Entire corners of the internet have become dedicated to the phenomenon of the barn find. And no one can blame daydreaming automotive enthusiasts for hoping that they'll one day discover the car of their dreams, which will undoubtedly be worth millions after only a short restoration. Unfortunately, as we all know in reality, most barn finds end up in the junkyard because true restorations almost always cost more while requiring more blood, sweat, and tears than initially imagined. But the dream persists, which could help this extremely rare-spec 1973 Lotus Elan reach some pretty high bids when it hits auction courtesy of H and H Auctioneers UK at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on May 26, 2021.

John Player Special Exterior

Lotus Elan Barn Find 2
via H and H Auctioneers UK

The exterior looks rough, in quintessential barn find form, though the black-and-gold paint job hearkens back to the John Player Special era of Formula 1, when the tobacco company's iconic livery graced the bodies of the world's premier sports cars. In an included photo on the listing, a parking ticket placed under the windshield wiper at 10:06 AM on September 5, 2001, marks the beginning of 20 years of storage—presumably, the owner didn't want to pay that fine.

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The Big-Valve Engine And Five-Speed Transmission

Lotus Elan Barn Find 3
via H and H Auctioneers UK

The car's paintjob isn't the only rarity lending potential value to this Elan, however. In addition the +2 designation that allows for two (extra-small) additional passengers, this Elan also left the factory with the later-year Big Valve engine that produced a claimed output of 126 horsepower in a car that weighs sub-2,000 pounds. Throw in the five-speed trans for better highway cruising, and the Elan +2S 130/5 was reportedly capable of a 7.9-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 120 miles per hour when new.

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Some Work Required For The Winning Bidder

Lotus Elan Barn Find 4
via H and H Auctioneers UK

H and H claims this Elan is one of only 115 examples produced to celebrate Lotus' 50th Grand Prix win, with the twin-cam inline-four still retaining Weber carbs. The "oatmeal" interior is complemented by burr walnut trim, electric windows, quartz halogen fog lights, and even an FM radio. Some corrosion and rust shows immediately below the layers of grit and grime, but hopefully, the happy new owner of this barn find can get the car back in running condition without investing too much time and money.

Sources: handh.co.uk and barnfinds.com.

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