Your classic: Lotus Elan S4 SE

| 22 Apr 2025

The early ’70s were exciting times, as I left the feathered nest of my family home to study at Shenstone New College and the University of Birmingham.

I would occasionally spot a Lotus, admire its beauty and wish it were mine.

On returning home to take up a teaching post, I acquired my first wheels: a red Fiat 500.

Elaine Avison-Spiers’ Lotus Elan S4 SE is no longer her daily driver, but Club Lotus events still play a big part in the lives of her and her classic

It was fun; I double de-clutched up and down the ’box, put in three-star petrol and could clock 60mph.

During volleyball season I could cram in a full team with the roof back!

I soon outgrew the Fiat, as did my volleyball team, and I wanted something sporty.

My father had seen a Lotus Elan SE advertised locally and felt it was a good buy.

He had grown up racing his Rudge Ulster motorcycle and was not easily impressed by speed, but he bought the Lotus having been quite taken by the car’s handling, performance and style.

For my 21st birthday, he gifted the Elan to me; I called her ‘Blue Eyes’ due to the blue pop-up headlights, and she quickly became a very important part of my life.

The Lotus Elan S4 SE’s pop-up headlights inspired this car’s charming nickname

Blue Eyes was my everyday car.

It became a daily ritual to take her on a run along the promenade before approaching school, so the engine had a chance to warm up.

I parked outside my classroom window and, during lessons, pupils would offer to help put on the hood if there was any rain.

At lunch hours, they would sit in the playground, sketch the car and present me with their artwork.

Open-top motoring was a joy, and weekend visits to Abersoch in North Wales for waterskiing were heaven.

My border collie, Toby, loved standing on the centre console, wearing a matching blue headscarf to hold his ears down.

This Lotus Elan has been part of its owner’s life for 50 years

As with all old things, parts need replacing and updating.

Blue Eyes has, over the years, had a new chassis, a new hood, doughnuts replaced with solid driveshafts, Stromberg carb kits and seats reupholstered.

The brilliant team at PNM Engineering looks after the car and keeps it on the road.

These days, Blue Eyes is no longer my everyday car. Now, I use my BMW Z4. It’s low and sporty, too, but all singing, all dancing.

I slip into a comfy seat, press the start button, tell the computer where I’m going and I’m off.

The Lotus Elan’s Sprint livery was a gift from Elaine’s father and brother

In the Lotus, I carefully choreograph my way into an extremely low seat covered with a tailored sheepskin – which keeps me warm in winter and cool in summer.

I turn the key in the ignition, listen for the drop in tone from the electric pump, press the accelerator four times, declutch, start the engine, catch the revs and drop into gear – and then I’m clear for take-off.

Slip into cruise control in my BMW at 70mph, and it’s quiet and relaxing; in the Lotus you enjoy the feeling of doing 100mph at only 70mph, due to being so low down and having only four gears.

The soft-top stays up these days, else I’d arrive at my destination with hair looking like an exploded cigar.

On long trips I use earplugs.

After each outing, I check the oil level. She isn’t high-maintenance, but at a certain age loving care is essential – as we all know.

Elaine with ’Blue Eyes’, the Lotus Elan she has cherished for five decades

There are always a few surprises along the way.

Last year an event took us to Cheshire. I parked Blue Eyes as part of the Lotus display, but drama occurred when I found she had rolled back into a pillar and damaged the bumper.

Fortunately, Oakmere Lotus in Cheshire effected an excellent repair.

Peter Musgrove at PNM explained that the Elan is susceptible to its brake pads gripping when hot and shrinking when cooled, and that’s why the handbrake failed. Now I always leave the car in gear.

For 50 years, I’ve been blessed with owning a fantastic sports car that’s full of personality.

I have a wealth of lovely experiences and have made wonderful friendships with like-minded club members.

Blue Eyes and I have grown up and grown old together, in tune with one another. And we both still have performance and style!

We certainly continue to enjoy the thrilling sensation of speed. For me, that’s what the word Lotus really stands for: Lots Of Thrills, Usually Sensational.

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