If you’re looking for the perfect form to buy a car in, this 1969 Lotus Elan S4 might be the textbook example you’ve been looking for. A highly original car that supposedly comes with decades’ worth of service records, it has never been restored and simply been driven and looked after. The engine is the original, numbers matching unit that has been rebuilt in the last 10,000 miles, and there’s a laundry list of other repairs that should make for fairly trouble-free motoring over the next several years. Find it here on craigslist in West Linn for $24,500. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt R. for the find.
To me, that asking price seems like an incredible car for the specimen you’re getting. The Elan is perhaps one of the purest expressions of a sports car, and certainly represents a formula that has been often repeated but never imitated – with the exception of the modern-day Miata. Still, the Miata doesn’t have nearly the same style or passion oozing from its orifices. The original chassis is said to be rust-free, like many vintage cars from the Pacific Northwest, and the seller notes that underneath, potential buyers will find rebuilt brakes, new CV joints, new shocks front and rear, new driveshaft U-joints, upper and lower front wishbone bushings, and much more.
The interior is likewise in wonderful, survivor-grade condition, with a beautiful wood dash still in place. The mileage is pegged at 127,000, and those numbers are documented. The condition would seem to back that mileage claim up, as the car is not perfect, but it’s still in the sort of condition you can drive without having to restore it. Several of the gauges don’t work, but the electric window lifts do. I didn’t even know you could get electric windows in a Elan, as it seems to run counter to the whole spirit of building cars with minimal options. Aside from that, the seller notes there’s a crack in the dash pad, and that the seats and top remain in very good condition.
The drivetrain has seen significant work over the last few years, including the aforementioned rebuild. The listing also notes that the carburetor was repaired to address leaking float bowls, and that the clutch and gearbox still work quite nicely together. The listing breaks down in great detail the numerous fixes the seller had addressed in his ownership, and it’s extensive. The paintwork seems like the biggest let down, but the silver lining is that it’s believed to be original, which more than makes up for the fact that it’s beginning to blister. Overall, if you’re looking for a survivor-grade vintage Lotus for reasonable money, this Elan S4 certainly deserves your attention.
A worthy compromise to the 7 as a daily driver and for the most part keeping with Colin Chapman’s famous adage “adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”.
Very clean for its vintage, and this one is very clean for its age. Looking at this model tells you why Mazda borrowed some of these lines for the Miata!
Wow. I used to own this car. I spent a fortune restoring the suspension, brakes, driveline. All top notch parts. A real ripper. But I thought the interesting thing about this car was that its an original black badge model, which is quite rare.
This makes me wish I had that kind of money to spend on fun. Elans were (and are) terrific little cars, and from what I’ve been told are not as fussy and fragile as some people believe. The handling is just plain wonderful, and there’s enough performance to keep the driver smiling.
It appears that the owners, previous and current have kept up with things, and have made desirable improvements (e. g. the axle shaft couplings, as the originals are now Unobtanium). I know nothing about the Stromberg carburetors, but imagine they’ll be less of a chore to maintain/adjust than the earlier cars’ Weber side-drafts.
IIRC, all Series 4 Elans had electric windows. In general, they’re actually lighter than the equivalent manual mechanisms.
I could go for this!
Wow. What a wonderful survivor S4.
Cheers to all the owners who have cared for that car!
Best of the breed for small British roadsters in our opinion. A little fiddly to maintain, but they are perfectly livable. We have a 1969 S4SE that has been in the family since 1970. It is our favorite among other Brit roadsters and coupes that have come and gone.
Parts are readily available and the cars are very simple. It is always worth mentioning that these are not highly refined cars. They will seem crude and unsafe compared to newer vehicles, but the visceral experience is simply the best. There are a few Lotus proprietary parts that can be a bit pricey, but for the most part not an expensive car to own.
This car is priced very well based on the description.
“This car is priced very well based on the description.” – understatement of the day! This certainly looks like a car that will never be worth less than what you paid for it.
You can’t say that about a KIA. Any KIA.
👍👍. I had to stay calm about the price or i would be selling kidneys and stuff….
Wow that dash is making my eyes go crazy! Nice car.
Nice car. Have seen and driven a bunch of these cars and have never seen the Tiger Maple used on the dashboard. Don’t know if they have the Tiger Maple in the UK or not. Thought it was a US north east wood. If it isn’t factory it is a very nice job by someone who knows how to work wood.
Hey Dave Adams- izzat U??