This 1964 Lotus Elan (chassis US64260247) is said to have driven less than 4,000 miles since a meticulous frame-off restoration in 2003, for a total of 72,543 original miles. Early Elans, as noted by the seller, are the purest form of the model, with frameless side glass and elegant, round taillights in place of later car’s rectangular items. Find it here on LotusElan.net near Asheville, NorthCarolina for $30k flat.

We love the classic red over black combination this car wears, though there is no mention if it remains true to what it originally wore. The interior in particular is just fantastic, with its all-business, no-nonsense layout offset perfectly with a lovely, warm veneer dash. The elegant, thin-rimmed, wood-spoked wheel is key to commanding perhaps the best steering rack ever fitted to a car-Gordon Murray having personally cited the fact that he was unable to replicate its ethereal feel, delicacy, and accuracy in the McLaren F1 as the project’s biggest disappointment. Being a Chapman-era Lotus, the Elan’s ride/handling balance is pure magic, too.

Underneath the no-tools-required, almost-instantly removable bonnet (thanks to a clever spring-loaded hinge) lies a nicely detailed Lotus twincam four. Displacing 1,557 CC, these early twin Weber engines delivered roughly 108 HP through a slick-shifting, close-ratio four-speed, which in partnership with a curb weight of barely more than 1,400 pounds enabled the little roadsters to hit 60 MPH in 7 seconds flat. The seller doesn’t say if the motor and trans were rebuilt at the time of restoration, but with so few miles it’s likely not an issue provided it’s been treated sympathetically-they’re both known to be pretty robust.

This car’s had the infamous Rotoflex driveshaft couplings replaced with RD enterprises CV joints and axles-a nice upgrade that should greatly extend the life of these components compared to the notoriously short-lived rubber “donuts” fitted originally. Another nice durability upgrade are Spyder Engineering sill members, while a roll bar from the same company is included but not installed. We feel like we should take a moment here to mention the gorgeous rear end of this car-the interplay between model script, aforementioned round tails, and long, thin center-mounted exhaust exit is pure perfection.

It’s a pretty car, no doubt about it, but an Elan’s true charm is in the driving experience. We hope that whoever ends up with this one drives it hard, drives it well, and continues to cherish it the way it’s clearly been cherished for at least the past ten years since restoration.