1969 LOTUS BRM ELAN PHASE III Registration Number: MTM 476H...

Hammer

£27,679

1969 LOTUS BRM ELAN PHASE III

Registration Number: MTM 476H
Chassis Number: 45/9098
Recorded Mileage: c.32,000 miles 

- The famous “Bill Marshall Special”
- Period Mike Spence/BRM Phase III engine and bodywork conversion
- Raced and sprinted in period

The 'Darling' of the High Street in the mid-sixties, Colin Chapman’s new technologically advanced Elan of 1962 featured a compelling package of a revvy twin-cam motor, all-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering and all-round independent suspension. Dial in trendy 1960s paint colours, starring TV and film roles and racing successes, and Lotus delivered the definitive sportscar of the 1960s.

For enthusiastic owners seeking to further enhance the driving experience, specialist tuners such as BRM and Mike Spence were very happy to take these pocket rockets to the next level. One such enthusiast was Bill Marshall from Bedfordshire, who had a dream to go racing in his new 1970 model year Series 4 Elan convertible. 

Marshall approached BRM Enterprises, sourcing a 26E gas flowed cylinder head and pistons, twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, BRM valve springs, uprated camshafts, modified carburettor chokes and jets, and a BRM rocker cover. Courtesy of tuner Mike Spence the engine conversion was performed, and the body converted with wide wheel arches, oversized JAP (J.A.Pearce ) Magna type wheels, Rally Special tyres, air horns, and oil cooler. 

Mike Spence were Lotus dealers, and Mike Spence himself drove for Lotus in Formula 1 in the 1960s, before sadly being killed during qualifying at Indianapolis in 1968. 

This striking car, finished in a very early 70s shade of purple metal flake paint, made quite an impression at the time, as such it was featured in period titles such as Hot Car magazine and Custom Car, and incidentally more recently in Purely Lotus magazine. Once ready, Marshall promptly went drag racing in his new Elan, competing in the Lotus for a couple of years before trading for a TVR in the early 1970s. 

The Elan’s new lady owner kept the car for a number of years, using it on the road initially and then storing it unused for a long period of time. The Elan was later fitted with a new galvanized chassis, and recommissioned to be used once more. Our vendor, a lifelong Lotus enthusiast, having drooled over magazine features on this very car when in his teens, was amazed to see a classified advertisement in the back of Classic and Sportscar Magazine many years later! Evidently the then owner, having decided to move on to a Ferrari, decided to put the Elan up for sale. Our vendor snapped up his dream car in the early 2000s, using it lightly before dry storing it in recent times, although it has been regularly started and driven short distances. 

With just c.32,000 recorded miles from new, the Elan is presented to the same specification as when last raced. The interior of the car remains original, the bodywork was subject to an older colour change to the present shade of yellow, although could easily be returned to its original 1970s hue of metal flake “Comanche”. It also may be of interest to a prospective purchaser to convert the car back to standard body and wheels.

Only 10 official Lotus BRM models were built and they are highly prized by collectors, This example is the only Lotus Elan we are aware of to be fitted with the highest output BRM Phase III engine. A fascinating period piece, this wonderful slice of 70s racing history is begging to hit the streets and tracks once more. The Elan is offered with a history file containing invoices and correspondence from BRM Enterprises, Mike Spence, Lotus Service and engineering company Rubery Owen.