Colin Chapman’s legendary lightweight sports car formula is alive and well in this 1968 Lotus Elan SE. Finished in classic British Racing Green over black, this example has been extensively rebuilt and upgraded for reliable use without sacrificing its raw, analog charm. It’s listed here on eBay and is located in the United States.
Power comes from a recently rebuilt 1.6L Lotus Twin-Cam engine topped with dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, giving it more punch and responsiveness than the standard Stromberg setup. The rebuild included a new front cover with an upgraded cassette-style water pump, a refreshed cylinder head with relapped valves, a new timing chain, mounts, and a full new exhaust. Add in a gear-reduction starter, new alternator, and updated cooling system, and it’s clear this Elan was built to drive, not just to show.
The mechanical upgrades continue with a full suspension refresh using rebuilt Koni shocks and new bushings, as well as an upgrade to CV-joint rear axles for improved drivability. New front brake calipers and rebuilt rears handle stopping duties, and a complete new wiring harness ensures electrical reliability. The 4-speed gearbox is said to be crisp and free from any grinding or gear pop-out.
Cosmetically, the car presents as a well-loved driver. The BRG paint has good gloss but shows its age with various chips and touch-ups across most panels. The soft top functions but has minor separation at the rear window. Glass and seals have been addressed, including new door and windscreen rubbers, and a tonneau cover and spare wheel are included.
Inside, new seat kits, foam, and carpets complement a gorgeous NOS wood dashboard and refurbished Smiths gauges. The driver’s door panel shows some wear, but overall, the cabin has vintage character and a well-finished feel, aided by the addition of modern sound-deadening.
With just over 17,000 miles on the clock and a recent mechanical overhaul, this Elan is a driver’s car through and through. It’s not a concours queen, but it doesn’t need to be, this is the kind of car you take out on the weekends and wring out through the corners, exactly as Chapman intended.
Would you leave the patina or refinish it to match the fresh mechanicals?
Interesting, that the copy for this listing is nearly identical to the listing for the Elan – Europa…
They do have a red 1969 Europa for sale too.
Wow. Saw this and thought someone found my 1967 Elan. Bought it new in Leighton Buzzard, just outside London. As a 67, mine had the toggle switches, not the rocker ones. With my wife, 3 year old daughter, and briefcase, we drove to Stuttgart, Germany and found 100 mph autobahn cruising and Black Forest twist and turns addicting. Mine had the Weber 40 DCOE setup as original equipment.
Was best car til 71 when I got my new Datsun 240Z. Elan top was very British in that it was tent like when raising and lowering.it. At just over 6 foot and 180 pounds, it was more like wearing it than in getting in and out.
Interesting that this 1968 has the pre-1968 (for the USA) – Weber cylinder head and Weber 40DCOE, rather than the Strombergs. Maybe if I’d read the ad more closely I’d see that is was imported from Europe? In any case, a better carb set up and a dandy Elan.
Webers were original spec in ’68
This appears to be an excellent driver that has had a lot of time and money invested by the seller. Ready to enjoy now while saving up for paint when it needs it. These cars have long-term value, so enjoy it while it appreciates. To me, this is a very fair price for a great car.
Where/how can I bid on this car?
Thanks
This one is on eBay and the link to the auction is right in the first paragraph. Might want to go back and read the post.
$34.9K for a less than perfect (aka “used”) Elan seems a bit stretched – didn’t Mazda design and build a far superior model of the Elan called a Miata?
Not even close when it comes to the driving experience. If you ever drove one you’d know why. The handling is razor sharp, and the engine is super responsive. The car is as close to a formula car as you can get on the street.
The Elan weighs 1517 lbs and had around 115 hp. Early MIata’s weigh 2100 lbs and have the same power. Compared to most cars Miata’s are light, compared to an Elan they’re tanks.
And yes the Miata is Japanese reliable, and a much more modern car, but other than looking like an Elan it’s not in the same time zone. Yes the price is high for an Elan, but you are buying from a dealer and the car has been thoroughly gone through, the motor is fresh and there are numerous upgrades like CV axles, a geared starter. Add to that a new interior and dash, new seals in the diff and what appears to be a new top. This car is ready to drive and doesn’t need anything to go out and enjoy. It’s high but if you go out and try to duplicate it it’s going to cost a good bit more.
“Mrs. Peel, we’re needed…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHwuYJ97LYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P41clz5_Rp0
That rear left rim scares me – and what is going on behind it? Would take some serious sorting (lots of it, usually troublesome?) before having me drive it :-)
https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-lotus-elan-125.jpg
My very funny comment seemed to appear yesterday – and now it seems to have vanished, I need you to see it and look at the photo of the rear left wheel (by the way a wonderful car, I would love to have one!):
That rear left rim scares me – and what is going on behind it? Would take some serious sorting (lots of it, usually troublesome?) before having me drive it :-)
https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-lotus-elan-125.jpg
17,000 miles and its already been rebuilt, why would I ever want one
Ohh, that is why I see double posts so often – and now I am also guilty :-)