1968 Lotus Elan 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 2 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 3 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 4 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 5 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 6 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 7 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 8 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 9 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 10 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 11 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 12 1968 Lotus Elan - photo 13

Vehicle Description

1968 Lotus Elan SE finished in classic British Racing Green over a black interior. Featuring a recently rebuilt Twin-Cam engine with dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors and a new exhaust, the car runs and sounds fantastic, delivering noticeably more performance than its Stromberg-equipped counterparts. The engine rebuild includes a new front cover with an upgraded cassette-style water pump, refreshed head with relapped valves and proper adjustment, a new timing chain, and new mounts. Additional upgrades include a gear reduction starter, a new alternator, rebuilt Koni shocks, and completely refreshed suspension with all new bushings.

**More images available at: www.forestmotorcollective.com**YouTube driving video:https://youtu.be/jhYtAV9gd9A?si=cEeNaTD0tLCtNUDq

Mechanically, the car has been carefully maintained and improved with a new wiring harness, updated cooling system (including flushed radiator, new heater motor, and clean heater core), rebuilt Weber carbs, and new front brake calipers with rebuilt rears. Updated CV-joint rear axles further improve drivability and reliability. The gearbox is crisp and tight, with no issues engaging gears and no pop-out. The car holds good oil pressure, and delivers strong, responsive performance —exactly as expected from a well-setup Elan.

Cosmetically, the car presents as a very usable and honest driver. The paint is driver quality, showing gloss and depth but also numerous chips and scratches across all body panels. Most blemishes have been touched up, but they remain visible and contribute to the car’s character as a car that has been enjoyed, not stored away. The glass is in good condition, with new windscreen rubber and all new door rubber. The soft top, while fully functional, shows minor separation at the rear plastic window. A tonneau cover and full-size spare wheel are included.

Inside, the Elan has been treated to new seat kits, foam, and carpets, as well as a new old stock wood dashboard with refurbished Smiths instruments. The driver’s side door panel shows some age and blemishes, while the passenger side is in better condition. The cabin presents well overall, combining vintage charm with functional improvements like sound-deadening insulation.

This is a Lotus that has been thoughtfully upgraded and maintained, offering a genuine and enjoyable driving experience without pretense. It’s not a concours restoration, but a car that has been fully sorted mechanically and enjoyed with care. Ideal for the enthusiast who values performance and honesty over perfection, this 1968 Elan SE is ready to be driven, admired, and appreciated for exactly what it is: one of the finest expressions of analog sports car design.

Extensive receipts for parts and documentation of work is available, and provided with the car.

Mechanical Overview:Low miles on recent engine rebuild

New engine front cover with upgraded cassette-style water pump

Dual Weber 40 DCOE carbs, rebuilt and tuned

New exhaust system

Upgraded CV-joint rear axles

Rebuilt Koni shocks

New timing chain, guides, and tensioners

New gear reduction starter & alternator

New engine mounts

New Alternator

Refreshed cylinder head with relapped valves and proper adjustment

Cooling system refreshed: clean radiator, heater core, and new heater motor

All new suspension bushings

New front calipers and rebuilt rear brakes

New complete wiring harness

Tight-shifting gearbox with no grinding or pop-out

New Tires

New Braille battery and mount

New front brake calipers

Rebuilt rear calipers

New seals in differential