Guide price: £23000 - £27000.
- A desirable UK right-hand drive Elan S4 drophead coupe
- Comprehensively restored by the vendor over past 6 years 
- Supplied with a UK V5c, invoices and specialist books
- Barely driven since rebuild, so will need a period of ‘running in'
In 1962 Lotus launched a legend, the new and ground-breaking Lotus Elan. Following on from the Elite, the new car offered improved handling and better performance. Below the bonnet sat a new 1558cc, twin-cam four-cylinder engine which would become a legend in its own right, powering other classic Lotus models including, of course, the Cortina.‘‘To say that driving the Elan is immense fun is almost an understatement. It is a car which keeps young men young and makes old men younger...'’ ‘Motor’The savvy engineering didn’t stop with the engine, the Lotus Elan also features a very strong steel backbone chassis on which is mounted, like a saddle, a GRP body plus 4-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension all round. It's not a coincidence that the Elan has enjoyed significant success in motorsport and this is still evident by the large numbers currently involved in historic racing. Production volume of the Elan S4 was about 3,000 cars in total.This particular car is a 1970 Lotus Elan S4 Drophead Coupe finished in Lotus Yellow with a black interior. In 1982 the car was taken off the road to be renovated, however, it would appear the task was too great for the owner at the time and it was sold to another chap in Ealing, who then moved to Cornwall and took the car with him. A busy career and the arrival of children meant the little Lotus remained dismantled, however, our vendor successfully purchased the Elan six years ago and has since spent the time restoring it to its former glory.The body was removed from the chassis and stripped to its gel coat, repairing imperfections and re-laminating where required and the underside treated with Body Shutz for stone protection, before sealing and painting with a two-pack solid Lotus Yellow (L07). A new Lotus chassis was sought and galvanised before painting black. The suspension was reconditioned whilst the brakes were completely renewed to include; new discs, callipers, pads, brakes lines, braided Goodridge hoses and a new servo.The original engine was re-bored and fitted with forged pistons and the crank re-ground before the engine reassembled with a new water pump, fuel pump, oil pump, core plugs, and a new clutch. The gearbox and differential, were sent away to a specialist for reconditioning as required. Engine cooling was attended to with a new heavy-duty radiator and hoses whilst the engine breathing benefitted from a new full stainless steel exhaust system.The interior was fully re-upholstered, new carpets fitted, new doors seals and rubbers as well as a new hood and a Colin Chapman steering wheel. There are many other new items on this beautiful car, perhaps too many to list.Supplied with a V5c and a file of invoices from marque specialists such as Paul Matty, along with photographic records of the whole restoration, this Elan will require a running-in period as it has barely been used since being put back on the road.After many hours of hard graft, this Elan is now looking fantastic and is a great example of a lovely sixties classic, which is both a fun, sunny-day convertible and a thoroughbred sports car with unrivalled handling.