Lot details Registration No: GEV 11H Chassis No: 45/9463 Mot Expiry: Feb 2018
- Sold from Lotus on 22/10/1969 to Len Street Engineering
- Treated to a chassis up restoration including new bodyshell from 2012-2016
- £11,000+ in bills from Mick Miller, Paul Matty and Vincent Haydon but most labour done in-house
Reputedly 1 of just 1,148 Elan S4s dispatched by Lotus in 1969, this particular Drophead Coupe example - chassis number 45/9463 - was registered to its previous keeper from 1980 until entering the current ownership some six years ago. Laid-up following a carburettor fire during 2001 which also saw it become the subject of an insurance total loss payment, the two-seater was treated to an extensive restoration from 2012-2016. Bills on file total over £11,000 despite the fact that the vendor and his brother undertook much of the associated labour themselves. An original Lotus component, the chassis was found to be remarkably sound but nonetheless galvanised for longevity purposes. Sourced from marque specialist Boss Motors along with an o/s door and o/s headlamp pod, the replacement Drophead Coupe bodyshell boasts a specially reinforced windscreen surround and sundry other strengthening. Fitted with a 'hotter' camshaft than standard, the 1.6 litre twin-cam engine also benefited from a reconditioned water pump, refurbished cylinder head and professionally overhauled Stromberg carburettors (by Gower & Lee £508.80) etc. The interior trim was renewed as was the hood. The seats currently fitted are from a Toyota MR2 because they allow a taller driver to be accommodated but the original Lotus items can be collected by the successful purchaser. Starting readily upon inspection, 'GEV 11H' is said to go and handle with all the aplomb typical of an Elan and is only being offered for sale due to the arrival of a new project. It is accompanied by copy photos of the restoration from a bare chassis upwards not to mention numerous invoices from the likes of Mick Miller Classic Lotus, Paul Matty Sportscars and Vincent Haydon Classic Lotus Cars.
PLEASE NOTE: There is nothing in the 'Special Notes' section of this Elan's accompanying V5C Registration Document about the carburettor fire that it suffered during 2001. The fire saw it classified as a Category B Insurance Loss on 27th August 2001 with the following note: 'Bodyshell should have been crushed. Vehicle should not be on the road'. The original bodyshell was replaced with a strengthened reproduction one supplied by marque specialist Boss Motors as part of the 'chassis up' restoration that the Lotus underwent from 2012-2016. 'GEV 11H' was issued with a fresh, 'no advisories' MOT certificate on February 14th 2017.
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