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1969 Lotus Elan SE

Sold Price

£22,260

  • Mileage~25,130
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.6-litre
  • LocationLincoln

SOLD

1969 Lotus Elan SE

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Introduction

Tom Valle
Professional photographer and consigner

The Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body - weighing in at just 680kg.

The Series 1 Elan Roadster was launched in 1962. Designed by Ron Hickman, from the beginning the Elan was quite advanced for the time with a twin-cam 1,558 cc engine and 4 wheel disc brakes, plus the independent suspension which was based on a Triumph design.

In 1964, the Series 2 version was launched, with an optional hardtop, which was quickly followed in 1965 with the fixed head coupe. Things didn’t stop there, and in 1966 the drop head coupe was available which continued into the production of the Series 3.

The Series 3 lasted for just 2 years before this particular model we have here was launched in 1968; the Series 4. All of the series were available as either a standard version or the slightly more powerful and luxurious SE model, with the SE meaning Special Equipment.

The Series 4 we have here is a 1969 SE model which was fully restored by Alison's father in 1991, and since then it has been mainly kept in storage and used just a handful of times.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Tom after meeting Alison the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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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

The Lotus has been in the family since 1977 when my dad purchased this special two-seater.

Alison inherited this 1969 Lotus Elan in 2019 from her father. Seeing the Elan parked in the family garage is nothing new, as it has been in the family for so long, it's more or less part of the fixtures and fittings.

Since getting the car, it has simply not been used to the extent that Alison's father would have wanted, and so the big decision has been made to part with the Lotus and let another enthusiast be the proud owner of this 1969 classic.

Alison
Vehicle Owner

Alison saved £3,960* when they
sold their Lotus with us.

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Exterior

With a full restoration in 1991, the Lotus has been kept in storage since then, preserving the stunning condition.

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels look to be in good condition, finished in black with a chrome trim. The trims do have some slight tarnishing to them but no corrosion. Holding them in place are the knock-offs, which all look to be in good order.

The tyres are matching Pirelli P4, which don't appear to have any signs of cracking. The tread is in as new condition, having not covered many miles.

Bodywork

The bodywork on this 1969 Lotus Elan was given a full restoration in 1991 by Alison’s dad. Fully removed from the chassis, the fiberglass shell was stripped back and any areas needing attention were addressed.

All of the panels look to align just as they should, with a uniform gap around the doors, boot and bonnet. The bumpers sit nice and snug against the body and have been finished in silver, which is a nice contrast against the blue body.

Under the car looks to be in excellent condition. Having the body off ensured the chassis got the same extensive treatment to future proof the Elan for many years to come.

Please see the gallery for more detailed images.

Paint

The body was then repainted in what looks to be a very similar shade to French Blue, and looks very nice.

There are no obvious stone chips to mention as the car has mainly been in storage since the restoration was completed. There is a small split in the paint looking at the right hand side, just in front of the bonnet and around the boot lid hinges, which as you know quite often occurs with fibreglass bodies. Other than that, just a couple of small chips noted to the rear passenger side wheel arch and the right hand side edge of the boot lid.

Please see the image gallery for more detailed shots.

Glass and Trim

The windows look to be in good condition, with no obvious scratches to be seen on either the front or side windows. There has recently been a new windscreen rubber fitted, as the old one had started to perish.

The chrome trim around the side windows does have some very slight aged pitting marks. These may be reduced with some tips and tricks found on the internet.

Interior

The SE model was treated to a little more luxury - more comfortable seats were a nice addition.

Seats and Carpets

The seats in the Elan are in good order with no damage to the material. There is, what appears, to be some paint speckles on the driver's seat which may clean off. The driver's seat has gone a little soft on the bolster, but could easily be firmed up by an upholsterer.

The beige carpets are in nice condition, with no excessive wear to be seen on the passenger or driver’s side.

Inside the boot, there is no carpet, just the body which is painted black. There is the battery to the left, and a battery isolator switch mounted to the floor.

There are some small bits around the interior which need attention, and Alison has received a quote of approximately ~£300 to sort these out.

Dashboard

The dash has no splits or damage to be seen, and the wooden fascia is in nice condition. The instruments are reported to all be working. There is some slight pitting to the chrome bezels. The odometer has a reading of ~25,130 miles

Please see the interior gallery for more detailed shots.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

Sitting in the driver's seat you are faced with a lovely three spoke steering wheel showing Colin Chapman’s signature on the lower spoke. The wheel is in good order, with no signs of any real wear.

