The Lotus Elan Roadster made its debut in 1962 as a replacement to the beautiful but very fragile Elite. The Lotus Elan was a new fiber glass Roadster that used a brand new chassis design that would be used by Lotus for many decades to come. The Elan weighed in at 1,500 pounds and was offered with a DOHC 1557 cc engine with 4 wheel disc brakes, ack and pinion steering and four wheel disc brakes. For 1967 a 2+2 version was offered to the Elan stable and offered customers more room with similar attributes of the Elan Roadster or Coupe. Lotus announced the final iteration of the Elan at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1970. It was called the Elan Sprint and offered the highest output engine of the entire series of Elans. The Elan Sprint was rated at 126hp and was tested from a stand still to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and was said to be one of the best handling sports cars of the time. The Sprint has become one of the most desirable models of the Elan line and most sought after. Sports Car International has included the Elan Sprint in their top 10 greatest 1960's sports cars and with just 1409 made worldwide these Elans have become increasingly rare and great collectibles. This beautiful 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint Roadster is finished in Colorado Orange with a Black interior. Sold new in Southern California in 1972 to the first owner this incredibly original Elan Sprint has only had three owners since new and comes with extensive documentation, eceipts and records that date back to 1972. This matching numbers Elan Sprint is finished in its original Colorado Orange paint and shows very well for its age. There are a few areas where stress cracks have come through and a few areas that have been touched up over the years but overall the finish and quality of the paint is still in excellent condition. The interior is believed to be original minus the beautiful new wood dashboard and brand new boot and convertible top. Having been a CA from new and then to New Mexico for the past few years, his Sprint roadster benefits from dry climate and excellent storage. There is no rust to be found anywhere on the car. The chassis is excellent and free from any corrosion or rust. The engine starts right up and idles very well. The car shifts into gear with ease and accelerates beautifully. All of the hydraulics in the clutch are brand new so all of the gears are smooth and effortless with no slippage from the clutch. The rear diff seals and bearings have just been replaced as well as the rear diff mounting bushings. The rear suspension has been rebuilt and all new bushings and rear struts and housings have been done. The frront suspension has just been rebuilt including new coil over shocks, ervice wheel bearings, ll upper and lower ball joints and bushings and new tie rod ends. A new exhaust has just been put on the car. New oil pan gaskets, ew cam cover gaskets, ew plugs/wires/coil have also just been recently done. The suspension and steering feels outstanding, ery nice and tight. The ride is excellent and very solid. The engine pulls very strong and sounds great. The engine was rebuilt 2500 miles ago and is all documented with receipts. All of the electronics in the car are in operating condition including the dash lights, nterior lights, eadlights, ail lights, urn signals and brakes lights. The small rubber "donuts" un the back of car are in excellent condition and do not appear to be leaking any fluids. The car comes with its original tool roll, ack, pare tire, nock off tool, riginal US spec Acorn style knocks offs, riginal shift knob, riginal radio, wners handbook and service book with Lotus signatures and stampings from new. This car is documented by the Lotus factory as being Colorado Orange over Black and having engine number T/25112. This is a rare opportunity to own an incredibly original and exceptionally well documented 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint Roadster. These Elan Sprints are the ultimate iteration of Britains famous sports car and rare to find one that is so complete with such great patina and history.
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