Last updated on September 27, 2024
Today’s car is a 1969 Lotus Elan S4 drop-head SE owned by David S. I photographed this award winning car at the 26th Annual El Segundo Main Street Car Show held by the El Segundo, CA Chamber of Commerce. The car is finished in Carnival Red with a black interior. It is powered by a 125 hp 1.6 liter, modified 4-cylinder, DOHC engine, mated to a semi-close ratio 4-speed manual transmission with 3.77:1 rear axle. It breathes through a pair of CD-2 Stromberg carburetors and ceramic coated headers. Slowing this beauty down are 4-wheel disc brakes, inboard at the rear. The steering is rack and pinion with independent front suspension with double wishbone setup with adjustable coilover springs and shocks. The rear independent suspension utilizes a Chapman Strut (designed by Colin Chapman) and wide A-arms manufactured by Lotus, now modified for adjustable ride height. The car with its fiberglass body weighs in at just over 1500 lbs.
Lotus made two different Elans – the first series, of which this car lies, was built from 1962 – 1975. The total production number for the first series, consisting of S1, S2, S3, S4, and Sprint models is provided in John Bolsters book “The Lotus Elan and Europa: A Collector’s Guide” as 12,224 units of which 2,976 are S4’s. The MSRP was $4795.00. The published top speed of 130 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 Seconds. The second series was a completely different car built from 1989 – 1995 when GM owned Lotus. It is front wheel drive, with a turbocharged Isuzu powerplant. One of David’s boys owns one of these!
David has owned this vehicle for 38 years and started this mechanical restoration 5 years ago. The original chassis was showing its age and David replaced with a stock style chassis with all the factory race car stiffening upgrades. These include stitch welded gussets and reinforcements in all the weak spots to help it handle better and stay true and square. David’s attention to detail is evident and he can sit back and be proud of his accomplishments.
This is a beautiful British sports car to take to British and local car shows, Cars and Coffee events or just going through the S’s in the canyons with a smile on your face. Thank you for riding along. Frank
Engine work by Mountune USA
1000 East Carson Street
Carson, California 90745
Chassis by Lotus Elan Specialist – Tony Thompson Racing
Units 4-5
Kings Road
Melton Mowbray
LE13 1QF