Details
1970 LOTUS ELAN S4 SE COUPE
Registration No. VCG 119H
Chassis No. LR916 (originally 369741)
Engine No. L21614
White with black interior.
Engine: four cylinder, twin cam, 1,558cc producing 115 bhp at 5,600 rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel disc; Suspension: front, independent double wishbones with combined shock absorbers and coil springs; rear, independent with Chapman strut, coil springs, shock absorbers and trailing arm. Right hand drive.
When Colin Chapman announced the new Lotus Elan in October 1962 it was quite a revelation in the sportscar industry; here was a car that featured a backbone chassis onto which was put a Ford-based twin overhead cam engine, whilst the body was of monocoque fibreglass construction. Typical sporting features included a close ratio gearbox, four wheel disc brakes, independent suspension and flush headlamps. The car was extremely pretty and, again typically, displayed outstanding handling characteristics.
The model was in production until 1974 with continual improvements along the way. Series 4 models, such as this example, were introduced in 1968 and featured twin exhaust pipes, wider wheel arches to accommodate larger tyres and new rocker switchgear on the dashboard. Stromberg CD carburettors were now adopted although later UK market buyers had the option of ordering Dell'Orto or Weber carburettors.
This 1970 S4 SE (and thus with high performance camshafts) was originally supplied new by Wilsons of Epsom. It was serviced between 1970 to 1972 by Bell & Colvill, long time Lotus agents in Surrey, from whom it was eventually purchased by the current owner when the mileage was some 31,000. The owner overhauled both engine and gearbox at about 35,000 miles. The car was used regularly for a few years until a minor altercation on icy roads in 1977. A result of this was that the vendor embarked on a comprehensive rebuilding programme, using all his engineering background. A new chassis was ordered from Lotus and fitted, together with a full "rear bodyshell" which is in fact the rear half of the car. The rebuild took over two years, the mileage at the time standing at 64,000. Improvements included the fitting of an alternator, an oil cooler and the refitting of the original twin pipe standard exhaust system. The car has twin Stromberg carburettors and Koni shock absorbers are fitted all round.
The interior is extremely clean and presentable and has its original black seats; the dashboard has been re-varnished and lettered and the car has a heated rear window and electric windows. Further improvements have been the fitting of inertia reel seat belts and a Moto-Lita leather-rimmed steering wheel. The tyres fitted are 165/7JHR13 Goodyear G800 Grand Prix, which were optional original specification to the S4 and are no longer available, and it also has rare Cibie Biode twin reflector headlamps. In 1980 the car was laid up in dry storage, where it has been for the past fifteen years. Unfortunately the paintwork has suffered and is micro-blistered although the bodywork itself is very straight and the panel fit extremely good. At present the vendor is re-commissioning the car after its time in storage and is hoping to drive it from Scotland to the sale.
It is sold with a packed file of invoices relating to many of the component parts purchased by the vendor, as well as an original Owner's Handbook and service book.
NO RESERVE
Registration No. VCG 119H
Chassis No. LR916 (originally 369741)
Engine No. L21614
White with black interior.
Engine: four cylinder, twin cam, 1,558cc producing 115 bhp at 5,600 rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel disc; Suspension: front, independent double wishbones with combined shock absorbers and coil springs; rear, independent with Chapman strut, coil springs, shock absorbers and trailing arm. Right hand drive.
When Colin Chapman announced the new Lotus Elan in October 1962 it was quite a revelation in the sportscar industry; here was a car that featured a backbone chassis onto which was put a Ford-based twin overhead cam engine, whilst the body was of monocoque fibreglass construction. Typical sporting features included a close ratio gearbox, four wheel disc brakes, independent suspension and flush headlamps. The car was extremely pretty and, again typically, displayed outstanding handling characteristics.
The model was in production until 1974 with continual improvements along the way. Series 4 models, such as this example, were introduced in 1968 and featured twin exhaust pipes, wider wheel arches to accommodate larger tyres and new rocker switchgear on the dashboard. Stromberg CD carburettors were now adopted although later UK market buyers had the option of ordering Dell'Orto or Weber carburettors.
This 1970 S4 SE (and thus with high performance camshafts) was originally supplied new by Wilsons of Epsom. It was serviced between 1970 to 1972 by Bell & Colvill, long time Lotus agents in Surrey, from whom it was eventually purchased by the current owner when the mileage was some 31,000. The owner overhauled both engine and gearbox at about 35,000 miles. The car was used regularly for a few years until a minor altercation on icy roads in 1977. A result of this was that the vendor embarked on a comprehensive rebuilding programme, using all his engineering background. A new chassis was ordered from Lotus and fitted, together with a full "rear bodyshell" which is in fact the rear half of the car. The rebuild took over two years, the mileage at the time standing at 64,000. Improvements included the fitting of an alternator, an oil cooler and the refitting of the original twin pipe standard exhaust system. The car has twin Stromberg carburettors and Koni shock absorbers are fitted all round.
The interior is extremely clean and presentable and has its original black seats; the dashboard has been re-varnished and lettered and the car has a heated rear window and electric windows. Further improvements have been the fitting of inertia reel seat belts and a Moto-Lita leather-rimmed steering wheel. The tyres fitted are 165/7JHR13 Goodyear G800 Grand Prix, which were optional original specification to the S4 and are no longer available, and it also has rare Cibie Biode twin reflector headlamps. In 1980 the car was laid up in dry storage, where it has been for the past fifteen years. Unfortunately the paintwork has suffered and is micro-blistered although the bodywork itself is very straight and the panel fit extremely good. At present the vendor is re-commissioning the car after its time in storage and is hoping to drive it from Scotland to the sale.
It is sold with a packed file of invoices relating to many of the component parts purchased by the vendor, as well as an original Owner's Handbook and service book.
NO RESERVE