1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE Coupe |

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1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE Coupe

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Mileage110,785 on clock
Transmission4-Speed Manual
Engine1.6-litre
LocationFarnham

AUCTION CLOSED

1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE Coupe

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Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

A mechanically superb classic icon needing light cosmetic improvements.

The Lotus Elan arrived in 1962 as a direct evolution of the groundbreaking Elite. Retaining the compact, agile DNA of its predecessor, Lotus's motorsport heritage and gorgeous styling quickly propelled it into the public zeitgeist. Alongside the cultural explosion of the early 1960s, it rapidly became a symbol of British innovation, style, and ambition. Throughout its production lifecycle, the Elan was continuously developed - becoming increasingly plush and refined without ever losing its fundamental zeal. Ultimately, it stands as one of the few sports cars of its era to grow progressively better with each successive generation.

The Series 4 arrived in March 1968, featuring wider, flared wheel arches and modernised rocker switches set into a beautiful, lacquered walnut dashboard. Boasting a notably stiffer body structure, it transformed the Elan into a remarkably quiet, comfortable, long-distance touring machine with minimal wind noise. The high-specification SE models were equipped with higher-lift camshafts, re-jetted carburettors, an upgraded gearbox, and improved braking, alongside several cosmetic enhancements. Ultimately, the S4 SE remains a masterclass in automotive engineering, proving that horsepower isn't necessary when you successfully conquer engineering mass.

This well-cherished and maintained 1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE is finished in Canary Yellow over a clean black interior. Boasting excellent provenance, the Elan has had just seven previous owners from new and has spent almost 17 years with its current custodian, all while retaining a high degree of originality throughout. The engine was completely rebuilt last year, capping off decades of consistent mechanical improvements and careful maintenance, meaning the car now requires only a little TLC to its external cosmetics. Sold with two sets of keys, its owner's manual, and an impressive maintenance file dating back to 2003, this Elan represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a solid, mechanically sound classic that can be driven immediately and improved at your own pace.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting David the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

If you want a fun ‘rolling project’ that you can drive and improve in your own time, I recommend my Elan.

Purchased as a running project in 2009, the car has been thoroughly enjoyed ever since. While the bodywork shows signs of a poor past paint application, David notes that the cosmetics have never stopped him from driving and enjoying the Elan.

Over the years, it has been a frequent sight at numerous enthusiast events, including the Goodwood Revival, several invitations to the Goodwood Breakfast Club, Brooklands Gatherings, and Club Lotus meetings. While he initially considered addressing the paintwork, he has decided instead to pass the car on to its next custodian as he shifts his focus to a replacement Lotus project. David will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

David

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The body is smartly presented, though cosmetic paint correction would make it perfect.

Wheels and Tyres

The 13-inch steel wheels are in good condition, showing no significant rim damage or signs of ageing.

The car is fitted with Uniroyal tyres, while the offside rear features a Kleber tyre. They are sized at 155/80 and the Uniroyals date from 2018 and 2022. All tyres have legally compliant tread depth. David told us he has a few spare wheels and has the matching Uniroyal tyre which he will put back on the car by the time the new owner takes it home.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

While there is a crack near the body near the offside headlamp, which becomes more pronounced when the lights are raised, no other stress cracks or uneven body imperfections were detected. The doors open and close smoothly with no signs of sagging. The panel gaps and shut lines are reasonable, though the bonnet does feature a series of drilled holes.

It retains its original backbone chassis and where accessible it has been cleaned of surface rust and repainted where necessary. The suspension mounts appear solid, and the underside of the tub is free from any significant damage. Both the engine bay and the wheel wells remain structurally sound.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The yellow paintwork displays a consistent hue and an acceptable finish, showing mild swirling in the sunlight. However, the car exhibits gel coat rash and paint fractures across almost every panel. The current owner, David, notes that these issues emerged shortly after the car was resprayed.

Notable blemishes include cracks on the passenger door that expose the primer, as well as cracking and a touched-up area on the offside front wing near the side indicator. Additionally, fractures are present on the roof, rear wings, and rear valence, along with a few light scratches near the nearside A-pillar.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition, and all headlamps and lenses are clear and undamaged. While the rear glass seal shows signs of age and minor delamination, a replacement rubber seal and filler strip are included in the sale.

The chrome trim presents well; though there is mild ageing on the bezels, badging, and window trim, it remains well above expectations for a car of this vintage.

