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Curated Auction

1969 Lotus Elan S4 DHC

At a Glance

40-Year Ownership | Solid and Well Maintained | Invoices Since 1980 | Spyder Chassis and Rollbar | Recent Recommissioning

  • Mileage~28,340 on clock
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Engine1.6-litre
  • LocationSalisbury

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

CURATED AUCTION

Days
HRS
MIN
SEC
CURRENT BID£1,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Editor and Photographer

A pure engineering masterpiece: raw, razor-sharp handling and breathless agility.

Running from 1962, the original Lotus Elan reflects the company's evolution from a niche kit-car producer into a world-class sports car manufacturer. The earliest models were featherweight pioneers, championed for their agility despite being minimalist and fragile. Driven by strong customer demand and higher market expectations, Lotus progressively enhanced the vehicle's sound deadening, interior trim, and overall build quality. The arrival of the S4 introduced a major design refresh, featuring wider, square-cut wheel arches and flat-topped wells to accommodate radial tyres, larger rear light clusters, and safety-minded rocker switches replacing the earlier metal toggles.

Among enthusiasts, Weber-equipped S4 models are particularly prized for their mechanical purity and performance. The iconic twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors deliver without the clutter or weight of restrictive secondary valves and crossover pipes. This layout provides superior cylinder head airflow and serves as the ideal foundation for tuning and historic upgrades like the Big Valve conversion, preserving the uncompromised driving dynamics that made the Elan famous.

Coming to market from just over 40 years with our vendor is this solid and well-maintained 1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE, finished in yellow with a black interior. Fitted with a Spyder chassis and roll bar, the car has remained under the care of the same owner for 40 years. Recently recommissioned with fresh work to the brakes and clutch, it comes with an impressive three folders of invoices, paperwork, and notes dating from 1980 onward. The sale includes spare keys, workshop manuals, an owner's handbook, MOT certificates back to 1986, parts catalogues (including a desirable Dave Bean publication), and documentation of previous ownership.

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

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Vehicle Delivery

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

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.

Video #2

Meet the owner

Gordon knows the car inside and out, having genuinely cherished every moment of his 40 years of Elan ownership.

Gordon purchased the car in June 1986 as a near complete running project. Drawing on his RAF background, he restored it to his exacting standards and meticulously documented every detail, track record, mileage entry, and expense. An active club member, he frequently drove the car across Europe and participated in several non-competitive track days.

A skilled home mechanic, he is now reluctantly offering the car for sale due to declining health.

Janice, on behalf of Gordon will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Gordon
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Enhanced by its Spyder chassis and roll bar, the Elan has been exceptionally well kept and presents cleanly.

Wheels and Tyres

The 13-inch black-painted steel wheels remain in decent condition, showing only minor signs of age - they feature chrome trim rings and wheel spinners.

Goodyear 165/80/13 tyres are installed on both the front and rear. Although these tyres appear to be over 20 years old, they retain legal tread depth and display no visible sidewall cracking or damage.

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.

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Bodywork

The exterior is in good shape with no notable fibreglass damage. It shows only a few minor gelcoat fractures, primarily on the trunk lid, alongside a couple of minor instances of light spidering on the wings. There are no signs of rushed body repairs, and the car sits level on the chassis. Both doors open and close smoothly, though the lower door edges stick out slightly past the bodywork.

The underside is in good condition, and the modified 1980s Spyder spaceframe has been treated with a rust inhibitor and remains well-preserved. The underbody tub is clean with no significant fractures we could see. Additionally, the wheel wells, engine bay, and boot floor are clean.

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.

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Paint

The yellow paint maintains a consistent finish with a positive shine across the entire car. While there are a few chips, marks, and light blemishes, including scuffs on the bonnet aperture, offside wheel arch, and driver's door edge, the overall appearance remains very good.

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.

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Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition, aside from a mark on the passenger-side window, and the windscreen seal remains intact despite showing its age.

The brightwork, lighting and trim are secure and generally well-preserved, though certain components like the taillight bezels show clear signs of wear. The previously repainted bumpers display surface cracking alongside other ageing.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Forty years of Gordon's careful preservation have maintained the cabin’s impressive original charm.

Seats and Carpets

The seats present cleanly, showing only light marks and far exceeding the expected condition for their age.

The carpets are complete and entirely dry throughout.

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Dashboard

The dashboard is in good condition, featuring clean padding, though the vent grilles show some age.

The facia veneer is in excellent shape, and the switches, dials and controls are said to be in good working order.

The interior trim and door cards are equally tidy.

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Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The Moto-Lita steering wheel is clean, and the matching wood gear knob presents well.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

While a full test drive was not conducted, a mechanic has confirmed the car performs impressively.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts effortlessly, sounding smooth and even without any hesitation. It maintains a steady idle, free of misfires or unusual noises. The ignition warning lights stay off, and exhaust emissions are minimal, displaying only light condensation. The oil pressure registers a healthy 40 psi before gradually settling lower as the engine reaches operating temperature.

