Two-Owner Survivor: 1973 Lotus Elan Sprint DHC

Colin Chapman’s engineering prowess and ability to think outside the square were legendary, and these abilities brought his Formula One team enormous success. However, his racing machines could be fragile, with the same being true of some of his road-going offerings. However, when a car like this 1973 Lotus Elan Sprint DHC survives in a rock-solid and mechanically healthy state for fifty years, you can be pretty sure it isn’t a lemon. This two-owner survivor isn’t perfect but is a turnkey classic awaiting a new home. The seller has listed the Lotus here on eBay in Smyrna, Delaware. They set their auction to open at $35,000 but have received no bids. They also provide a BIN option of $40,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

The first Elan rolled out of the Lotus factory in 1962, and it was immediately apparent that the company stuck strictly to the Chapman philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness.” The engineering was elegantly simple, and although many considered its engine power modest, the curb weight of 1,510 lbs demonstrated that any excess fat had been trimmed to maximize performance. Our feature car emerged in 1973, with its original owner ordering it in Lagoon Blue and Cirrus White. The Gold stripes were a nod to the brand’s racing heritage, adding a classy element to this British sporting survivor. It is a two-owner vehicle, with the seller purchasing it from its original owner seven years ago. The original paint shows the chips and marks that you might expect from an unrestored car that has clocked up half a century, but the overall presentation is very acceptable if the winning bidder elects to continue the preservation pathway pursued by the Elan’s two custodians. The Black soft-top looks excellent, as does the matching tonneau. However, the best news is that this gem is a rust-free classic. The exterior is clean, and the underside shots reveal no problems or issues. The original wheels with their “three-ear” spinners and trim rings are in good order, and there are no obvious glass problems.

The Lotus Elan was a lively performer in standard form, but the Sprint version lifted the car to a higher level. Its 1,558cc DOHC four-cylinder engine benefitted from some mild upgrades to the valves and camshafts to produce 113hp. This fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The combination doesn’t sound exciting, but a couple of factors must be considered. The first is that with such a low curb weight, the Elan Sprint can race through the ¼-mile in 15.8 seconds on its way to 118mph. The second factor is that an Elan feels far faster than the figures suggest because occupants find themselves so close to Planet Earth. The seller indicates they performed recent work to ensure this gem is mechanically healthy. It received new brake pads, and the hydraulic systems were rebuilt. It features the optional larger factory radiator, with an electric fan helping control temperatures. The Sprint runs and drives perfectly, ready to hit the road to maximize the remaining warm and sunny summer weather.

The seller describes this Elan’s interior as nearly perfect, which isn’t an idle boast. It carries the hallmarks of a car treated respectfully, with no signs of significant wear or abuse. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are excellent, as are the carpet and that beautiful three-spoke wheel. The dash veneer has begun cracking slightly, but addressing that fault before it deteriorates further should be straightforward and inexpensive. The only aftermarket additions are a Blaupunkt radio/cassette player and a power antenna. Otherwise, this interior is as it left the factory.

It is easy to underestimate the influence of the Lotus Elan, but its legacy continues decades after the last car rolled out of the factory. Mazda engineers made no secret that the Elan and some of its character traits heavily influenced the design of its iconic MX-5. Many Elans succumbed to rust, while others were driven into the ground by enthusiastic owners willing to take these British sports cars to the limit. This 1973 Elan Sprint is a survivor that has avoided those pitfalls, and the fact it has done so successfully for fifty years suggests it has been treated respectfully throughout its life. If that trend continues, I see no reason it couldn’t still be plying our roads when it has a century under its belt. Can you?