1973 LOTUS ELAN

This 1973 Lotus Elan Sprint is currently in a 2-week auction on our website. This is our guide price, i.e. what we think the car is worth in the current market, however, the reserve will be lower. You can read much more about the car, see of hundreds of detailed photos and videos of it, and ask the seller any questions on our website: we can't add links on this platform, so please search for "Trade Classics" on Google.

⭕ VEHICLE SUMMARY

Compact, lightweight, and beautifully balanced, the original Lotus Elan remains one of the defining British sports cars of its generation.

This example was built in February 1973 and is understood to have been among the final 15 Drop Head Coupé versions of the 1,353 Sprints produced. It presents in its correct yellow and white Sprint colour scheme, complemented by the dark-gold side stripes, colour-coded bumpers, black steel wheels and three-eared spinners.

Its ownership history is particularly notable. The first owner kept the Elan for only a matter of months before it passed to its second owner, Nigel, in November 1973. Nigel retained it for approximately 51½ years, during which time it was comprehensively restored by respected Lotus specialist Peter Day of Daytune.

Alison and her husband Al acquired the car in June 2025, making them only its third custodians. A dreadful change in circumstances soon after purchase prevented the Elan from being used as intended, and it is now being offered for sale so that another enthusiast can properly enjoy and care for it.

⭕ VEHICLE DETAIL

We've written a longer and more detailed description of this vehicle on our website, which will answer all of your burning questions. To see the car on our site then just search for us, Trade Classics, on Google.

⭕ BEFORE YOU CALL US

We love to talk about cars, but more than 90% of buyers' questions are answered in the full listings on our website: there you'll find a huge amount of detailed information about this car's history, condition, and specification - as well as hundreds of detailed photos and videos. Don't worry: if you still have a question, please just give us a call during office hours.

⭕ ABOUT US

Trade Classics is the most trusted auction house in the UK, with 4.9* on TrustPilot and thousands of happy buyers and sellers. Our mission is to provide the most honest and transparent listings available. By helping you avoid scammers, timewasters, and expensive platform fees, we make the process of buying and selling a car as pleasurable as driving it.

⭕ FINANCE AVAILABLE

Trade Classics Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of AFS Compliance Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm number 625035. Trade Classics Limited is a vehicle sales business with permission to introduce prospective finance clients to Revered Finance Limited who is also an AR of AFS Compliance Ltd and an independent asset finance brokerage not a lender. We are not independent financial advisors and are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. Trade Classics Limited and Revered Finance Limited will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary commission models. Commission payments are factored into the interest rate you pay.