1967-Lotus-Elan S3 Coupe

Description

1967 Lotus Elan S3 coupe
s/n 3616647
Light Blue with Black Interior

The Lotus Elan was launched in October 1962 at the British International Motor Show at Earls Court, just as the sixties started swinging. Jaguar had launched the E-Type the previous year, while AC had the Cobra and Ferrari the GTO. These were big, powerful, and expensive machines. The Elan was very different, and typically Lotus – ultra modern, lightweight, nimble and tremendous fun. From arch enthusiast Jay Leno to Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1, the accolades bestowed upon the gritty Elan typically call it “the greatest handling car of all time” or something equally grandiose in nature. We couldn’t agree more.

In the same year that Lotus revolutionized racing car design with the monocoque 25, they also packed the Elan with technically innovative features like the first backbone tube chassis of any road car as well as a fiberglass body, four-wheel independent suspension, weight of 1500 lbs (670kg) and the new Lotus Twin Cam engine, produced by significantly modifying a Ford 116E block. The new unit yielded over 100 horsepower and provided endless entertainment for the featherweight Elan package.

Right away the new Elan proved a welcome replacement to the fragile, expensive-to-build Elite and would go on to be Lotus’s biggest commercial success to that point, reviving the company’s overstretched finances. Initially a roadster, the Elan was offered with a hardtop in 1963 and a coupe came along in 1965.

This particular Elan is comprehensively built-up to current vintage racing specification with steel crank, wet/dry sump system, upgraded suspension, among many other thoughtful improvements. See this video documentary on the build process! Just one shakedown weekend at Monterey Pre-Reunion since build.

Engine Details:
• Tony Ingram built engine, all parts brand new except the block.
• Eight counter weight, knife edge, 72.75mm steel crankshaft.
• Steel Main Caps
• Ingram Head, Cams, Light weight Vernier Sprockets.
• CP Pistons 84mm
• Carrillo 5.23 Narrow Journal, Long Rods
• Billet Flywheel, Tilton Clutch
• Assembled and tuned by RPM, Rohnert Park, CA
• Oil System: custom Wet/Dry sump system with modified dry sump, high volume pump. 2 Quart Accusump.
• Kent/Petronix Distributor.
• Aluminum Radiator
• 45 DCOE Webers (new)
• RCI Fuel Cell, Holley Pump
• Fuel and Oil Lines: all either solid or steel braded
• 15-50 Joe Gibbs, HR Synthetic Oil

Suspension Details:
• AVO Adjustable perch shocks, Dave Bean Spring
• 2 ½” x 8” x 175# front
• 2” x 10” x 250# rear
• Adjustable Rear Sway bar
• Rear Wishbones adjustable for toe and camber
• Salisbury LSD (new), 3.9 gear.
• CV Drive Shaft conversion kit
• 13 x 5” Panasports, 5.0 x 22.0 x 13 Avons

Frame and Body Details:
• Right Hand Drive
• Full Roll Cage
• Frame strengthened and powder coated. Fire System, cockpit and engine compartment.
• Transmission, four speed, syncro, three rail, close ratio.
• Removable Steering Wheel.
• Custom Drivers Seat from Huffaker mold.
• New Interior Panels.
• Recovered Passenger Seat.
• Wink and Raydyot Mirrors.
• Plexiglass Headlight Covers
• Full Elan Manual
• 100% rewired with schematic drawings
• Autogage memory Tach

General Information:
• One shake down weekend, Monterey Pre-Reunion, 2015