1968 Lotus Elan S4 Coupé ex-Keith Duckworth*

David Keith Duckworth (1933-2005) originally created the famous engine company, Cosworth, with Mike Costin in 1958 where they developed parts for Ford road car engines before switching their attentions to racing. He was widely acclaimed in Formula 1 motor racing circles as one of the most imaginative and resourceful engineers of the post-war era and his Cosworth DFV Grand Prix engine changed the sport's landscape for ever after its introduction at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix, where it powered Jim Clark's epochal Lotus 49 to a dominant debut victory.

The availability of an off-the-shelf Formula 1 engine that was ruggedly dependable and easy to operate opened up the possibility of competing in the World Championship for a whole raft of new independent teams. Between Clark's win in Holland and Michele Alboreto's victory in the 1983 Detroit Grand Prix, the Cosworth DFV and its derivatives won no fewer than 155 World Championship rounds.

This sparkling British Racing Green S4 Elan FHC, PNV 80F, was presented to Keith Duckworth/Cosworth Engineering Ltd. by Lotus Cars to commemorate the first win by a DFV-engined Grand Prix car at the Dutch GP at Zandvoort on 4th June 1967. We understand that Mike Costin, Cosworth’s co-founder, was also insured on the car and used it occasionally. A letter within the car's history file from Keith Duckworth to the Elan's second owner confirms that Keith was under the impression that he was being given a Series 3 car and was surprised to be gifted this "Lotus-built Series 4 prototype". He also confirms that, having bought it from Cosworth when he left in 1990,  the car remained in his possession until its sale in 1998 with an indicated mileage of 15,030.

The Elan was entrusted in 2016 to the well respected team of Ken and Neil Myers to commence a full, body-off, restoration to their normal, prize-winning standards but retaining as much originality as possible. Pleasingly the chassis, body and engine are all original and the car was re-finished in its original Lotus British Racing Green with silver bumpers and silver centre-lock wheels with three-eared spinners and stainless ‘Rimbellishers’. The interior is standard S4 and retains its Radiomobile push-button radio and three-spoke, Colin Chapman-monogrammed steering wheel. During the first run up of the engine, a fuel leak ignited and caused fire damage to the bonnet and bulkhead. Myers choose to make an insurance claim, where unfortunately it was deemed a 'Category B' insurance loss. They repaired the damaged areas and completed the restoration to their normal exacting standards and it was subsequently inspected by the DVLA and issued a V5C. After its long-term no expense spared restoration, PNV 80F was fully checked, fluid levels set and put into its heated motor house.

The indicated mileage is 19,900 which can’t be warranted but, given the Myers family's pursuit of perfection during the rebuild, it’s rather academic. Simply immaculate and a fine tribute to an exceptional engineer whose fastidious attention to detail was legendary.

Supplied with the car are an original Elan tool kit, an original Elan 4 Owners Handbook, old MOTs, tax discs, V5s etc, lots of period photographs, articles correspondence, magazines, a biography and assorted memorabilia.