The Lotus Elan Auction of the Century

[Elanintheforest]

The descriptions and guide prices are on the site now, and I'm sure that a couple of them will far exceed their top estimate.

Most of the low range estimates are just how much an Elan would cost to restore to this condition!

What a stunning collection. It's the Emma Peel and Peter Sellers Elans for me....I'm not greedy.

The guide prices are in the filenames below....

Mark Kempson

[jcocking]

The Silverstone Auction's Race Retro Sale on February 25th has 7 historic Elans going on the auction block:

1966 Lotus Elan S3 - Ex-Peter Sellers

• This rare 1966 Lotus Elan S3-SE was delivered to Peter Sellers’ Haymarket home on June 22 1966 and, when in London, was driven by him, with wife Britt Ekland in the passenger seat, until 1969.
• GUIDE PRICE: £80,000 - £120,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa084-lot-19525-1966-lotus-elan-s2-ex-peter-sellers?el=19525&pn=1&pp=100

1969 Lotus Elan S4 FHC - 'Jochen Rindt'

• This S4 Coupé is particularly special as it was presented to Jochen Rindt by Colin Chapman at Hockenheim in August 1970 after his win in the Lotus 72 at that year's German Grand Prix. It was to be his final win prior to his untimely death at Monza a few weeks later.
• GUIDE PRICE: £80,000 - £120,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa084-lot-19529-1969-lotus-elan-s4-fhc-jochen-rindt?el=19529&pn=1&pp=100

1966 Elan S3 Drophead Coupé 'Emma Peel - The Avengers'

• After filming Series 5 and 6 of The Avengers, the Television Company gave this super little S3 Drophead to Diana Rigg who played Emma Peel in 51 episodes of the long-running British TV series.
• GUIDE PRICE: £80,000 - £120,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa0 ... n=1&pp=100

1968 Lotus Elan S4 Coupé 'Duckworth'

• An S4 Coupé given to Keith Duckworth, co-founder of Cosworth Engineering, by Lotus Cars to commemorate the first win by a DFV-engined Grand Prix car at the Dutch GP in 1967.
• GUIDE PRICE: £50,000 - £80,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa084-lot-19531-1968-lotus-elan-s4-coupe-duckworth?el=19531&pn=1&pp=100

1968 Lotus Elan S3-SE 'Rob Walker'

• Prepared for Grand Prix privateer and "the ultimate Gentleman Racer", R.R.C.'Rob' Walker, to commemorate Stirling Moss' legendary Monaco Grand Prix win in 1961 aboard the Rob Walker Racing Lotus 18.
• GUIDE PRICE: £50,000 - £80,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa084-lot-19528-1968-lotus-elan-se-rob-walker?el=19528&pn=1&pp=100

1971 Lotus Elan Sprint Drophead Coupé 'Ron Hickman'

• This stunning Sprint was formerly the property of Ron Hickman, the South African-born, Jersey-based automobile designer and inventor who worked with Colin Chapman for years and headed up the design team responsible for the original Elan, the +2 and the Europa but is probably best known for creating the Black and Decker 'Workmate'.
• GUIDE PRICE: £70,000 - £90,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa0 ... n=1&pp=100

1975 Lotus Elan Sprint

• The last Elan Sprint to be UK-registered and possibly the best Fixed Head Coupé in existence.
• GUIDE PRICE: £50,000 - £80,000
• https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa0 ... n=1&pp=100

Additional articles about the auction and cars: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/car ... -700k.html

There are also a couple of Lotus Cortina's up for sale.

How much will they fetch at auction?

[Spyder fan]

A lovely collection of cars, I can’t see one I wouldn’t want.

My favourite would be the ex Sellers Elan.

[baileyman]

All restored by the same shop?

John

[trw99]

Yes, Ken and mostly Neil Myers.

Tim

[ROADRUNNER]

Lovely cars for sure, though not sure the photographer has accurately caught the colour of the ‘Emma Peel’ car. I’m surprised to see no photos of either Sellers or Britt Ekland with the car used for marketing. There are a couple there I’d certainly be very tempted by, but terrible experiences with the restorer would give me pause for thought.

[pharriso]

There's a nice article (with pictures of the cars with original owners/drivers) here - https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-11602669/Incredible-classic-Lotus-Elan-collection-set-sell-auction-700k.html

Think I'd go for Ron Hickman's Sprint myself if I had to choose only one car...

[Thornts]

Wow! A stunning, beautifully curated and presented collection, the owner of which has been active on here. Can't help but wonder why he is selling; job done perhaps?
Very interesting that the non-motor racing connection cars seem most popular on here - Sellers, Hickman, Peel though of course it is the Rindt example that does it for me.
As for the likelihood of the cars' histories adding value, the whole collection could potentially be bought for the price of one 'celebrity' owned Ford Escort...
Not wishing to stoke the fires (much!), it seems the Jim Clark S1 was being marketed for £500K and Classic Cars (June 2022 issue) valued his S3 FHC at "£250K approx." so I'm with Mark, I think some top estimates will be exceeded.
Cheers
Rob
S3SE FHC
S2 7
22
111

[alan.barker]

There's a nice article (with pictures of the cars with original owners/drivers) here - https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-11602669/Incredible-classic-Lotus-Elan-collection-set-sell-auction-700k.html

Think I'd go for Ron Hickman's Sprint myself if I had to choose only one car...

Very nice car.
However for the workmate there are a few in Jersey who don't think he was the only person behind the workmate.
Alan

[Spyder fan]

There's a nice article (with pictures of the cars with original owners/drivers) here - https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-11602669/Incredible-classic-Lotus-Elan-collection-set-sell-auction-700k.html

Think I'd go for Ron Hickman's Sprint myself if I had to choose only one car...

Very nice car.
However for the workmate there are a few in Jersey who don't think he was the only person behind the workmate.
Alan

Really Alan? What do you base this on ?

I was always of the opinion that Ron was a great designer for Lotus who was also an innovative inventor, he designed many things for Lotus and could see possibilities for other aspects of his designs. Hence the wishbones for Elans became the stretchers for the workmate.

Interesting stuff…. Discuss?

[alan.barker]

For sure Ron was a great Designer and Engineer. With many new ideas.
Alan

[Spyder fan]

For sure Ron was a great Designer and Engineer. With many new ideas.
Alan

???

Sorry but what did your previous post mean?

I’m curious as to what information you have regarding the development of the Workmate and Ron Hickmans involvement and perhaps some sort of conspiracy theory that he didn’t actually design it…..

Enquiring minds are awaiting…..

[alan.barker]

No conspiracy as far as i know.
Alan

[Spyder fan]

No conspiracy as far as i know.
Alan

?? So what did you mean

Your post said

However for the workmate there are a few in Jersey who don't think he was the only person behind the workmate.
Alan

What did that mean? What information do you have?

Was it an “off the cuff” remark?

I’m just curious

[elanfan1]

Good job Ron isn’t alive as he’d sue the pants off you! He sued many companies that infringed his patents and won!
See: https://h-frame.weebly.com/craftsman-po ... enter.html. the $86500 would be worth over $250000 today.
He patented loads of stuff over the years. He kept on updating the workmate and managed to extend the royalty payments for years. Pretty sure it paid for his multimillion pound house on Jersey many times over. Had anyone else been involved 1) I’m certain Ron would have been honourable enough to share the credit and 2) there was so much money rolling in it would have paid them to sue him for a share. In short I reckon it’s bollo!