1965 Lotus Elan S2 SOLD

[Certified Lotus]

I bought this 1965 Lotus Elan S2 as it is an unmolested true survivor. The serial number of US65 26/4055 was invoiced by the factory in November 1964 and subsequently shipped to the US for sale as a 1965 model year Elan S2.

The original engine block, LP2437 was replaced early in the Elan?s life (with the first owner) and now has LP5908 coming from an Elan built at the end of 1966. The Lotus Twin Cam weber head has the serial number 2437 stamped on it so it is the original head that came with the car when new. One other modification was done early in the car?s life, a small steel cylinder was installed forward of the radiator (mounted in the nose of the car) as the first owner said he would lose the headlights on long downhill drives due to lack of vacuum to keep the lights upright and this was his solution.

The second owner of this Elan was Will Burnham, a long time Lotus enthusiast and co-founder of Lotus Owners of New York. Will bought the car in 1990 and was going through a mechanical and paint restoration in the fall of 1992 when he passed away. The restoration was completed by Will?s good friend Tony Vaccaro (President of Lotus LTD) and the Elan stayed in the Burnham family for 22 years. It was then offered to Tony and he acquired it to add to his collection of Lotus cars. Tony had well known Lotus mechanic Craig Chima go through the Elan?s mechanicals in early 2018 as it had been sitting in a garage for a long time and needed attention. Craig flushed the cooling system, had the radiator cleaned and pressure tested, replaced the hoses from the radiator, rebuilt the calipers and replaced all the hydraulic fluids, replaced the engine oil and transmission fluid, removed the gas tank and had it flushed and reinstalled, repaired the wiper motor, replaced most of the interior carpet, replaced the center console and got all the electronics working. All four tires have been replaced with new ones and balanced on the OEM steel wheels.

Since I have had the Elan, I removed the differential and replaced the front seal (it was leaking) as well as torqueing the pinion nut to spec and sealing the threads, reinstalled the exhaust system (it was leaking and I installed the missing the important transmission bracket that keeps the exhaust system from moving around), had the Weber 40 DCOE carbs rebuilt and restored by Pierce Manifolds, installed the correct bonnet adjustment screws, new period correct chrome wiper blades, replaced the fuel pump and relocated a new glass fuel filter to the trunk where you could see it (not underneath the weber carbs where you can?t), replaced the air filter, installed period correct seat belts, acquired an original tonneau cover, repaired the loose trim on the cantrails, replaced the windshield wiper switch button with correct type, adjusted the parking brake (it actually works!) and generally went over all the details of this Elan.

This Elan S2 is in remarkable condition with the understanding it is a 53 year old car with 74,152 miles. The paint has small chips in a couple of areas, the chassis (which is in good condition) has the typical areas of bent metal where it was jacked up without a wood block being used and the front chassis box (which is typically a vacuum chamber for the light pods) has a small tear in the metal. The windshield has slight wiper blade scratches on the passenger side. The valve cover has a breather vent professionally welded on the front of it with wire mesh inside of it.

This Elan runs well and the engine has good torque. It handles as you would expect from an Elan, smooth and effortless. It has a nice soft top with all the correct parts of cant rails and cross bars. The interior is factory grey seats and door cards. The dash was replaced during the 1992 restoration with a burled pattern made by Madera Concepts (a high quality automotive woodwork shop). It is now ready for a new owner who appreciates the history and patina of an historic Lotus Elan S2 that is ready for those weekend drives along country roads.

Price: $38,500

[Certified Lotus]

More Photos:

[Certified Lotus]

additional photos:

[Certified Lotus]

As a comparison, here is the 1965 Elan S2 that is for sale next to my 1964 Elan S1 (that is not for sale). The S1 recently won first place at the National Lotus Owners Gathering (LOG38) for Elan S1/S2 category. You can see that both cars are in very good condition.

The Elan on the left is the S2 that is for sale

The Elan on the right is the S2 for sale

[DrinkMan]

Glen,

Great car! I wish I had room for it. One question (based on a problem we face with our '66 S2 that frustrates us): Does the parking/hand brake work? If so, how about coming south and fixing mine! (I'll buy beer - craft only)

Dan

[tvacc]

I know this car very well. It is a very nice original Elan. With Glen's permission I would be happy to verify and or answer any questions about this Lotus.
I only sold it because I bought an Elan GTS and I also have another 1971 Elan with a complete Spyder conversion. I also have a few other Lotus cars. I am out of room. That simple.

[Certified Lotus]

Dan, there are a couple of various adjustment points for the handbrake, but the most important is to have a handbrake cable that isn?t stretched. Replacing it on a lift is easy, under jack stands not so much. Also need to make sure the hand brake brake pads and rotor aren?t worn down as this will just create additional problems of poor holding ability. Then you have the clamping lever and the pivot pin as well as the handbrake rods. Everything needs to be adjusted. I?ve now ?fixed? three Elan handbrakes. Guess I?m an expert If I lived in Atlanta I would gladly come over and help you for a beer (or two).

By the way, I think you need his and her BRG Elan?s. See how nice they look in the last two photos......you will certainly attract a lot of attention at car events

Tony, as you know the car as best as anyone your certainly welcome to comment appropriately about the history.

[Certified Lotus]

I have a period correct radio for the Elan which will come with the car (but not installed).

[Frogelan]

Glen

Thank you for the photos. As 4055 is unmolested, please take lots of other photos. They are very useful reference points. Special requests especially for the doors, dash underbonnet etc.

I'm trying to rebuild 4022 (imported via Dutchess, now in France) from a really poor base...and all info is very appreciated!

Thanks

Andrew

[tvacc]

This Lotus Elan is the car that is primarily responsible for my Lotus Life. I wrote a article about it a few years ago. Take a look at it. It is the best thing I have written.

http://lotusowners.com/reMarqueNov_Dec11_p22-3.pdf

[tedtaylor]

Hey Glen, why don't you put this on Bring-a-Trailer? I bet you'll get more than your $38,500 asking price here!

[Certified Lotus]

Agreed Ted, but I wanted to make this available to the Elan community first. I?m patient, nice having two BRG early Elan?s

[pharriso]

This Lotus Elan is the car that is primarily responsible for my Lotus Life. I wrote a article about it a few years ago. Take a look at it. It is the best thing I have written.

http://lotusowners.com/reMarqueNov_Dec11_p22-3.pdf

Tony, that's a cute story!

[tedtaylor]

Happy New Year bump....

[Certified Lotus]

Thanks Ted! Just replaced the points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap and coil as well as shortened the spark plug wires appropriately. Adjusted the timing. Purrs like a kitten.