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1968 Lotus Elan S3 SE Drop Head Coupe 

 

The Lotus Elan requires no introduction, a hugely coveted motorcar and one that appears to be a must have for many collectors.
And for good reason, everything about these little cars is ‘just right’, everything. From the lithe and nimble character of all controls, to its beautifully simple yet totally effective design. 

 

With originality being the focus here for this offering, this 1968 Series 3 special equipment drop head coupe retains so many of its ‘as built’ features. 

Lotus introduced the Special Equipment cars with the following, ‘Based on experience gained from the racing Elan and the Rally prototype this car retains the tractability and comfort of the touring models but provides even greater performance and roadholding’. 

The SE was offered in both drop head coupe and fixed head coupe guise, and to many is a real sweet spot in the range. 

 

ATW 41F is a very fine example indeed and one which has been lavished with care and attention from the right people who quite obviously all had the same focus, originality. 

 

The  ‘Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance’ and covering letter from the factory held on file confirm this to be a ‘matching numbers’ Series 3 Elan Drop Head Coupe supplied with the Special Equipment package to the London Sports Car Centre under Invoice Number EK 54510 on 20th March 1968.

 

Highlights of the restoration and maintenance record referred to above are:

 

Full mechanical restoration on new Lotus supplied galvanised chassis (LR 1406), new hood and carpets - 1981/2, 74,513 miles

 

Further engine work - 1983

 

Full body restoration and repaint back to ‘Lotus Blue’ - 1989

 

New bonnet and dashboard - 1996

 

Rebuilt radiator and new stainless steel exhaust manifolds - 2004

 

New rear springs and discs - 2012

 

Extensive recommissioning work totalling over £3,200 - 2012

 

Further recommissioning and evaluation work carried out in May 2016 at a cost of over £1,000

 

Hand written maintenance logs covering the period 1978 to 1989

 

And it is in more recent years where many all important big jobs have been carried out (and thankfully for the next owner, pots of money has been spent). For example a total mechanical overhaul including engine rebuild, bodywork stripped and re-sprayed, while they were there the door shuts which could never be called perfect on these cars were sorted which is a rather painstaking process. The list goes on and this car ought to be seen to be appreciated. 

Everything that has been done to this car ensures originality is retained where possible whilst being bang up to date and in superb order mechanically, cosmetically and structurally. 

 

A wonderful, extremely well sorted and highly original factory SE which is very much ready to enjoy.