How We Brought a Destroyed Lotus Elan Back to Life

Colin
By Colin Wood
May 4, 2021 | Lotus, Elan

When we got a tip about a rare Series 1 Lotus Elan (only about 900 are said to have been built) that was available and in need of restoration, we knew we had to check it out.

What we found, however, was a battered car rotting in a Michigan field for almost 40 years. An accident that all but destroyed the back half of the car didn’t make matters better.

For most people, the story would probably stop there and instead focus on a different, more easily savable car. However, we aren’t most people.

We dubbed the project "Restoration Impossible," and got to work.

In the end, we were able to save this rare Elan from becoming scrap. And, above all, we proved that no matter how neglected or beat-up, virtually any car can be saved if you put in the time and effort.

Read the full story of our 1964 Series 1 Lotus Elan project car over on Classic Motorsports now:

 

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