this be the roadster you are looking for?
Have to say BF is really filling my Dream Garage today!
The Elan has long been a favorite, a car that lives up to all the claims made for it. It is speedy yet economical, handles like a go-kart yet rides smoothly, and to me it’s very easy on the eyes.
I can easily believe that Mazda modeled the Miata/MX-5 after the Elan. When it comes to small sports cars, there was no other choice.
At least I don’t have to find a garage big enough to hold an Elan, Morris Minor, AMX and Willys! But I can dream….
Mazda bought the rights to the Elan from Lotus,before they released to MX-5
(miata)
The Japanese were not great innovators but they usually took something and improved upon it immensely. I loved owning my Elans 50+ years ago, however I was good at wrenching so it didn’t bother me to constantly repair and ‘tweak’ them. Mazda took the Elan design, kept the basic footprint and made it a reliable and ‘still-fun’ driver. Elans were not for everyone but the Miatas could be and that is why they were so successful. Even today the early 90’s Miatas are in demand…….
I believe this Elan belongs to Rich Kamp,who owns
Kampena Motors “Send Your Elan to Kamp”.He does
excellent work,& restored my Elan S1-1/2 that I sold
for the new owner.
Mine (#3892) never ran while I had it,& finally admitted
to myself that I’d never finish it.You know it’s time to sell
a project car when you automaticly walk around parts that
have been in the garage for years.
I got to drive Bruce Patrick’s Elan when I was in Vancouver,-
British Columbia,& came away flat impressed with how it drove!
The 67 S3 is a hybrid of the S2’s and the S4’s. It has the older taillights and real wood dashboard of the S2 and the power window frames and knock off wheels of the S4’s. I owned five Elans back in the 70’s and my 65 S2 is the only car today, I wish I still had. Fun drivers and very slick! ‘ LOTUS, If you don’t know what it is, you certainly won’t know how to drive it!’ That is a Lotus metal pin-on button of the day…..
Just look at the happy face of the car in the picture! That tells it all!
Great cars if you can fit, and have tiny feet.
Howie… my foot with shoes covered the gas and brake pedal! In the summer I mostly drove them without shoes……
My 13s are a tough fit, got to sort of drive one once , barefoot worked better
Mrs Peel’s car…
…loved that show; Mrs. Peel was my first crush, LOL.
That is exactly what I was going to post!! Lol!
I had a 65 S2, and as Joey mentioned, it was one I too should have kept. I have never liked the window frames on the later models. Or the Strombergs ftm. Mine had some “ducts” in the front crossmember, which resulted in the headlights folding up under hard acceleration. I solved it of course, but that chassis, between the crossmember and the uprights, taught me welding.
A friend. Gary had an early ’67 S2 with dual Webers and an exhaust you could easily stuff a grapefruit into. I spent many hours clinging to the passenger seat. It was a LOT faster than 125mph, as I sure would be testified to by the Moultonboro, NH State Police Barracks of the time. I can specifically recall travelling South on Rte 93 between Derry, NH and Woburn, MA, racing a couple of girls in a Chrysler 300 and hitting at least 147mph.
Want.
Strange, no full shots from the side or with the top up. I want to drool more….
I bought an Elan Fixed Head Coupe in England and had a vynal top and sun roof installed and drove it around there and shipped it to the U.S. back in 1970s. I didn’t like the roadster with chrome frames with the top down so bought a Coupe. The car was great and handled like a co-cart! I sold it to a guy from Denver and wish I hadn’t. A great car!
If you’re gonna buy an Elan, buying Rich Kamp’s Elan would be the absolutely smartest thing you could do. One of the top notch Elan experts on the West Coast.
There are significant differences in the the change year 1967 S3s to the S4s as in all British marques due to the federalization at that time of imports to the US. The Elans were cheapened slightly in quality. The fiberglass was different and poorer quality, the Stromberg carbs were a severe demotion from the Webers, the dashboard became a laminate in which they all cracked. Rocker switches replaced the toggles. There were many other little changes that you would not know if you didn’t own the various years. The S4s were still fun but there were not the same as the S2s and 3s which were ‘more raw!’. Very different cars……….