1970 | Lotus Elan S4

Weightless around bends – the 1970 Lotus Elan S4 Sprint

The Lotus Elan S4, introduced in 1970, represents a milestone in car manufacturing and embodies Colin Chapman’s famous philosophy: “simplify, then add lightness”. With its minimalistic design, innovative technology and dynamic handling, the Elan set standards for sports cars that are still admired even decades later.

The compact fibreglass body sits on a lightweight steel frame, which reduces the total weight of the vehicle to a mere 680 kg. The centrepiece is Lotus’ famous 1.6-litre twin cam engine. One of the Lotus Elan’s outstanding features is its handling. The precise rack and pinion steering and the independent suspension on all four wheels offer near-on perfect feedback. The Elan S4 was and is one of the most agile sports cars of all time and can waltz around bends with playful ease.

The Lotus Elan not only had an influence on the brand itself, it inspired other manufacturers as well. Mazda, in particular, took cues from the Elan when developing the MX-5 (Miata). The Elan is considered the forefather of the modern lightweight sports car and has a loyal fan club that reveres the model to this day.

Our auction vehicle had two British previous owners before it was imported in 2011. The well-known Lotus guru Paul Matty galvanised the chassis using the hot-dip method, allowing subsequent owners to deploy the vehicle in various French championships.

With 10,000 kilometres notched up, the engine and the entire mechanical system were restored by “Tony Thompson” at a cost of £14,564.00. (Receipt and customs confirmation are available). The vehicle also comes with a hardtop. The last MFK (Swiss MOT) was carried out on 16 May 2024. This Lotus comes to life thanks to its lightweight, dynamic and aesthetic design and inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike to this day.