Founded by visionary Colin Chapman, Lotus epitomizes innovation and race-bred performance, having earned seven F1 World Championships. Road cars from the marque began with the Seven in 1957, soon followed by the Elite. The Elan appeared in 1962, built upon a backbone chassis, and is considered the first “modern” sports car. Among the most influential cars of its kind, Elans are owned and lauded by enthusiasts that enjoy the purest driving experiences available, including McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray.

This outstanding Elan SE was purchased by the consignor in 1972, when he became just its second owner from new. Its current outstanding condition is the product of a painstaking, well-documented restoration by marque experts including Dave Bean Engineering. The work was finished in 2014–2015 under the watchful eye and skilled hands of premier Elan expert Brian Buckland, who traveled from the UK on three occasions to see this car. The engine was rebuilt by Duffee Motorsports, with the cylinder head and carburetors done by James Unsworth.

The consignor has enjoyed, maintained, and restored the Elan for almost 50 years as a true labor of love. Accordingly, he has amassed an exceptional file of documentation that includes service invoices from 1972–2006, restoration records, history, and restoration photos, as well as the original owner’s manual and maintenance book, and provenance documentation from Lotus Company archivist Andy Graham. Resplendent in its factory-original livery, the car’s impressive presentation resulted in the Best Elan Award at the 2014 West Coast Lotus Gathering. Offered from loving, long-term ownership and restored to an extraordinary standard, this splendid Elan SE stands as a most fitting exemplar of the rich Lotus heritage.