1969 Lotus Elan S4 Drophead Coupe             Registration...

Estimate

£23,000 - £26,000

1969 Lotus Elan S4 Drophead Coupe            

Registration Number: ALP 298H 
Chassis Number: 37/9286
Recorded Mileage: 22,500 miles

- 1 of just 1,929 Elan S4 cars made

The new Elan, introduced at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show was the creation of Lotus design and development engineer Ron Hickman. Using the 'Chapman Bracket', i.e. a steel backbone chassis with lightweight fibreglass bodywork, the latest model boasted fully independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, pop-up headlights and integral bumpers. With a lively 'twin-cam' mated to a four-speed (later five-speed) manual transmission, the Elan changed the rules in terms of ride, handling and performance. The S4 gained a thinner and lighter body with flared arches allowing for wider wheels. The model’s weight advantage, powerful engine, and remarkable agility make the Elan as satisfying to own and enjoy now as it was in the 1960s.

First registered in August of 1969, this attractive S4 has enjoyed various mechanical attention in more recent years. In 2018, at 20,067 miles, the car was serviced and the engine’s head gasket replaced along with the water pump, clutch and alternator, at a cost of £1258.11. Prior to that, in 2016 the brakes were overhauled with new pipework, cables, pads, and adjustment of the calipers. In recent times the Elan has been used for television filming work, being dry stored when not in gainful employment.

Finished in Carnival Red, and complete with maintenance bills, older MoT certificates and current V5C, and having covered a low mileage in the last few years, this a nicely presented example of an all-time classic. The Lotus will be offered with a newly supplied MoT certificate.