Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I just saw this auction listing (Gooding) for a 69 S4 SE DHC. Seems quite high. They could be influenced by their prior sale of a relatively rare, very low mileage (6K), one owner, original North American 1973 Sprint FHC (most were DHC) that went at $88K last year. Be interesting to see what this car makes. No information or details on the car yet. It has clearly been repainted, no lower sill black paint.

A seemingly similar car went for $31K in Monterey this year (Mecum).

It's on with no reserve so someone is taking a bit of a risk, hoping that the no reserve stimulates bidders. Not something I would risk.

Detail posting is at http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1969-lotus-elan-se/:

This outstanding example is the product of a painstaking, well-documented restoration with select upgrades from Dave Bean Engineering for enhanced safety and reliability. The work was performed in 2014-2015 under the watchful eye and skilled hands of premier Elan expert Brian Buckland. The engine was rebuilt by Duffee Motorsports and the cylinder head and carburetors were rebuilt by James Unsworth. The consignor, who acquired the Elan in 1972, has enjoyed, maintained, and restored it as a true labor of love. Accordingly, he has amassed an exceptional file of documentation that includes service invoices from 1972-2006 as well as restoration records and photos. He reports that the Lotus has been driven just 600 miles since restoration. Handsome in its factory-original livery, the car?s impressive presentation resulted in the Best Elan Award at the 2014 Annual Lotus Owners Gathering. Offered from long-term ownership and restored to an extraordinary standard, this splendid Elan SE stands as a most fitting exemplar of the rich Lotus heritage.

It'll be interesting to see what they get for it, but I would be surprised if it goes over $50k. Anyone see the car at LOG & can comment on it's condition?

Specifically, it was the Asheville LOG and it would have won the Popular Vote class. I was there,
unfortunately, I don't remember it.

No. Not yet.

This week's UK finance numbers indicate that we are at the top of a slope of another financial recession. Despite all the puff from our politicians, the hedge-fund folks who really know are shuffling their feet suggesting that we put our money into pork-belly and frozen orange juice futures.

This is good news to the majority of people on this forum, who bought their crappy old plastic cars to enjoy, rather than as an investment. I'm so glad that I no longer own any Frerrari 250GTO and SWBs.

http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1969-lotus-elan-se/

This car just sold for $55K at the Gooding Scottsdale auction. Actually one of the less expensive offerings that ranged up to many millions.

It is a clean example S4 but still has the Strombergs, obviously repainted (no black sill strip), a number of other nits.

Seems a strong price but I am not complaining nor in the market to sell my 69.

I'm really disgusted by how old cars have so much become a rich man's game.

Compared to small French sports cars such as the Renault Alpine 110, the Elan is still quite cheap. I remember a time when they were both worth about the same. Even E-types were not much more expensive.. once
What puzzles me is why the cost of spares have risen at the same speed as the cars, given a lot of these parts are 'new' their manufacturing costs should not have rises that much??