1964 Lotus Elan Series 1 - One of the first 500 examples - Extensive Restoration

Unique opportunity to own one of the first 500 Lotus Elans !

March 1964 Lotus Elan Series 1

Matching numbers:

Chassis 26/0442

Engine LP1200

Original registration number 18 DWV

Original colour - Cirrus White

Original S Bourne and Co body No 0344

Subject to a recent nut and bolt rebuild.

Where to begin with this fantastic icon ?

First registered 4th March 1964 in West Riding of Yorkshire - registration No 18 DWV

Many councils had adopted the "suffix" registrations by 1964, so it is rare in itself to have such a nice original 2 number 3 digit registration.

It is believed that this particular example was supplied as a complete car (Rather than a kit).

The car has spent it's whole life registered in West Yorkshire.

The car is registered on a modern V5 registration (which due to the way DVLA deal with the old style log books shows "0 previous owners") -  but is also supplied with the original "Green" log book - showing full ownership records

Ownership history (full ownership history with names and dates will be provided to the new custodian of the Lotus)

Supplied new through the infamous dealer John Bosomworth (Skipton) ltd - a specialist sports car dealer - (A Google search will fill in his history !).

The first owner Ken, was a business owner and amateur race car driver - He kept the car from 1964 to 1973 - It is not known if he ever raced the Lotus - But he did campaign a Chevron B16 "back in the day".

From 1973 to 1976 the car changed hands a number of times until it passed to Michael, the 5th owner in 1976

There is an MOT from April 1976 at a local Huddersfield garage (which is still in business) when the car had covered (a believed genuine) 75,684 miles

We also have the original (not reproduction) tax discs from December 1975 and April 1976 - Interestingly Road fund was available for 4 month periods at this time.

Michael used the car during 1976 and covered approximately 4,500 miles before taking it off the road for restoration at the end of '76 / beginning of '77.

Those of you who know the marque will also know of Colin Chapman's ability to save money wherever possible - and in the case of early Elans, they left the factory with simply a coat (or possibly two) of red oxide on the chassis for protection. This meant that after only 13 years - This Elan (like many others) was in need of a replacement chassis.

Unfortunately, Michael never got around to restoring the Elan. It lay dismantled and dormant for the next 4 decades !

Luckily the original "Bourne" body-shell was stored in a dry garage away from damp and sunlight, along with the original engine, gearbox and the rest of the mechanicals and interior.

The chassis was placed in his brothers field - presumably for "safe keeping".

Every classic car has a story to tell - and this little Lotus is no different - but what a story - Fate would intervene and lead to the stunning car you see pictured here today.

The current owner Arthur Nasey has been restoring cars in his spare time since he was a young man living at home with his parents in the early 1960s.

His restorations have been seen at Goodwood Revival, Burleigh House and as far afield as The Isle of Man,  The United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.

He first became aware of 18 DWV one evening approximately 4 years ago, at a local hostelry whilst partaking in a refreshment - when the conversation turned to classic cars, and one of his acquaintances mentioned in passing - "My brother's got an old car in his garage - been there for years - it's an old Lotus".

At the time Arthur was half way through a 3 year restoration of an award winning 1931 Rolls Royce, so the possibility of owning "said Lotus" was not explored any further.

However a couple of years later in early 2019 when looking for another project to work his magic on, Arthur revisited the conversation and a number of months passed before he was able to arrange a "viewing" and following a couple of visits, the purchase was eventually secured and the Elan officially passed into Arthur's safe keeping on 6th May 2019 - He was now the proud owner of this very early example of a Lotus Elan.

Every classic car enthusiast dreams of unearthing a "Barn Find" that has not seen the light of day for years, so this 1964 Series 1 Lotus Elan - hidden away for 43 years - must be as close to the "Holy Grail" as most of us will ever experience.

A search of the registration number 18 DWV on the Internet will lead you to an album of over 200 photographs which show the condition of the car when purchased by the Arthur, and a step by step walk through the meticulous restoration.

As you will see from the pictures, the Lotus had previously acquired a very poor paint job and colour change to Carnival Red which dated back to 1974.

But on a plus note - It appeared that all the parts were present including the all important original twin cam engine !

The original chassis (beyond economical repair) was recovered from its resting spot in the field - firstly to prove that the car was complete and original and secondly to be destroyed at a later date to stop it "re-appearing "at some point in the future" or there being any arguments over the cars identity.

Before restoration began a trip to local Specialist "Chris Foulds Lotus" was in order and some very useful advice and contact information was obtained.

The decision was made there and then to restore the car back to original colour and original specification - as close as possible to how it left the factory back in '64.

Contact was made with renowned Lotus guru Miles Wilkins (Lotparts / Fibreglass services) and an order was placed for an original specification chassis.

Over the following 12 months, the car was transformed from a jigsaw puzzle of parts to the fantastic iconic sports car you see today - ready for another 50 years of enjoyment.

It is impossible to give a detailed description of all work carried out in this advert, but there is a large photographic record of the restoration, the new custodian will also be provided with a huge paper-trail, including receipts for all items purchased, plus a file detailing work carried out.

A brief summary of which is:

·      New Original spec chassis - painted in modern 2k black epoxy primer for protection and a top coat of Red oxide to maintain the original look·      Body shell stripped back to original (grey) gel coat and repainted in original Cirrus white to an excellent professional standard·      Engine fully reconditioned ·      Gearbox fully reconditioned·      New clutch - Including hydraulics·      Diff stripped and rebuilt·      Brand new Weber carburettors·      New Autosparks wiring loom - compatible for Dynalite alternator·      Converted to negative earth·      Electronic rev counter·      Brake callipers professionally rebuilt by "Classic Car Automotive"·      New brake master cylinder·      All new brake pipes·      New discs and pads·      All new suspension bushes·      New springs and shock absorbers·      New Pirelli Cinturato 145HR13 tyres·      New headlamp vacuum chambers·      New exhaust - retains its original (rare) cast manifold and "bean tin"·      All new light units·      Re upholstered seats·      New centre console·      re-cored radiator·      In excess of 1500 hours labour

The new owner will also be provided with

·      2 sets of keys·      Original loose leaf Workshop manual - in original binder·      All original documentation and history detailed above·      engine workshop manual·      restoration guide·      Club Lotus Valuation Certificate stating an estimated market value of £60,000 (dated December 2020)

Inquiries are invited from any interested party or their agent.

Serious buyers are welcome to arrange viewing / Inspection - The car is located in West Yorkshire

 This is a private sale - you will be purchasing the Lotus direct from the current owner / restorer - however it may be possible to arrange UK delivery or worldwide shipping - Please enquire for quotation.

Thank you for taking the time to read the story of this lovely little British Sports car.

For further details, or to arrange a viewing, potential buyers are invited to:

"ask seller a question" e mail [email protected] call 07801 746805 Thank youPayment by bank transfer only - Collection from HD9 unless delivery has been discussed and agreed in advance.Possibly the earliest matching numbers example available for sale in the world today.A lot more fun than money in the bank !

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?