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1966 Lotus Elan S3 Coupe

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Location: Evanston, Illinois, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Lotus
Model: Elan
SubModel: Coupe
Type: Coupe
Year: 1966
Mileage: 6,863
VIN: 36/5429
Color: Red
Number of cylinders: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Black
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear

1966 Lotus Elan Description

1966 (titled as a 1967) pre-airflow S3 Elan Coupe, privately owned for the last 10 years.

Very nice driver-quality S3 Elan Coupe. Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the British Car Union show in Chicago in 2009.The car was repainted prior to tenure, and while there are some paint flaws and chips, it looks quite nice. Chrome trim all intact and in excellent condition. It has Panasport knockoff wheels, and also comes with the original steel knock-offs.

Clean Illinois title in private seller's name.Tasteful and appropriate modifications (described in more detail below) include: Lumenitionignition, tubular headers, a lightweight alternator and starter, upgraded brakes, removable Safety Devices cage, cassette water pump and a CV axle upgrade from Dave Bean.
Lotus twin-cam motor wasrebuilt and its head machined nine years ago by marque specialist Jack Martin. The motor came with dual Dellorto carburetors, Lumenition ignition and tubular headers. A heavy duty clutch, resurfaced flywheel, and Dave Bean cassette-style water pump were fitted, and all suspension components were refreshed, including refitted spring perches for the adjustable SPAX shocks. The tachometer was sent to Nisonger for refurbishing. It has the Dave Bean CV joint conversion instead of donuts, and the brakes have been upgraded with a dual circuit master cylinder, EBC Green Stuff pads, new rotors, and stainless steel brake lines. The ball joints and steering bushings are new as well. Later the lightweight reduction gear starter, lightweight alternator, and electric cooling fan with switch were added. The lightweight Odyssey PC925 battery with quick release is brand new.

The interior is very nice and complete. No rips or tears. A few niggles here and there as one might expect. For example, the heater valve occasionally sticks, the interior turn signal indicatorlight does not work (though the turn signals are fine), the windshield washer pump is also non-operative, and the two-speed blower motor only works on one speed. Not all the speakers are wired. The car has a newish stereo. The odometer is not accurate.

There is a tiny seal weep at the rear of the motor that has been there ever since the rebuild. It has not gotten any worse. The car has only seen about 5,000 miles since the rebuild. There is also a slight parasitic battery drain; battery has quick release.

Some other facts: No damage history. No signs of any repairs, and the car tracks completely straight. The original glass is clean and clear. The oil pressure is spot on. It shifts well, no rear axle noise, no grinding, clunking, etc. Headlights pop up every time. Electric windows work. The steel backbone chassis has a few trivial spots of surface rust in places where the paint has flaked. See chassis picture.

According to a thread on Elannet, the motor has thedesirable Kent engine block, stamped 701M6015BA, which would indicate a replacement. The chassis stamp is 5429; according to a thread on Elannet, the original motor was LP5192, and the post states that the current engine number S29473 was from a Federal Europa with Stromberg carbs manufactured in the Spring of 1973. Again, this car has the desirable Dellorto head.

Elans were pretty rare cars to begin with, early pre-airflow fixed-head coupes maybe even rarer, so the fact that 50 years later this one’s chassis, body, and magnificent twin-cam engine are period correct and unmolested, should give any new owner investment comfort, not to mention a great deal of driving pleasure.

Car is stored in private, heated garage. It comes with fitted cover, repair manuals, some spares, and knock-off wheel removal tool.

Seller can assist with shipping (at buyer's expense).

Please do not hesitate to ask questions. Thanks for your interest.

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