Details
1971 LOTUS ELAN S4 COUPE
Registration No. ANX 517J
Chassis No. LR 2692
Engine No. K23419
White with black leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder, twincam, 1,558cc producing 105bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel disc; Suspension: front, independent double wishbones with combined shock absorbers and coil springs with anti-sway bar, rear, independent with Chapman strut, coil spring, shock absorber and trailing arm. Right hand drive.
In October 1962, Colin Chapman announced his new car the Lotus Elite, which was to take his rival manufacturers by surprise. The original plan called for the car to have a chassis-less monocoque fibreglass bodyshell and use a Ford four cylinder engine. In fact the Elan appeared with Lotus's own Ford based twin overhead cam engine in a backbone chassis. Other features included close ratio gearbox, four wheel disc brakes, all independent suspension and pop up headlamps. It was an attractive sports car with plenty of power and had outstanding handling charcteristics.
The Elan was in production until 1974 and throughout its production was continually updated and improved. The series IV cars were introduced in 1968 and new features included twin exhaust pipes, wider wheel arches to accommodate larger tyres and new rocker switches on the dashboard to conform with US regulations. Another change due to American regulations was the adoption of Stromberg CD carburettors which required a new 'power bulge' in the bonnet. Cars for the UK market had the option of fitting Dell'Orto or Weber carburettors, this particular car is fitted with the Strombergs.
The current owner purchased the car from its original owner in 1990 when it had covered less than 80,000 from new. When acquired it was fitted with a BDA engine and had not been driven for over ten years. It was recommended the suspension, brakes and running gear should be checked, but going one step further the current owner decided to fit a new galvanised replacement Lotus Chassis (not an uncommon problem with the Elan). The original engine had a comprehensive mechanical rebuild by a Lotus dealer and was put back on the new chassis. This work was carried out in early 1992 and special attention was paid to the suspension and brakes during the rebuild. The owner recalls spending in the region of #8,000 on the restoration and some of the work is detailed with invoices. In the past 12 months the Elan has not been used, however before the auction it will undergo a service and have a new MoT certificate. The car comes complete with a workshop manual, its original owner's handbook and the Lotus chassis registration card.
Registration No. ANX 517J
Chassis No. LR 2692
Engine No. K23419
White with black leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder, twincam, 1,558cc producing 105bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel disc; Suspension: front, independent double wishbones with combined shock absorbers and coil springs with anti-sway bar, rear, independent with Chapman strut, coil spring, shock absorber and trailing arm. Right hand drive.
In October 1962, Colin Chapman announced his new car the Lotus Elite, which was to take his rival manufacturers by surprise. The original plan called for the car to have a chassis-less monocoque fibreglass bodyshell and use a Ford four cylinder engine. In fact the Elan appeared with Lotus's own Ford based twin overhead cam engine in a backbone chassis. Other features included close ratio gearbox, four wheel disc brakes, all independent suspension and pop up headlamps. It was an attractive sports car with plenty of power and had outstanding handling charcteristics.
The Elan was in production until 1974 and throughout its production was continually updated and improved. The series IV cars were introduced in 1968 and new features included twin exhaust pipes, wider wheel arches to accommodate larger tyres and new rocker switches on the dashboard to conform with US regulations. Another change due to American regulations was the adoption of Stromberg CD carburettors which required a new 'power bulge' in the bonnet. Cars for the UK market had the option of fitting Dell'Orto or Weber carburettors, this particular car is fitted with the Strombergs.
The current owner purchased the car from its original owner in 1990 when it had covered less than 80,000 from new. When acquired it was fitted with a BDA engine and had not been driven for over ten years. It was recommended the suspension, brakes and running gear should be checked, but going one step further the current owner decided to fit a new galvanised replacement Lotus Chassis (not an uncommon problem with the Elan). The original engine had a comprehensive mechanical rebuild by a Lotus dealer and was put back on the new chassis. This work was carried out in early 1992 and special attention was paid to the suspension and brakes during the rebuild. The owner recalls spending in the region of #8,000 on the restoration and some of the work is detailed with invoices. In the past 12 months the Elan has not been used, however before the auction it will undergo a service and have a new MoT certificate. The car comes complete with a workshop manual, its original owner's handbook and the Lotus chassis registration card.