A rare find, this Sprint Drophead is completely original and has covered only 15,800 miles from new in the hands of one owner until his passing last year. Close examination does not disappoint, every aspect of this Elan impresses from the fine original chassis to the unmarked interior and dash to the original hood and toolkit. The panel fit is the best I have seen on an Elan and only some light paint micro blistering in places is evident, not bad for 48 years!

Mr Kendrick a resident of West Bromwich purchased his new Elan from Foley Park Motors, his local Lotus dealer, indeed the PDI was completed by a certain Mr Paul Matty, then a mechanic at that dealership. He is now of course one of the leading specialists for the marque and maintained a close relationship with Mr Kendrick and his Elan throughout their lives. Indeed, Paul Matty’s workshop was a short drive away for Mr Kendrick and he would often pop in if the Elan needed his expert eye.

It is clear from the condition and low mileage that this Elan was very carefully looked after and used minimally in dry conditions only. The car attended a number of Lotus events and won several prizes, there are several silver cups in the boot attesting to this. A fabulous framed photograph from the Seventies shows a proud Mr Kendrick shaking hands with Colin Chapman in front of his Elan and another shows the besotted owner and Elan on a trip to the coast.

Mike Taylor, author of the definitive work – Lotus Elan ‘The Complete Story’ – chose this car to illustrate the detail of an Elan Sprint and there is a copy of this book on file.

A reference example of the Elan Sprint Drophead with a lovely story that must never be restored.