Superbly restored, matching number, late-production genuine SprintStriking in the rarely seen Sprint livery of Tawny Metallic over Cirrus WhiteThe 1558cc twin cam has been overhauled and balanced.Unleaded headFitted with analternator and deep core radiator otherwise factory originalComprehensive service historyfrom newand MOTs from 1976Original handbook, numerous invoices, old tax discs and photographsThe 1971 Elan Sprint was essentially based on the Series 4 Elan bodyshell and was primarily designed to rekindle demand and improve the performance of the nine-year-old sports car. Conceived by Lotus Sales Director, Graham Arnold, the Sprint's most notable feature was the horizontally-split two-tone paintwork echoing the livery of the Gold Leaf Team Lotus Formula 1 cars. Meanwhile providing the 'go, to match the show' a new big-valve cylinder head with high-lift cams and a raised compression ratio, the work of Engineering Director Tony Rudd, provided a 25% increase in power to 126bhp. The drivetrain was suitably toughened and braced and the front callipers were redesigned to cope with the increased performance.The car presented here is a genuine home-market FHC Sprint model that was first registered in 1972 and is particularly striking in the more rarely seen Sprint livery of Tawny Metallic over Cirrus White. Supplied new by Lotus dealer J A Else & Son, it's one of the last registered Elan Sprints and has been confirmed by Lotus as the 59th from last Sprint ever built. It's simply beautiful with correct matching numbers and has been lovingly and meticulously restored whichincluded a new genuine galvanised Lotus chassis. Thebodywork was taken back to the gel coat and great attention was given to achieving perfect panel alignment, particularly the doors, before it was superbly repaintedin its original colours. In 2015, the engine was overhauled and balanced andthe cylinder head was converted to run on unleaded petrol. With a few notable exceptions such as an upgrade to an alternator and a deep core radiator, the Elan retains its factory originality and is possibly one of the finest examples on the market today. It's supplied with a fantastic service history dating back to the Elans first free service back in September 1973 when the car had done 564 miles and there are30 older MOT Certificates including the very first one fromMarch 1976. The comprehensive history file contains the original handbook, numerous invoices, old tax discs and photographs.There is no doubt that DRA 571Lhas received more than its share of care and attention and continues to look crisp and fresh. We understand that it's as agile and eager as a Sprintshould be and imagine that Mr Chapman, whose signature is etched into the steering wheel, would be proud that his inspired creation is as desirable now as the day it rolled out of Hethel all those years ago.