Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. Arguably one of the most significant models in the long history of Lotus, the original ‘Type 26’ Elan of 1962 is the car that perhaps best encapsulates the true Lotus ethos of how a sports car should drive. Built on a sturdy steel backbone chassis with competition-derived suspension, a Triumph steering rack and Girling disc brakes all round, the Elan was endowed with terrific handling and road-holding. The lightweight body was made from fibreglass, while under the bonnet a highly modified 1, 498cc (later 1, 558cc) Ford Cortina unit incorporating Lotus's own Twin-Cam cylinder head – bestowing the Elan with tremendous performance - whilst both the gearbox and differential also came from Ford. Launched as a roadster with minimal creature comforts, the Elan was sold both in kit form or fully built and was constantly improved, becoming the S2 in 1964 before an S3 version was launched at the London Motor Show in September 1965, with two new Type Numbers - the 36 (Fixed Head Coupé) and the 45 (Drophead Coupé, replacing the Type 26) which appeared some nine months later.
Heralded as the most civilized Elan yet, the S3 was more refined, better equipped and even had decent weather protection, with door window frames and a proper hood, plus electric windows, a redesigned dashboard and better trim. The S3 continued to employ the rugged Ford-derived Twin-Cam motor, developing 105bhp (118bhp was available from the SE model) with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors and a 4-speed gearbox. Sold between 1965 and 1968 with a list price of £1, 262 in component form (or £1, 553 fully built), some 1, 450 Elan S3 Drop Heads were made. Powerful, lightweight and endowed with exceptional road-holding and handling, the Elan proved an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9, 000 being produced by the time production ceased in 1973.
The car presented here is a 1967 Lotus Elan Series 3 SE (Special Equipment) DHC that's been entrusted for the last 20 years or so to the care of Mr Brian Buckland, aka ‘The Elan Man’. Brian is an acknowledged authority on everything Elan, the word 'expert' would be an understatement – writing and publishing The Elan Bible in 2006, whilst also dutifully maintaining Elan #1, Jim Clark’s car, NUR 997. Indeed, Brian’s own Elan is very famous having covered almost a million miles.
Brian set about stripping RCH 404F and establishing that the original chassis was beyond repair, replaced it with a new Spyder spaceframe unit. At the same time, all components were checked and renewed wherever needed, including the wishbones, shock absorbers and brakes. Approximately four years ago, the car was returned to Brian to remedy the bodywork and the engine (it was suffering with low oil pressure). The bodywork was improved and then fully resprayed in Monaco White by Lotus specialists, Option 1 Sportscars of Bromsgrove, whilst Brian set about removing the engine and completely rebuilding it, including new pistons, bearings and a reconditioned head. The car was subsequently driven by Brian to Scotland, on a regular pilgrimage to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, at the request of our vendor (who’s ill health prevented his participation). Brian describes RCH 404F as a 'nice car to drive' – high praise indeed - and he should know, with it now covering only c. 2, 500 miles since its overhaul.
With a substantial history file and much care lavished by ‘The Elan Man’, this diminutive British sportscar is ready for its next owner and many more adventures.