The engine has been well maintained by Gordon, who put significant effort into keeping it in peak running order. It presents well, featuring sound hoses and ancillary components. The carburettors were overhauled in 2023, and the car is fitted with a stainless steel exhaust system.

The clutch has a recently replaced slave cylinder and functions smoothly. The gearbox was briefly tested, selecting all gears without any issues.

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Suspension and Brakes

We have no direct report on the suspension's performance, but its physical condition and Gordon's regular upkeep suggest it will handle well and absorb road bumps without issue.

The car's brakes function properly with no reported issues. The calipers were replaced in April 2025, and supporting invoices show additional brake servicing over the prior two years.

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The Drive

The engine is built on a Ford Kent 116E cast-iron block topped with Lotus's own aluminium DOHC cylinder head. It features a historic Big Valve upgrade along with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettor units.

A brief test of the gearbox and clutch revealed no faults, with the engine pulling cleanly and running evenly without spluttering. Visual exhaust emissions are minimal, oil pressure stays steady, and operating temperatures remain normal. After test-driving the car, the mechanic who replaced the clutch in late August confirmed its good mechanical health.

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Electrics and Other

The convertible top is in good condition with no significant wear and clear rear windows. It raises and lowers smoothly and fits snugly over the Spyder roll bar.

The tonneau cover also fits well.

While we did not test the vacuum-operated headlights, however they have been serviced in recent years.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

It boasts an impressive provenance, supported by 46 years of invoices, receipts, and detailed notes.

The car comes with a thorough history file. Originally ordered in late 1969, it includes documentation tracing ownership back to new, alongside itemised invoices and receipts dating from 1980 onward. A previous owner began restoring the vehicle before running out of funds around 1986. Gordon then acquired the car, oversaw an engine overhaul, and has carefully maintained it ever since.

Supported by three folders containing over 400 invoices, the paperwork covers extensive mechanical work, routine maintenance, and miscellaneous parts. Gordon kept detailed logs of every repair, service, and cosmetic enhancement, accompanied by a stack of MOT certificates dating back to 1986.

Recent invoices cover work on the clutch slave cylinder, brake calipers, headlight hydraulics, fuel tank, and carburettors. The sale includes workshop manuals, an owner's handbook, a road test book, several parts catalogues, including a hard-to-find Dave Bean publication, documentation of prior ownership, and at least two sets of keys. Gordon is also including a personal photo album documenting the car.

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, and 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 on 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 bid/s, 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
24-09-2019 MOT 27,439
22-02-2018 MOT 26,102
17-02-2017 MOT 24,636
22-02-2016 MOT 23,415
19-02-2015 MOT 21,981
24-02-2014 MOT 21,066
25-02-2013 MOT 20,238
13-02-2012 MOT 19,394
14-02-2011 MOT 17,844
22-02-2010 MOT 16,958
24-02-2009 MOT 15,833
28-09-2007 MOT 13,627
14-09-2006 MOT 12,279
16-09-2005 MOT 9,474
26-07-2004 MOT 8,396
09-12-2003 Mobil 1 Service statement 107,817
01-08-2003 MOT 7,551
17-11-2002 Independent Service
03-08-2002 MOT 6,593
04-08-2001 MOT 5,806
22-07-2000 MOT 4,930
24-12-1999 Mobil 1 Service statement 103,998
07-08-1999 MOT 3,741
26-12-1998 Mobil 1 Service statement 102,758
23-07-1998 MOT 2,009
13-12-1997 Mobil 1 Service statement 101,303
11-07-1997 MOT 225
19-10-1996 Mobil 1 Service statement 99,270
08-07-1996 MOT 98,058
30-04-1996 Mobil 1 Service statement 97,000
05-11-1995 Mobil 1 Service statement 96,925
27-06-1995 MOT 96,393
13-06-1994 MOT 93,708
26-04-1994 Mobil 1 Service statement 92,675
25-06-1993 MOT 90,912
19-08-1992 Mobil 1 Service statement 88,366
12-06-1992 MOT 87,678
13-06-1991 MOT 84,924
13-06-1990 MOT 82,352
09-06-1989 MOT 79,799
06-06-1988 MOT 75,930
26-05-1987 MOT 73,857
28-05-1986 MOT 70,664
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model Elan S4 SE DHC
  • Transmission 4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date 16-01-1970
  • CC 1558
  • Mileage ~128,340
  • History Since 1980
  • Colour Yellow
  • Interior Colour Black
  • Interior Trim Leather
  • Chassis # 459567
  • Engine # L20812MN136
  • MOT Lase Expired: 24-09-2019
  • MOT Exempt Yes
  • Road Tax Exempt Yes
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 2
  • Tyre Brand Goodyear GT2
  • Tyre Age 20 years +
  • # of Keys 2+
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned ~40 Years
  • Key Feature Impressive Provenance and Maintenance
  • Vehicle Registration OMA 230H
  • Driver’s Side Right
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 2-door Convertible
  • Auction ID 4012
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Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

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Vehicle Location

Salisbury

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    1969 Lotus Elan S4 DHC
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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a Elan like this is £158 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2026.

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    Vehicle Location

    Salisbury

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