Lot 238: 1972 Lotus Elan S4 Sprint Drophead Coupé

An Elite-type glassfibre monocoque having proved insufficiently rigid when applied to an open car, Lotus boss Colin Chapman came up with a simple but effective steel backbone frame for the company’s new Elan sportscar. So successful was this chassis design that it still forms the basis of today’s Lotus cars. Suspension was all independent with unequal-length wishbones at the front, while a wide-based lower wishbone and modified Chapman Strut, as used in Lotus Grand Prix cars, was employed at the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering was sourced from the Triumph Vitesse, and there were Girling disc brakes all round. The Elan’s engine was a highly-modified 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) Ford Cortina unit topped with Lotus’s own twin-camshaft cylinder head, and both gearbox and differential came also from Ford. As development progressed the Elan became more civilised, the final Series 4 - introduced in March 1968 - benefiting from dashboard fresh-air vents and improved interior trim and fittings. The bodyshell was slightly thinner - and lighter - than the S3’s and featured flared wheelarches accommodating wider wheels, side repeaters and larger Plus 2-style rear lights. Towards the end of production a higher-performance version, the Elan Sprint, was introduced featuring the Tony Rudd-developed ‘Big Valve’ engine producing 126bhp - some 20 horsepower more than the standard Elan’s - and a suitably strengthened transmission. A duo-colour body, gold bumpers and black wheels distinguished the new model. Adequately powerful, light in weight and endowed with exceptional roadholding and handling, the Elan proved an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 being produced by the time production ceased in 1973.
First registered in 1972, this Elan S4 Sprint has enjoyed only three private owners from new and currently displays a total of circa 48,000 miles on the odometer. We are advised that the car was fitted with a new chassis approximately 10 years ago and that between 2001 and 2003 it underwent extensive restoration. The latter involved a complete strip down and re-spray; engine rebuild and conversion to unleaded compatibility; overhaul of the steering, suspension and brakes; and the fitting of a host of new parts including the fuel tank, dashboard, stainless-steel exhaust system and Pirelli P1000 tyres (full list available). Invoices for this work are in the accompanying file together with a record of all journeys from 1979 at 23,377 miles though to December 1985 at 47,133 miles. Presented in good condition throughout, this extensively renovated example of the ultimate Elan is offered with MoT to May 2008 and Swansea V5 registration document.