Browse Categories

1969 Lotus Elan S4 SE FHC Street/Track

Street legal vintage racecar with VSCDA logbook.  Full interior, roll bar, new basecoat/ clearcoat paint, 26R flares/wings, new 6x13” knock-on Minilites, ATL cell, 7lb. remote discharge Halon fire system, Accusump, transponder, stock T/C, semi-close ratio box, 1430lbs.   

Reluctantly putting up my Elan for sale.  
I’ve gone to great lengths to lighten and simplify the car in ways I imagine Colin Chapman would approve while maintaining the aesthetics of the 60’s.  Some concessions will not be for everyone, such as the lack of sun-visors, heater, emergency break or having to manually raise or stow the headlights from under the hood (which I’ve personally done maybe 3 times over the past 8 years).  Beyond that it still maintains functional turn signals, high beams, running lights, wipers, emergency flashers, interior lights, head lights, break lights and electric windows. Chapman used these because they were lighter and more compact than wind-up window mechanisms.  All glass is original and in great shape. I love survivors and although the car received a professional paint job in addition to massive amounts of bodywork to accommodate the new Minilite wheels within the past year, the interior remains mostly stock and certainly shows the patina of age I think most will appreciate. 

The Twin Cam 1558cc has been left stock with longevity in mind.  Being an S4 the block is the later, stronger Kent casting and hasn’t been bored out.  The head has never been decked.  Compression is 165 lbs. on all cylinders. Ignition has new distributor points and condenser, comes with 3 sets of NKG plugs in different heat ranges and just got new plug wires.  New oil pump with high pressure kit and adaptor plate with AN-10 braded steel lines to oil cooler and 1 quart Accusump.  Accusump has electronic solenoid valve to pre-oil bearings when the ignition key is turned.  20 psi oil pressure switch operates LED “oh shit” dash light.  The engine maintains about 50 lbs. oil pressure at all times.  New water pump installed by Dave Bean, head bolts and recent value adjustment.  New 3 core aluminum radiator with silicone hoses, inline aluminum filler and original period Tudor catch can.  Multiple thermostats included (195*, 165* and open plate for continuous flow at the track) as the seasons change.  Lightened flywheel (12 lb.) with new bolts and new 8” clutch disc.  Clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder rebuilt. Semi-close ratio 4-speed box with the longer 3.55 rear end.  Both gearbox and diff use Red Line gear oil.  Car retains stock half-shafts with doughnuts.  Lightweight and tunable Supertrapp exhaust works well for both street and track and is one of the few mufflers that fits well within the bodywork and compliments the low lines of the rear much like a bee’s stinger.

Odyssey-Hawker lightweight dry cell battery with master cut-off switch on the dash. 10 gallon ATL fuel cell with new foam vents under the trunk with a K&N filter and contains roll over balls that are the envy of any machinist or bull. An electric fuel pump with inline regulator pushes fuel to the carburetors.  7 lb. remote push Halon fire suppression system discharges by the fuel cell, under the dash and under the carbs.  New “MYLAPS” direct power transponder allows you to get reliable times and run with any club. Custom chromoly 4130N (1.5 O.D. X .095”) roll bar ties into chassis backbone as well as triangulates and strengthens the rear strut towers.  Simpson 5 point F/X latch system harness bolts to it and provides a good angle for use with a HANS device.  Powder coated front cage from Tony Thompson included, but not installed. 

Adjustable powder coated front upper A-arms with rod ends allow you to adjust camber.  Rear has the Dave Bean narrow spring kit to allow wider tires and adjust ride height. Sprung with 160 lb. front springs 125 lb. rear springs.  This spring combo was recommended by Bean as good for the track without being jarring on the street.  Both front and rear use Spax adjustable shocks.  New tie rods. Brake calipers have been rebuilt and use braded steel lines.  Front Girling calipers use Hawker race pads while the rears use a softer street pad from Bean.  Brand new knock-on 6x13” aluminum Minilites from England shod with A70 Hoosiers. These tires have 2 race weekends on them.