1965 Lotus Elan S2 Drop Head Coupé

Over time it would appear that modern sports cars seem to have lost touch with the original formula. A sports car is about being light, having finesse, with a focus on handling rather than all-out speed, making the driver feel like they oversee every single input. The Elan was somewhat of a sports car masterpiece, and Colin Chapman rightfully deserves the praise he received for curating such a fantastic sports car. “To say that driving the Elan is immense fun is almost an understatement. It is a car which keeps young men young and makes old men younger...”

The Elan was an instant success when launched in 1962 with well documented celebrity owners such as Jim Clark, Emma Peel and Peter Sellers. Using Colin Chapman’s minimum weight design, tipping the scales at just 640kg by being the first road-going Lotus to utilise the now synonymous combination of a steel backbone chassis coupled to a separate fiberglass body. Colin Chapman proudly announced in the launch literature that "We wanted to build you a fun car”. Power is delivered from the legendary Lotus 1,558cc Twin Cam engine through a 4-speed gearbox to the rear wheels, whilst cutting-edge features such as all-round disc brakes, fully independent suspension, and rack and pinion steering provided agility and handling that was second-to-none. The Series 2 was introduced in 1964, adding a full-width dash, glovebox, oval taillights, and optional knock-off wheels.

This 1965 Elan S2 DHC is one of the most meticulously restored examples we’ve ever seen. Finished in Carnival Red over a black vinyl interior, our vendor purchased the car in 2019 from Lotus gurus, Paul Matty Sports Cars, having searched high and low for a good example. Whilst the car was very good, it had a few minor quibbles that hampered his enjoyment of the car, thus starting the snowball effect on restoration. It was entrusted to experts Tony Thompson Racing, Craig Beck Racing and Marque 21 to go through the car with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it was as impressive mechanically as it is aesthetically. There is a smorgasbord of bills, invoices and receipts on file totalling over £34,000 from 2020 to 2024. Within these invoices there are details of a full engine rebuild by Craig Beck Racing including a new cylinder head, new pistons, valves and all machine work, a diff and gearbox rebuild by Tony Thompson Racing, as well as all new suspension and running gear overhauling. To say the restoration has been meticulous would be an understatement.

This Elan had received a new chassis earlier in its life, and a new engine later on, so whilst originality isn’t this car’s strong point, everything else certainly is. The history file is meticulous, including the all-important Lotus Heritage Certificate, the mechanical condition is exceptional, the aesthetics are sublime, and the overall driving experience is exactly what one would like an Elan to be. Keenly estimated at a mere fraction of the expenditure, let alone the original purchase price, what a fabulous machine to enjoy throughout the spring and summer months.