Saying goodbye after 50 years of ownership

[PSLarsen]

After nearly 50 years of ownership and an extensive restoration and rebuild, I’m selling my 1969 Lotus Elan S-4. It is listed for auction with the folks at Gooding and Company in the US. More than anything, my hope is the Elan will go to a great new home, to someone who will appreciate and drive the car regularly. If you know anyone with a potential interest, please pass this along. The auction begins May 3 and the car will be sold on May 7.

LotusElan.net and its knowledgeable members were an invaluable resource to me when I rebuilt the car in 2013-2014. I literally could not have done it without this group, which led me to Brian Buckland, and the rest is history, as they say. The whole story of the car and my 50 years of stewardship of it can be found at: https://stevelarsen.net/cars/lotus-elan-1969/

Steve Larsen
13041 N 17th PL
Phoenix, AZ 85022
Email: [email protected]" target="_blank
Mobile: +1-650-248-0684

[661]

Nicely documented. Good luck with the sale.

[gjz30075]

Nice House estimate:
https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1969-lotu ... geNumber=1

Deserves every penny. Good luck!

[PSLarsen]

Thanks! We'll see what happens. I appreciate the good thoughts!

[RichardS]

Steve,
It must be a big wrench for you to part with your Elan after 50 years, and I enjoyed reading your account of your many years of enjoyment. I have had my Sprint for nearly 40 years, went on honeymoon in it, drove children around in it and has been part of the family ever since. I spent this afternoon checking things over before getting back on the road after months of lockdown, and plan some miles this weekend. Married for 38 years, Elan owner for 39!
Good luck with the sale
Richard

[PSLarsen]

Richard,

I'd had my Elan for about ten years when I got married. My aunt Effie, after the wedding, saddled up to my new bride and whispered, "Now that he's married, what will Steve be doing with his little yellow girl catcher?" Maggie paused for a bit, considered and finally said, "Well, Effie, if my husband is to have a mistress, I think I'd prefer she be in the garage, where I can keep an eye on her."

Steve

[gherlt]

Hello Steve,
You really did a hell of a job.
I just finished reading it and already looked for the book, but nothing comes up. Is it still available ?

I wanted to ask you for another favour to the community: as you did lots of pictures of your highly original car before restoring, would make them publicly available in high res ?
That would be a great resource for others.
I offer the server space if needed.
Thanks for your detailed descriptions, a joy to read.

Regards
Guillermo

[PSLarsen]

Guillermo,

Thanks for the good comments. I've got lots of hi-res photos and have no issues making them available. Let's figure out the easiest way to transfer them to you. Two things, I'll need a bit of time to find them all and get them into one folder. Shouldn't be too big an issue. Second, as I described on my website, my 2-3 year rebuild of my Elan was not a restoration. While working hard to maintain the integrity, look and handling of the original car, I chose to upgrade things to make the car safer and more reliable. For instance:
- new higher capacity radiator with much more powerful fans
- new alternator - lighter and more powerful
- eliminated mechanical fuel pump and went to electric
- kept orginal car cover even though it was damaged in spots
- eliminated the rubber rotoflex coupler and went to a genuine rear end with new axels

I could send you the entire list if I had your email address. Mine is steve @ stevelarsen.net

Steve

[andyj007]

steve Good luck chap.. I have admired your website & cars.. you downloadable book was great... and thanks for teh garage dimensions.. ive sent you email
kr

andy

[brandonsan]

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de ... 96471.html

[1owner69Elan]

Being flipped by a dealer?

Sold at no-reserve auction recently for $34.1k and now listed at $72k by dealer. Quick buck..

Original owner appears to have really gotten burned. The gamble of a no reserve auction.

Not saying the car will sell for the $72k but certainly worth more than $34k. Sold for $55k a few years back.

[andyj007]

wow, that went cheap..

[1owner69Elan]

Being flipped by a dealer?

Sold at no-reserve auction recently for $34.1k and now listed at $72k by dealer. Quick buck..

Original owner appears to have really gotten burned. The gamble of a no reserve auction.

Not saying the car will sell for the $72k but certainly worth more than $34k. Sold for $55k a few years back.

Now on BAT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969- ... lan-s4-11/

[Slowtus]

Being flipped by a dealer?

Sold at no-reserve auction recently for $34.1k and now listed at $72k by dealer. Quick buck..

Original owner appears to have really gotten burned. The gamble of a no reserve auction.

Not saying the car will sell for the $72k but certainly worth more than $34k. Sold for $55k a few years back.

Do have a link?

I can only find the one where it sold for $34.1K

[1owner69Elan]

2016: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1969-lotus-elan-se/

2021: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1969-lotus-elan-se-1/

Two separate auctions through Gooding and Co, five years apart.