1971 Lotus Elan Sprint Drophead Coupe
No Reserve

Registration No: DMB 866K
Chassis No: 7111270575G
MOT: Exempt

• Entered from a deceased estate
• Understood to be fitted with a Spyder galvanised chassis
• Original Type 45 Drophead Coupe
• Offered with previous restoration photographs
• Workshop manual, collection of invoices and current V5C
• Large collection of spare parts

Brainchild of Lotus design and development engineer Ron Hickman, the Elan was introduced at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show. Based around a steel backbone chassis (a.k.a. the 'Chapman Bracket') clad with lightweight fibreglass bodywork, the newcomer boasted such niceties as all-round independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, pop-up headlights and integral bumpers. Powered by a 1600cc (initially 1500cc) 'twin-cam' four-cylinder engine mated to four-speed (later five-speed) manual transmission, the diminutive Lotus rewrote the class rulebook in terms of ride, handling and performance. Arriving during March 1968, the S4 was only in production for two or so years and like its siblings has become increasingly sought after of late. Arguably the ultimate Elan derivative, the Sprint arrived in February 1971. Characterised by its 'Big Valve' (126bhp / 113lbft) engine and bold colour schemes, the model was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and 121mph. The Sprint was the final iteration of the Lotus Elan and was marketed between 1971 and 1973. Lotus always intended it to be a distinct model in its own right, rather than a 'Series 5', primarily for marketing purposes, however, the model was dropped from the Lotus line-up in August of 1973, with the Sprint remaining keenly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

"The Elan remains the definitive small-bore sportscar, the standard by which all others have come to be measured" (Car & Driver magazine)

Being entered from a deceased estate and ownership that included a later Elan M100 and a Porsche 928 this is an original Type 45 Drophead Coupe. First registered on the 3^rd January, 1972, and delivered to a Miss Jean Lawrence of Prestbury, Cheshire it then passed to new keepers in the same area before ending up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1977, with an Alfred Bowmer. Coming into the ownership of the deceased owner in May of 1978, he pursued the fettling, upgrading, upkeep and restoration of ‘DMK’ until recent years. The Sprint is being offered with photographs documenting previous restoration work that saw the car being built back up from the chassis upwards; perhaps sometime in the early 1980s and believed to have, over the years, previously benefitted from a galvanised chassis and other items, such as wishbones and an alloy tank from Spyder.

It is being offered at the sale along with a wealth of paperwork, including files, mileage logs, old MOT history and tax discs, photographs, wiring diagrams, workshop manual, engineering workshop manual, Club Lotus and Lotus-related material (including price lists), correspondence and a large collection of invoices. Old invoices and correspondence go some way to verify the mileage and importantly the regular maintenance and upkeep of the Sprint throughout many years. There are receipts for batteries, servicing, wheel-tracking and too many items to list. For example, in 1979, Sports Motors (Manchester) Ltd supplied a steering rack. In 1998 Chris Foulds Motors (Huddersfield) completed a rear suspension overhaul, including new bushes and the driveshafts being cleaned and powder coated, all for the sum of £1186.26. In 1999, the gearbox was rebuilt by Acceleration (Elan) Ltd. The deceased owner had diligently completed mileage record logs for the Sprint, even documenting days when the car didn’t turn a wheel, but maybe was benefitting from garage work. The mileage logs cover 1984-‘89, 1978-‘82, 1989-‘94 and 1998-’05. The car is being offered with the aforementioned paperwork and history and with a current V5C. Also offered in the sale is a Hardtop, spare Bonnet and door which will be present at the sale. Requiring collection from our head office in Warrington, Cheshire are two solid drive shafts for conversion, a spare cylinder head with cams and inlet manifold, 4 wheels plus tyres and boxes of sundry spares.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760