A pair of first-generation Lotus Elan project cars with roots tracing back more than four decades are searching for a new owner as part of a no-reserve estate sale in California.
The collection includes two 1967 Lotus Elan S3 roadsters finished in British Racing Green, along with an extensive assortment of spare parts and a sought-after Spydercars tubular replacement chassis. The unfinished restoration project originated during the late owner’s efforts in the 1970s and 1980s to revive the lightweight British sports cars, though the work was never completed.
Now offered together out of Spring Valley, California, the two cars represent both a restoration opportunity and a glimpse into the legacy of one of the most influential sports cars ever built.
The primary vehicle, identified as chassis 45/6247, has been fully dismantled. Its fiberglass body shell has been separated from the backbone chassis, while the original 1.6-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual transmission have been removed and included separately. The engine itself sits partially disassembled on a stand.
Despite the car’s condition, many original details remain intact, including retractable headlights, oval taillights, Smiths instrumentation and the split-spoke steering wheel. The odometer displays 25,000 miles. The car was acquired by the late owner in 1981 and is accompanied by an Idaho title.
The second Elan, chassis 45/6291, serves primarily as a parts donor but still retains several important components, including its engine block, transmission and rear axle. The fiberglass bodywork shows significant damage, and portions of the interior are missing, including the dashboard and instrumentation. The wood-rimmed steering wheel is also broken. This car was reportedly purchased in 1976 and is offered with a bill of sale and a Virginia title from a prior owner.
A major highlight of the package is the inclusion of a Spydercars tubular replacement chassis purchased during the 1980s. Finished in red and fitted with a steering rack and partial suspension components, the chassis is considered a desirable upgrade among Lotus enthusiasts due to its improved rigidity and corrosion resistance compared to the factory backbone frame.
Additional items included in the sale range from Minilite alloy wheels and steel wheels mounted with various tires to numerous spare and removed components collected over decades.
The Lotus Elan itself remains one of the most celebrated British sports cars of the 1960s. Developed under Lotus founder Colin Chapman, the Elan introduced a lightweight backbone chassis and fiberglass body structure that helped deliver exceptional handling characteristics while keeping production costs relatively low.
Powered by a Ford-based twin-cam engine with an aluminum dual-overhead-cam cylinder head, the Elan quickly developed a reputation for agile performance and precise steering feel. Its innovative engineering would later influence several future Lotus models, including the Europa and Esprit.
The Elan also became a cultural icon, gaining widespread recognition through appearances in popular television and motorsport. Racing variants such as the lightweight Type 26R achieved considerable success on track, competing against larger and more powerful sports cars of the era.
Perhaps the Elan’s greatest legacy came decades later when Mazda engineers studied the lightweight British roadster while developing the MX-5 Miata. The result became the best-selling sports car in history and cemented the Elan’s reputation as one of the most influential roadsters ever created.
For collectors and enthusiasts willing to take on a long-dormant restoration, the paired project cars offer both historical significance and the opportunity to revive a pair of iconic Lotus machines that have spent decades waiting for a return to the road.
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