The gear knob is wooden to match the dashboard fascia, and finished with the Lotus badge. This just needs a little adjustment to line it up the correct way.

Mechanics

Fully rebuilt at the restoration, the twin cam Lotus is ready to be driven.

Engine and Gearbox

The 1.6 engine fires up just as it should and comes quickly to an even idle. It was fully rebuilt in 1991 by Alison’s dad, ensuring the revy twin cam would be good for many more years to come.

As you can see from our mechanical review video, the gear change is nice and smooth, with no untoward noises coming from the engine or transmission.

Suspension and Brakes

Stopping the Elan nicely, the brakes have been checked over by a local garage who have carried out some work on the car. At the time of the restoration, all new brake pipes were installed, and with no real use since then, these should still be in excellent condition.

At the same time, the suspension was also renewed which has kept the Elan feeling nice and tight.

The Drive

The Lotus is definitely a car to be enjoyed, throwing it around some twisty B roads. From cold it needs a little choke to help it along, but once warmed up the Elan appears to be fine. The brakes bring the car to a halt nice and quickly and in a straight line.

Electrics and Other

Everything in the car is reported to be working just as it should. The switchgear all looks to be in good order, with the lettering to the fascia panel all still legible.

History and Paperwork

Plenty of invoices come with the Lotus - most dating back to the late 70’s and early 90’s.

There is a nice collection of invoices for the Lotus, one of which is the invoice for the car in 1977, and from then on through the late 70’s everything has been saved for the car. There is also another big batch of invoices from the restoration in the 90’s.

Also included are some photographs of the car and engine showing it in mid restoration.

The V5 is present and shows 1 previous keeper.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5, HPi - the car has been checked, but only partial data returned, a copy of the HPi is in the history file.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
1991 Full restoration of body and engine
11.02.1976 Engine rebuilt 67,875
Key Details
  • ModelElan
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date21.01.1969
  • CC1558cc
  • Mileage~25,130 on clock
  • HistoryInvoices dating back to 1977
  • ColourBlue
  • Interior ColourBeige
  • Chassis #45/8301
  • Engine #C16393B
  • RestoredYes
  • Engine RebuildYes
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • HPiChecked, only partial data returned
  • Former Keepers1
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • OwnedYes
  • Key FeatureLow owners, full restoration







Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions
Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
Peter
Guest
Peter

Hi Alison,
I am interested in your Lotus Elan.
Could you please tell me if the car is running well enough to be driven back to Birmingham after the sale?
Also is there a spare wheel, and are there any other spares included in the sale?
Regards,
Peter.

GMartin
Member
GMartin

Hi Alison,

I would like to run a full HPI check, but will need some info off the V5C. Will that be possible?

Thanks

GMartin
Member
GMartin

Hi,

Do you have any extra info re one of the invoices which states: –
“CN sprint kit
bonnet with a bulge
“Lotus” chassis
Oatmeal trim”
and is dated 8.1.90.

Just trying to understand if that was for a full body, full chassis, full interior trim kit and anything else from Christopher Neil

Thanks

GMartin
Member
GMartin

Hi Alison, You have a very good looking car. I apologise in advance as I do have a raft of questions, and fully appreciate you may not be able to answer all of them. First relate to items that may be with the car (eg hood frame, hood, full tonneau cover, spare wheel, any spares)? Secondly ref whether everything works as it should (the headlights for instance are prone to not staying up!). Looks like there’s no MOT history at all. Was wondering if / when it last had an MOT and what was found? We’ve had a few old… Read more »

Philip Stevens
Guest
Philip Stevens

Good afternoon

Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so could you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you

Many thanks

Phil

Alison
Guest
Alison

Good morning,
Please can you get in touch with Trade Classics directly to arrange a viewing. I’m currently in the process of moving the car from the garage to my home address.
Kind regards
Alison

Philip Stevens
Guest
Philip Stevens

Good afternoon
Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so could you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you

Philip Stevens
Guest
Philip Stevens

Good afternoon
Would it be possible to view your Lotus sometime, if so yould you let me have address details so that I can arrange with you

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Lincoln

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