1 owner history, unmolested "driver", new paint, fresh service, great investment

1971 Lotus Elan Series 4 Drop Head Coupe.  Very presentable. numbers matching "driver" with a new paint job (it's not perfect. but very nice from 5 feet away).   Only 62K original miles on chassis drivetrain.   No engine rebuild history and no accident history.  Previous owner had car serviced/repaired regularly at a local repair shop as needed.   I bought this from the original owner of 42 years who kept it on the road for yearly summer fun.   I'm technically the 2nd owner since early this year.   

Two pictures show the car before paint as I got it.   It came from factory in French Blue and previous owner had it painted Lotus Yellow years ago.  That paint was faded and cracking/flaking as you can see.    I wanted a presentable driver so I had the new paint job done at a local shop.   All chrome. emblems. bright work are newly polished up.  I installed new roto-flex couplings.  I rebuilt the front and back brake calipers and installed new pads front and rear.   Existing rotors appeared OK.   Doesn't pull or steer off course and stops well.  Parking brake holds well too.   Motor does drip/spot some oil on garage floor.   Fresh oil & filter cartridge change.  Replaced thermostat (180) and radiator fan thermo switch.

Drive it anywhere. runs fine. but the Zenith Strombergs 175CD carbs are not the original Lotus setup. but rather replacement carbs installed in years past.   They have adjustable needle valve thumb screws under the float bowls and provide easy adjustment.   I did a total rebuild with new floats and o-rings.  Engine bay and trunk areas are not as detailed as the exterior and are in original running and driving condition. Chassis is also in original driving condition so all bushings are original.  There's only surface rust evident. no rust through anywhere so I'm very comfortable with the integrity of the backbone frame.    Clutch is good and shifts fine in all gears.   Back up lights even work. Tires have good tread but are older.   Interior seats are very nice (not perfect) and have minor imperfections.  I bought a brand new interior carpet set from RDent that needs to be installed by you and goes with the sale.  Also have new door seal moulding new in box from RDent as well.  Original dash board veneer finish is cracking/peeling. All glass is good. but convertible top rear window is yellowed.   The heater unit is not installed but comes with the car.     

Some things are NOT working at the moment. such as horn. power windows. gas gauge. tachometer. volt/charge meter (but it does positively charge the system). All other electrics DO work (headlights. hazards. parking. turn signals. oil pressure. water temp. etc. )   Headlights need to be lifted manually. as the existing vacuum setup isn't working right.   The lights make their way up while driving.  Spare in trunk (a snow tire). but no jack or tools.   Will supply hub nut removal tool.  

I'm having fun driving it this summer. Car is tagged. insured and being driven and taken to shows. Feel free to ask any questions. I can share more pix of specific areas if requested.   More pictures are available on my website "TaylorMadeClassicCars" dot com.

Car is 42 years old and in original unrestored condition.   No warranties or guarantees.   Sold where is and as is.   Car available for inspection and I would encourage this.   No tire kickers or joy riders!  Car makes a very nice original driver or you can do a full nut/bolt restoration.   There are no other modifications known and this is a very good original unmolested example of the Lotus marque with a  long term one owner history.

Build date on door tag is March 1970.  Full vin# is 450038K  It's titled a 1971.  The Windshield Vin tag is #0038K   The etched tag under the hood next to brake master cylinder is #700306 0038K.   The title reflects #450038K.  It has the original motor with the car as reported by the original owner and confirmed it is a matching numbers car.  The body plate on firewall next to master cylinder states engine # G22322 and that is what is stamped on the block above the passenger side motor mount.

Those with less than ten (10) or negative feedback history do NOT bid unless you contact me and get approval first. otherwise your bids will be retracted and bidder banned from further bidding.

Also note that the winning bid is NOT a right of first refusal. but a commitment to purchase the vehicle regardless of anything. so a non-refundable deposit via PayPal is required within 48 hours of auction ending and arrangements to be made for pickup of item.  Vehicle is listed "for sale" by other venues and media. so I reserve the right to terminate the listing at any time. !

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