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1970 Lotus Elan S4 SE Fixed Head Coupe 

‘GT’ Specification 

 

The word ‘restored’ often finds itself plonked in the title of many classic motorcars, it is from my experience at least a term with varying outcomes. 

In the case of this Elan S4 SE, the word ‘restored’ doesn’t quite do justice to the end result of what has been a painstaking, clever, beautifully executed and thought-out rebuild that took place between 2017 and 2019.

 

Supplied new to Mr R Bowes on 1st August 1970 this stunning example has covered an indicated 74,470 miles, just over 4000 miles since its restoration. Finished in Wedgwood Blue with black upholstery and carpets this car is in exceptional order throughout (as you may have already imagined). 

 

Full details on specification will be provided below, however a summary of works carried out reads as follows;

• Tony Thompson 26R chassis 

• Full engine rebuild to include forged pistons, high lift cams, larger valves, balanced crank, gas flowed, rebuild and expertly tuned Stromberg carburettors (more fitting to a car prepared for long distance use than the Weber alternative, with almost no power loss in the case of this car). 

• Five speed gearbox 

• Total strip down, re-gel coated and painted

• Re upholstered throughout 

• Taller diff for touring purposes 

• Big bore stainless steel exhaust system

• Adjustable front and rear dampers

• TTR driveshafts 

• Grooved disc brakes, uprated calipers and master cylinder with steel braided hoses 

• Uprated radiator and radiator ducting

• Electric Fan

• Fully re-wired 

• High torque starter motor

• Lightweight alternator 

• Dynomat sound insulation throughout the car

 

The fit and finish from shut lines and paint finish to interior trim are exceptional. But where this car really shines is on the road, the balance and poise expected from an Elan is present but quickly found to have been exaggerated by the work carried out to this particular car. The addition of the five speed box mated to the carefully prepared and tuned engine is genius, it allows this Elan to do what many can’t, which is comfortably tour. 

 

All works are documented within two sizeable folders, with invoices on file from respected Lotus marque experts such as Paul Matty Sports Cars dating back to the 1970’s. 

A recent feature in Classic & Sports Car magazine cements everything said above. 

 

A rare and special thing is a car which is even better than the sum of its parts, this is undoubtedly one of those cars.  

 

 

Technical Specification of VTY 777J:

 

Chassis

• Tony Thompson 26R chassis 2-pack painted RAL 7040 to match engine

• Spyder tubular wishbones front and rear

• Front upper ball joints

• Trunnions

• Front adjustable dampers with adjustable spring seats (Tony Thompson)

• Rear adjustable dampers (Koni)

• Rear hub carriers with adjustable spring seats

• Spyder tubular anti roll bar with Poly bushes

• Reconditioned steering rack with solid mounts

• Track rod ends

• Wheel bearings front and rear

 

Brakes

• Grooved discs F&R

• Calipers F&R

• Servo

• 13/16" master cylinder with remote reservoir

• Black stainless steel braided flexible pipes

• All other brake lines conifer

• Stainless steel handbrake links

• Handbrake cable

 

Engine

• Forged pistons

• All bearings and seals

• Water pump and housing

• Oil pump (standard pressure)

• Steel flywheel

• HD clutch

• Crank balanced

• Front sprocket, cam chain, guide sprocket and rubber guide

• Valves (bigger inlet), guides, springs, seats, bearings

• Ports flowed

• 123 programmable distributor

 

Drivetrain

• 5 speed gearbox with 2.9 first gear

• Diff bearings and seals

• Diff carrier housing

• Sprint diff mount reinforcing bracket

• Diff mounting and reaction rod bushes

• Propshaft UJs

• Rotofles couplings

• 5-1/2×13" Minilite wheels

• CNC modified Kelsport aluminium spinners with 3dD printed centre caps

 

Cooling and Heating

• Coolex Fatboy prated radiator with electric fan

• Radiator ducting and sealing improved (the car will happily sit in hot summer traffic without a problem)

• Heater core, motor and resistor in reconditioned housing

• Heater valve

• All hoses etc

 

Fuel system

• Stromberg carburetors reconditioned by Burlen

• K&N filter on custom aluminium duct

• Aluminium fuel tank

• Facet Posiflow fuel pump with impact cutoff switch

• Filter King filter/regulator

 

Electrical

• Complete rewire with 16 fuses

• Denso lightweight alternator

• Odyssey battery with custom aluminium bracket

• High torque starter motor

• Horns

• LED bulbs

 

Bodywork

• Strip to gelcoat

• Repair all gelcoat cracks

• Recessed aluminium fuel filler

• Wheelarches flared 8mm

• Smooth under bonnet finish

• Passenger and boot floors stiffened

• Panel gaps and alignment corrected

• Screen rubbers and all aperture seals

• All chrome renewed or replaced

• Door windows: nylon pulleys and stainless steel cables replaced, all flock gliders and sill seals replaced 

 

Interior

• Dashboard re-veneered matt teak

• Dash switches refinished

• Parcel shelf and bulkhead

• Headliner and upper rear quarter panels in black perforated vinyl

• Retrimmed seats, centre armrest and door card centres

• Seat frames powder coated

• Carpets

• Interior lights

• Inertia reel seatbelts

• Momo Prototipo steering wheel with custom 3D printed centre boss to mimic original horn push

• Vinyl trimmed boot liner panels with Dzus fasteners

 

Exhaust

• Big bore stainless steel manifold

• Custom stainless steel centre section with flex joint and 60mm resonator

• Stainless steel twin box silencers with additional bracket and modified tails