TRUSTED NATIONWIDE • CALL 01926 293530

REGISTER TO BID
REGISTER TO BID
Account Login

Please login to bid on an auction or manage your account.

Login Details
SIGN UP
Keep up to date
Keep up to date with all things Trade Classics, along with new cars.
Curated Auction

1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE Coupe

At a Glance

Suspension and Brake Overhaul | 2025 Engine Rebuild | Long-Term Ownership | Excellent Potential for Cosmetic Improvements

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

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£7,000
See Bidding
Register TO BID

AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£7,000

See Bidding
Video #2

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.

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.

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

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

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

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.

image

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.

image

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.

image

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.

image
VIEW ALL
INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

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.

image

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.

image

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.

image
VIEW ALL
'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

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.

image

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.

image

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.

image

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.

image
VIEW ALL
Video #2

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
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model Elan S4 FHC
  • Transmission 4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date 25-03-1969
  • CC 1558
  • Mileage 110,785
  • History Since 2003
  • Colour Canary Yellow
  • Interior Colour Black
  • Interior Trim Vinyl
  • Chassis # 36/8820
  • Engine # L18115
  • Engine Rebuild Yes in 2025
  • MOT Exempt Yes
  • Road Tax Exempt Yes
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 7
  • Tyre Brand Uniroyal / Kleber
  • Tyre Age 2018/2022
  • # of Keys 2
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned ~16 years, 9 months
  • Key Feature Ownership + Mechanical Attention
  • Vehicle Registration BRB 726G
  • Driver’s Side Right
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 2-door Coupe
  • Auction ID 3832
VIEW ALL
VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Farnham

Request A Delivery Calculation



    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £7,000
    £
    REGISTER TO BID
    1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE Coupe
    AUCTION STATUS RESERVE NOT MET
    RESERVE NOT MET RESERVE MET
    Countdown Timer
    0 Days
    0 HRS
    0 MIN
    0 SEC
    Auction Ends Thu 6th Aug at 7.00pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  3
    £7,000 bid by Gta9524.07.26 @ 13:53:38
    £4,400 bid by tonydobney23.07.26 @ 11:23:55
    £4,000 bid by Gta9522.07.26 @ 21:59:48
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    2274
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    0 Comments
    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a Elan like this is £TBC 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 Summer 2026.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Farnham

    Key Bidding Facts

    What is your reserve policy?

    A reserve is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept for their vehicle. We work closely with sellers to set realistic reserves that reflect current market values — we don’t take on vehicles with inflated or unrealistic expectations.

    If the reserve isn’t met when the auction ends, we’ll work with the highest bidder to try and agree a deal with the seller.

    Whether the reserve has been met may / may not be disclosed during the auction — just like a traditional auction house. Bidders usually find out if they’ve won only when the auction ends.

    As a guide:
    – If you’re able to place a second bid, the reserve hasn’t been met.
    – If you attempt to outbid yourself and the system blocks it, then the reserve has been met.

    Why shouldn’t I leave bidding to the last minute?

    Auto-Extending Bidding – we’ve developed auto-extending auctions that mimic traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure classic vehicles achieve their true worth. Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by two further minutes. So there is no need to leave bidding to the last second.

    Security – we operate higher levels of security, so you may need to enter further authorisations against your stored card after you select ‘Place Bid’. All this takes time and may mean you miss the end of the auction by the time the authorisation passes. To guarantee your bid, we recommend at least five minutes are active on the auction when you place your bid.

    Network Connection – your device may lose connection and you’re not able to bid, or see the latest bidding history.

    Register Account

    Please create an account to bid on our auctions and stay up-to-date by receiving our weekly auction update.

    Complete Form