Vehicle Details
- Year: 1966
- Make: Lotus
- Model: Elan S3
- VIN: 365520
- Mileage Shown: 52,355mi (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Yellow
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: San Mateo, CA 94403
- Lot #: V-0037145
A lightweight two-seater sports car designed by Ron Hickman, the Lotus Elan was the brand’s first road-going model to use a steel backbone chassis with fiberglass bodywork and features a Ford-derived powertrain as well as four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension. This 1966 example is an Elan S3 Coupe finished in yellow over a black vinyl interior and equipped with a 1.6-liter inline-four engine with dual overhead camshafts, Weber carburetors, and a 4-speed manual transmission. This classic British sports car was acquired by the seller just over a year ago and is now being offered for auction out of California.
The fiberglass fixed-roof bodywork of this Lotus Elan S3 is finished in yellow and has been customized with an S4-style hood bulge, body-color bumpers, and a Vitaloni driver’s side mirror. Other equipment includes a center-mounted tailpipe, pop-up headlamps, a polished fuel cap, and chrome brightwork for the window surrounds, door handles, badging, and trunk lid hinges. It rides on 13” alloy wheels which are fastened with three-earned knockoffs and dressed in Kumho Solus TA11 tires. The seller describes the paint to be in good overall condition while noting some cosmetic damage present on the driver’s side rear bumper. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin is appointed with black vinyl upholstery complemented by matching carpets and a woodgrain dashboard fascia. Accessories include a pair of bucket seats with safety harnesses, a roll bar with integrated headrests, a three-spoke MOMO steering wheel, a wooden gear knob, a fire extinguisher, Smiths instrumentation, power windows, and a padded center armrest. The seller notes some separation of the driver’s side door panel.
Based on the Ford Kent Pre-Crossflow engine, this Elan is equipped with a 1.6-liter "Lotus TwinCam" inline-four featuring dual overhead camshafts, dual Weber carburetors, and an output of up to 105 HP and 108 lb.-ft of torque. The rear wheels are driven through a 4-speed manual transmission and the chassis features four-wheel independent suspension as well as disc brakes at each corner. The seller indicates a new brake master cylinder and battery were installed during their ownership and reports that the parking brake may not be working properly.
This sale will include a spare tire and a clean title.
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $16,750
- Auction End: Dec 13, 2023 08:38:12PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 13
Comments (27)
seller clearly has stuff to hide, I am glad it didn't sell. Hope he never sells it
The seller has made this one of the oddest auctions of the year.
Bid in the amount of $16,750
Bid in the amount of $15,500
Bid in the amount of $15,250
Bid in the amount of $13,250
Bid in the amount of $13,000
Bid in the amount of $11,500
Bid in the amount of $11,250
Seller is on vacation, it seems
Bid in the amount of $10,000
@chewy08753 nothing has been deleted
Were comments deleted or has the seller not answered any of these questions
@noashuval hi
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Bid in the amount of $4,750
Bid in the amount of $4,500
Nice car, wondering about previous damage.
Can you include some front inside fender photos, and if you know why the engine bay bonnet(?) was changed?
Maybe this will explain the door?
If you could get the car up on a lift & take good close up pictures of the chassis , transmission, engine, rear cv axles, that would help.
Also a driving video would be nice.
Bid in the amount of $4,000
@noashuval how was your buying experience with BHCC? I remember seeing this there. Cool little car. Also, can you explain what you're showing with the exposed fiberglass thats on the door and the marking on the door. Is it an alignment issue that has rubbed to that point?
Looks like it has a Spyder frame which is stronger than the original one. The roll bar is also a good one because it provides some side impact protection though its quite low. Reminder to those who dont know, these are (Fiberglass) Body on frame cars so that roll bar is tied into the metal frame in those locations. Looks like this one is ready to rock at that race track in addition to the backroads...
Nice! I love the coupes. The body matched bumpers look nice also!!
I have a NICE LOTUS sign.... in auction here (P-Car)... that would look great with this Elan!!!!!
Sincerely, Dan A
@needanothercar beats me
@VTBlue just to many projects
You've owned this for a year, why are you selling?
In Photo 79, the roll bar seems to be a footrest for the clutch and brake. Does it cause any problem shifting? Also, under the dash, there appears to be a mess of wires? Any organization or just add or delete a wire?