Barn Find - 1967 Lotus Elan S3 SS

[SpeedModel]

This 1967 S3 ?lan Super Safety convertible has been in storage since 1978 when the 2nd owner parked it temporarily to perform a clutch service. He bought a new clutch disc and removed the engine to install the disc. That was the beginning of a 37 year slumber.

I have photographed the car today "as found". It is filthy. However, it is also remarkably original and unmolested. This is an ideal candidate for a sympathetic "survivor" restoration.

**************** SOLD **************

[tedtaylor]

is the MGTD in background also available?

[SpeedModel]

It's a 1950 and a very low chassis number, 0036 from memory. I haven't looked at very closely yet except that it appears to also have the factory original paint. The seats are buckets rather than the standard bench seats I have seen in other MGTD's.

That car is still held by the estate executor and I am fairly certain that it will be for sale soon too. I will ask.

[nigelrbfurness]

Is that steering wheel and dashboard correct? Did the SS model have the rocker switches instead of the earlier Lucas type? And the steering wheel looks like a late S4/Sprint example to me but I'd like to be corrcted.

Nigel F.

[trw99]

Nigel the SS had a variety of S4 as well as S3 features, all a bit of a mish-mash!

Here is something what I wrote, Eric, a while ago on the SS:

The Elan S3 Super Safety models were introduced into the North American market to overcome the safety legislation that was sweeping through the automotive industry there at the time. As with most things Lotus, there are no hard and fast facts about when which cars were fitted with what, but in general SS Elans had the following features: Super Safety badge on flank of front wing; dash with rocker switches and gauges recessed in counter bored holes so that the outer rim was flush with the dash; heater and choke control knobs larger and flatter than earlier cars and located where the earlier bonnet release cables were; bonnet release cable located under the dash edge, same as S4; door interior handles similar to normal S3, except shortened and the handle hung out from the recessed centre of the door; door pulls replaced with pivoting plastic ones from MGB; seats low back, with the centres in perforated material like all later seats, but tracks retained to the floor; Weber heads but bulged bonnet like the S4 Stromberg; reflectors located at all four corners; bolt-on wheels or turned in three eared knock-ons; "brake fail" light on the dash ; collapsible steering column. SS Elans were made predominantly for the Federal marketplace, though some were sold in the UK too with slightly different specs, from mid/late 1967 until July 1968. I have seen figures of around 300 or up to 445 units made. The Parts List gives VINs 7400 to 7894 as SS versions, though we know that some earlier cars, such as 7279 had SS features.

Tim

[Elan45]

And don't forget the tandem brake master cylinder and dual circuit brakes, I don't see the bubble bonnet on this car that I've seen on all other Super Safety models. Looks like a neat car. Hope it can stay in Ohio.

Roger

[seniorchristo]

My 1967 Elan SE SS, #457495, is nearly identical to this car. It is red and has the SS features mentioned but also has the flat bonnet as shown on this car. I don't think all SS Cars had bulged bonnets.

Chris

[seniorchristo]

Correction - my chassis is number - 457594

[Famous Frank]

Nice project. !!! Good buy.

[stevebroad]

Geez, those photos bring back memories. Here's my Elan S3 SE, after 19 years in damp storage just before I pulled it out.