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3481970 Lotus Elan S4 ‘Sprint’ Drophead CoupéRegistration no. JVW 529HChassis no. 7105120155G (see text)Engine no. L22068An Elite-type glassfibre monocoque having proved insufficiently rigidwhen applied to an open car, Lotus boss Colin Chapman came upwith a simple but effective steel backbone frame for the company’snew Elan sports car. Suspension was all independent with unequallengthwishbones at the front while a wide-base lower wishboneand modified Chapman Strut, as used in Lotus Grand Prix cars, wasemployed at the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering was sourced fromthe Triumph Vitesse and there were Girling disc brakes all round. TheElan’s engine was a highly-modified 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) FordCortina unit topped with Lotus’s own twin-camshaft cylinder head,and both gearbox and differential came from Ford also.As development progressed, the Elan became more civilised, thefinal Series 4 - introduced in March 1968 - benefiting from dashboardfresh-air vents and improved interior trim and fittings. The bodyshellwas slightly thinner - and lighter - than the S3’s and featured flaredwheelarches accommodating wider wheels, side repeaters and largerPlus 2-style rear lights.Towards the end of production a higher-performance version, theElan Sprint, was introduced featuring the Tony Rudd-developed ‘BigValve’ engine producing 126bhp - some 20 horsepower more thanthe standard Elan’s - and a suitably strengthened transmission. Aduo-colour body, gold bumpers and black wheels distinguished thenew model.Adequately powerful, light in weight and endowed with exceptionalroadholding and handling, the Elan proved an immense commercialsuccess for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 being produced by thetime production ceased in 1973.Although manufactured in May 1970, some months before theSprint’s announcement at the Earls Court Motor Show in Octoberof that year, this example is believed to be one of a number of S4ssubsequently returned the factory to be ‘refreshed’ and upgradedto Sprint specification. The Elan was in ‘barn find’ condition (seephotograph on file) when purchased by the vendor, a long-timeLotus enthusiast who has owned several over the years andcurrently numbers a ‘2-11’ amongst his collection, which is nowbeing reduced. ‘JVW 529H’ was restored over a three-year periodto Sprint specification, being completed in May 2010. Wider wheelsand a larger fuel tank (for long-distance touring) are the only notifieddeviations from factory specification.Described as in generally good condition, the car is offered with MoTto May 2015 and V5 registration document. (It should be noted thatthe latter incorrectly records the chassis number as ‘710S1201556’).£29,000 - 34,000€36,000 - 42,000Motor Cars | 229