Lotus Elan S4 DHC

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Lotus launched a legend in 1962, the Lotus Elan. Following on from the previous Elite model, the new Elan offered improved handling and performance and had a less fragile feel to its overall design.

It was the first Lotus road car to use the now famous steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. At 1,500lb all up, the Elan embodied the Colin Chapman 'less is more' design philosophy, paring weight to a minimum in a quest for the ultimate driving experience. Below the bonnet sat an engine that would become a legend in its own right, the Lotus-Ford twin-cam with a Cosworth alloy head which went on to power other classic Lotus models including the Cortina sports saloons.

As development progressed the Elan became more civilised, the final Series 4 – introduced in March 1968 – benefiting from dashboard fresh-air vents and improved interior trim and fittings. The bodyshell was slightly thinner and lighter than the S3’s and featured flared wheelarches accommodating wider wheels, side repeaters and larger rear lights. It could sprint to 60mph in 7.8 seconds and hit 122mph flat out.

Light, powerful and with sensational handling, the Elan proved an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 being produced by the time production ceased in 1973. Even today there are few more rewarding driver’s cars around.

First registered in November 1970, this S4 was purchased by the vendor in November 1997 as an Elan to improve, the first task being a rebuild of the Big Valve, Weber-carb-equipped, twin-cam engine using Quorn Engine Developments QED parts. Sprint specification valves were installed in the head operated by Q420 camshafts and the bottom end of the motor was balanced and then built up by Tyler Motorsport of Hereford.

The chassis had been renewed prior to 1997 and to this was added the ultimate handling upgrade in the form of a Tony Thompson Racing rear suspension and driveshaft setup. It runs without an LSD. The body shell was stripped back to gel coat and repainted in Carnival Red.

Since the restoration was completed the Lotus has been used as a weekend fun car with long distance capabilities, undertaking not only a trip to the Le Mans Classic but also the odd sprint up Shelsey Walsh making it a true all-rounder.

In 2006 the Élan visited Paul Matty of Bromsgrove where it had the nosecone repainted. It also had all the fuel lines changed for braided ones as preferred in motorsport. It sits on Yokohama tyres which are mounted on standard peg drive Lotus steel wheels.

Only for sale because the long-term owner has a Morgan Plus 8 itch he has to scratch, it comes with an MOT until April 2017 and is ready to enjoy right away.