The rare, hard-to-find door handles are in good shape, while the silver painted bumpers sit flush to the body and remain presentable despite a few minor marks.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Largely original, the interior has been exceptionally well kept and retains its beautiful, period-correct walnut dashboard and classic instrumentation.

Seats and Carpets

Inside, the black vinyl upholstery presents well, remaining firm and supportive.

The carpets are similarly tidy, clean, and dry throughout.

Dashboard

The dashboard appears largely original and displays no significant signs of wear. The veneer fascia is generally free of fractures, save for a small crack noted near the non-operational passenger-side air vent. The centre console padding remains in good condition.

While a minor patina of age is visible on some of the controls, switches, and dials, the cabin presents well overall. All electrical functions are reported to work as they should; the passenger-side electric window lifter is slightly slow. The owner, David, notes that the choke lever is fully operational, though it currently requires a temporary hold to remain fully extended.

The door cards and cabin trim are in good condition throughout. While the headlining shows some age-related marks, it still presents well. The boot has clearly been spared from heavy use and comes lined with both a carpet and a protective rubber mat.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear lever is fitted with a smart, veneer Lotus-motif knob, while the steering wheel is an original-type, 14-inch Springalex three-spoke wheel that has been re-covered in leather. It shows mild signs of age but displays well overall.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Diligently maintained and cared for, the car also benefits from an engine rebuild in 2025.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fires up after a few cranks with the aid of the choke, settling into a crisp, mechanical, and characteristically busy rhythmic idle. It runs smoothly with no clicking, knocking, or backfiring, and the exhaust remains clear of excessive smoke. Crucially, all warning lights on the dashboard extinguished correctly once running except from the ignition light which glows a bit, David has cleaned all the earth connections and fitted a new alternator but these didn't make a difference. David told us there are some minor oil leaks, as expected on a 57 year old car.

The engine presents positively and has been meticulously maintained by David, who completed a full rebuild in 2025. The rebuild included a complete set of new cam followers and shims from Burton, ARP head bolts, an Ajusa composite head gasket, and a new oil pump and filter. In 2026, the engine was further upgraded with a Burton modular pump and a new front cover.

Cooling is handled by a relocated Serck radiator positioned behind the front grille, assisted by an electric fan. The electrical system has been thoroughly modernised with an updated fuse box, an Aldon electronic ignition system, a new starter motor, and a new ignition switch. Fuel and exhaust systems feature a TTR alloy fuel tank and a stainless steel exhaust, while power is delivered via a new Kelsport CV driveshaft conversion set. Additionally, the differential torque-rod bushes have been replaced with new TTR poly-bushes.

The four-speed gearbox was rebuilt by a previous owner and performed flawlessly during our drive, shifting smoothly and remaining entirely free of unwanted noise or vibration. David has recently installed a new clutch assembly and thrust bearing, ensuring everything is correctly adjusted. He notes that the pedal now provides excellent feedback and a positive feel.

Suspension and Brakes

The entire front suspension assembly was removed, cleaned, and repainted. To replace the seized original rubber components, new poly-bushes were installed throughout. The front end was completely refreshed with new brake discs and pads, trunnions, wheel bearings, track-rod ends, shock absorbers, and springs. At the rear of the car, the entire suspension assembly was removed, stripped down, cleaned, and repainted. The rebuild was completed with all-new brake discs and pads, wishbone bolts, and poly-bushes. Furthermore, the offside rear wheel bearings were replaced, and the suspension was refreshed using a set of new-original-specification Monroe rear damper inserts paired with NOS rear springs. The car rides smoothly, with no unwanted noises or rattles over changing road surfaces.

The suspension absorbs imperfections without problems, ensuring handling remains unaffected at speeds up to 50 mph. While the front and rear suspension wishbones exhibit some surface rust, they remain structurally sound with no impact on performance.

The car stops remarkably well, benefiting from high-performance EBC Yellowstuff brake pads that ensure a secure, straight halt. While a slight pulsation is present under braking, suggesting minor disc run-out, it doesn't detract from what is otherwise a highly effective and confidence-inspiring setup.

The Drive

Powered by a high-revving, 115-horsepower double overhead camshaft engine mated to a pair of Stromberg carburettors, this unit ingeniously combined a mass-produced Ford engine block with a bespoke aluminium cylinder head. Delivering race-car performance in a lightweight, road-going sports car, it is widely considered one of the finest four-cylinder engines ever made.

