1965 Lotus Elan S2

Highlights

• No expense spared, specialist restored car (completed in 2025)
• Fast-road’ specification engine rebuild, delivering dynamic performance
• Beautifully presented in original Cirrus White
• Extensive history file
• Original Owners Booklet
• MOT valid until March 2027, no advisories

The Appeal

The Lotus Elan S2 distilled Colin Chapman's philosophy of lightweight engineering into one of the most rewarding sports cars of the 1960s. With its backbone chassis, independent suspension and glassfibre body, the Elan set handling benchmarks that few contemporaries could approach, and the Series 2 refined the original concept with improved usability while preserving the model's dynamic brilliance.

Our example was owned by a motoring enthusiast for approximately 25 years. He used the Elan for club racing with much success, a fitting testament to the Elan's renowned agility. A painting that features this car (Car 48, 8813W) is included in the sale. A two-year restoration was completed in 2025, with the car retaining in its original Cirrus White. It gives a period-correct appearance that suits the model's delicate lines. The engine is noted to have been fully balanced and rebuilt to a 'fast road' specification, while the gearbox has been rebuilt by respected Lotus specialists. The most recent chassis replacement reported during restoration was a Lotus Elan Fixed-Head chassis. Since the mechanical rebuilds were completed, the car has covered approximately 1,400 miles, confirming it has been properly run in and exercised.

An extensive history file accompanies the car, the original owner's instruction book, a tonneau cover and toolkit. With looks to die for and having had such talented engineering investment lavished on its rebuild, we feel this Elan really shouldn’t be missed.

Key Information

• Odometer reading: 14,785 miles
• Original UK RHD vehicle
• Technical inspection status: MOT valid until March 2027, no advisories
• 'Fast road' specification 1,558cc Lotus-Ford twin-cam inline-four mated to four-speed manual gearbox
• Paperwork: extensive history file with many recent restoration and maintenance invoices, original owner's instruction book, copies of workshop manuals and parts list

The Detail

• Exceedingly well-presented, evidently restored to a high standard throughout
• Minimal signs of wear in line with limited use and careful storage since restoration
• Cirrus White with contrasting black interior. Smart wood fascia
• Original seats restored in black leather, new black carpets and inertia reel seat-belts
• 13-inch BRM Steel 5-Spot wheels with three-eared knock-offs
• Blaupunkt DIN stereo fitted
• Replacement fixed-head chassis fitted during the restoration
• Engine rebuilt to 'fast road' spec by respected Lotus engineers; gearbox rebuilt by Lotus specialists
• Run-in with ~1,400 miles covered
• Impeccably presented engine compartment
• Reported by the vendor to quick and engaging. All in all a delight to drive

BEFORE YOU BUY

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