1968 Lotus Elan S3 Coupé
A 1965 Lotus Elan Series 3 Fixed Head Coupe, finished in French Blue with a black interior, delivered new as a kit from Lotus agent Gemini Cars and built by Walker Racing engineers. With fewer than 20,000 miles recorded across only three owners, the car spent roughly three decades in heated storage before being mechanically recommissioned in 2002. Subsequent light work was carried out before a 2005 Bonhams sale, and further refreshing preceded its acquisition by the current vendor in 2015.
Ownership
- 2020-02-21Auction saleEstimate £24,000 – £28,000
- → 2005Factory deliveryDavid Penneypartial documentation
Purchased the car new as a kit via Lotus agent Gemini Cars; it was assembled by Walker Racing engineers. After accumulating roughly 19,850 miles, the car was placed into heated storage for approximately three decades.
- 2005 → 2015AuctionBritish car collector (second owner)partial documentation
Acquired at the Bonhams Beaulieu sale and incorporated into a sizeable collection of British motorcars; the car appears to have been lightly used during this period.
- 2015 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Used the car sparingly; odometer advanced only marginally to 19,934 miles indicated. Documentation includes purchase invoice, all subsequent bills, the owner's handbook, and a short ownership list.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002Mechanical
Recommissioning after approximately 30 years in storage; replacement of tyres, brakes, shock absorbers, exhaust system, and suspension donuts.
- 2005Service
Light refresh carried out prior to the Bonhams auction, encompassing carburettors, brake calipers, master cylinder, clutch reservoir, flexible hoses, and front suspension bushes.
Work completed before the Bonhams Beaulieu sale in 2005.
- 2015Service
Further light refreshing of the car ahead of acquisition by the current vendor.
- —Modification
Fitment of later knock-on drilled wheels and installation of a metal-sprayed exhaust system, representing the only recorded departures from original factory specification.
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