LOT 341

1969 Lotus Elan S4 Competition Coupé Registration no. HHW 51G Chassis no. C144GLC Engine no. LP12839LBA

Estimate: £20,000 - £30,000

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Lot 341

1969 Lotus Elan S4 Competition Coupé

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|17 September 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1969 Lotus Elan S4 Competition Coupé
Registration no. HHW 51G
Chassis no. C144GLC
Engine no. LP12839LBA

• Successful Road Sports Championship competitor during the 1990s
• Race prepared
• Present ownership since 2010
• Little used since acquisition

Footnotes

An Elite-type glassfibre monocoque having proved insufficiently rigid when applied to an open car, Lotus boss Colin Chapman came up with a simple but effective steel backbone frame for the company's new Elan sports car. So successful was this chassis design that it still forms the basis of today's Lotus cars. Suspension was all independent with unequal-length wishbones at the front, while a wide-based lower wishbone and modified Chapman Strut, as used in Lotus's Grand Prix cars, was employed at the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering was sourced from the Triumph Vitesse, and there were Girling disc brakes all round. The Elan's engine was a highly-modified 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) Ford Cortina unit topped with Lotus's own twin-camshaft cylinder head, and both gearbox and differential came also from Ford. As development progressed the Elan became more civilised, the final Series 4 - introduced in March 1968 - benefiting from dashboard fresh-air vents and improved interior trim and fittings. The bodyshell was slightly thinner - and lighter - than the S3's and featured flared wheelarches accommodating wider wheels, side repeaters and larger Plus 2-style rear lights. Adequately powerful, light in weight and endowed with exceptional roadholding and handling, the Elan proved an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 being produced by the time production ceased in 1973. Even today there are few more rewarding driver's cars around.

We are advised that this particular Elan S4 was raced successfully in the Road Sports Championship during the 1990s by Mike Freeman and Jeremy Bradburn. There is a large history file with the car containing details of its modifications, which include a race-prepared engine and suspension, roll cage, fire extinguishing system, etc. The current vendor purchased 'HHW 51G' at Bonhams' Silverstone auction in July 2010 (Lot 145), since when it has seen relatively little use. In the vendors ownership the car's engine has been dismantled and rebuilt by respected Lotus specialist Ian Symms including conversion to unleaded petrol, covering less than 2,000 miles since the rebuild. Other new parts include the fuel tank, exhaust system, wiring loom, uprated alternator and the addition of a brake servo. Finished in blue with silver roof and black interior, the Elan is described as in good condition throughout and offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Obligations
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If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price;
26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20,000 up to and including £700,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Collection Notices
As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Goodwood will be closed on Monday 19 September, a Bank Holiday, for the State Funeral.
Collection of Motor Cars will be postponed to Tuesday 20 September from 0900 until 1200, after which any uncollected Lots will be removed to store at Buyer / Vendor expense, as the case may be.
Automobilia Lots will be removed on the evening of Sunday 18 September.
It will not be possible to collect Motor Car Lots until Tuesday 20 September.
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For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
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Please Note the Automobilia department do not ship out purchased lots, please contact them to be advised of recommended shippers.
All lots not collected at the sale will be charged an Uplift fee as the lots are taken back to storage in Guildford.
All lots marks with 3 diamonds that remain uncollected after the sale are taken to a storage facility in Guildford, separate to the Bonhams Guildford office.
Lot Symbols
•
EXEMPT FROM VAT
Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.
IMPORT LOW RATE
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
AR
ARTISTS RESALE RIGHT
Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.
N
NOVA DECLARATION
MOTORCYCLES If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.CARSIf purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.
Ω
IMPORT HIGH RATE
VAT on imported items at the prevailing rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.
AUTOMOBILIA
All lots will be charged £10 + VAT Uplift and storage at £1 + VAT per day per lot.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£25 + VAT uplift and storage at £5 + VAT per lot per day.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£50 + VAT uplift and storage at £10 + VAT per lot per day
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SPECIALIST SHIPPING AND STORAGE
All lots marked with 3 diamonds will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely heavy or large items, they will be removed by Autofreight Ltd, who provide independent uplift and storage services for larger lots. There are charges for this service and for storage in their warehouse in Guildford, Surrey, at the buyers expense.
Please contact John Wood, Autofreight Ltd, by phone 01483 222256, or email [email protected] for further information, details of costs and charges or to arrange collection from GU3 3HD.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at Buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
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