During our test drive, David guided us to an excellent stretch of road featuring open straights and gentle bends - the perfect environment to showcase the brilliant balance of the Elan's chassis. The low-slung seating position amplifies every sensation on the road. Under acceleration, the twin Stromberg carburettors produce a sharp, metallic bark from the exhaust, while the Lotus Twin-Cam engine pulls cleanly and evenly as the car is balanced through the corners.

The intimate cabin entirely immerses you, treating the senses to a beautifully pure, analogue driving experience. Aside from some minor, age-appropriate cabin trim rattles, there were no untoward mechanical knocks or thuds. The steering remains laser-true, offering superb feedback through the wheel without any wobble or vibration. When warm, the engine restarts effortlessly and runs cleanly with no visible exhaust smoke. Even during a particularly hot day, the cooling system performed perfectly; David told us he has disconnected the thermostatic switch for the fan because you can't adjust the temp that it cuts in; and he doesn't trust it, he has added manual switch, located on the LHS of the steering column, which is wired directly to the fan, he has since found that many other Elan owners do the same. The temperature gauge remained firmly within the safe zone.

The engine shows healthy oil pressure, reading 40 psi when cold and settling around 50 psi on the move. David has monitored the engine closely over the years and decided to rebuild it last year following the failure of two cam followers. Since the rebuild, the engine has performed flawlessly, maintaining excellent oil pressure and stable operating temperatures.

Electrics and Other

The headlamps pop up correctly, benefiting from new vacuum pods and pipes, and have been upgraded with new sealed-beam halogen units.

A desirable heated windscreen has been installed on the car. The necessary wiring is currently positioned on top of the dash, ready for the next owner to easily hook it up and enjoy a bit of modern cold-weather luxury.

While the original heater valve is no longer functional, it has been bypassed and replaced with a highly reliable, modern in-line valve.

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History and Paperwork

Accompanying the vehicle is a beautifully organised history folder, featuring an impressive paper trail of invoices and receipts stretching back to 2003.

This March 1969 example comes with a detailed mechanical history. David, the current owner, has successfully traced the car’s past across 45 years, a tenure highlighted by a quarter-century in the hands of one dedicated owner. David acquired the Elan in 2009 from a dealer in Reading, seeing the potential in an honest car that needed some renovation. Since then, he has meticulously upgraded the vehicle to a superb standard. The suspension, brakes, and steering were all systematically renewed, followed by careful attention to the bodywork and interior aesthetics, and topped off by a fresh engine rebuild. The car's maintenance is thoroughly documented in a thick binder of receipts showing £4,800 spent during David's ownership, with historical invoices stretching back to 2003.

The car comes complete with two sets of keys, its original handbook, documentation of the research carried out, and a collection of photos detailing a 2013 engine overhaul. Additionally, the Elan is both MOT and road tax exempt.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
30-09-2017	MOT	95,299
05-09-2016	MOT	93,984
08-09-2015	MOT	92,356
06-09-2014	MOT	87,745
17-07-2010	MOT	87,648
15-07-2009	MOT	87,624
04-10-2007	MOT	87,570
27-09-2006	MOT	87,254
01-10-2005	MOT	86,964
21-08-2002	MOT	86,857

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Key Details

Year1969
ModelElan S4 FHC
Transmission4-Speed Manual
Reg. Date25-03-1969
CC1558
Mileage110,785
HistorySince 2003
ColourCanary Yellow
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #36/8820
Engine #L18115
Engine RebuildYes in 2025
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers7
Tyre BrandUniroyal / Kleber
Tyre Age2018/2022
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~16 years, 9 months
Key FeatureOwnership + Mechanical Attention
Vehicle RegistrationBRB 726G
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2-door Coupe
Auction ID3832

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Vehicle Location

Farnham

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information or let us know if you want to be notified when a similar car comes to market.

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Seller : DavidElan

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3 Comments

DavidElan

Seller

9 days ago

This is not great timing, but I did a trip last Sunday; great drive to Goodwood, but on the way back the rev-counter developed an intermittent fault. New part arrived today. I was hoping it would all be sorted today, but it’s taking a bit longer than I’d hoped.

iainmeek

9 days ago

Is this definitely on an original pre-galvanised chassis?

DavidElan

Seller

iainmeek

9 days ago

Hi Iain, when I bought the car, I contacted 3 previous owners: (back to 1980). None of them had replaced the chassis, so it’s probably original. Not galvanised.

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Farnham

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