Lotus Elan

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Lotus

Lotus Elan

1962 - 1973
Country:
United Kingdom
Engine:
4 cyl.
Capacity:
1588 cc
Power:
105-126 bhp
Transmission:
4/5 spd. man
Top Speed:
185-189 km/h
Number Built:
12,220
Collectability:
3 star
The Elan was first manufactured in 1962 and took over from its predecessor, the Elite. It was a tremendously agile car with its steel back-bone chassis using wishbones and coils at the front and Chapman struts with lower wishbones at the rear.

Girling disc brakes were used all round. Its 105 bhp motor used chain-driven cams and Ford supplied the gearbox, block and bottom end. It was fast and light with later models including a two-plus-two and a coupe.

Quality and reliability improved with each year of manufacture. In 1971 the Sprint was produced with a big-valve engine that resulted in 25% more power - 126 bhp at 6,500 rpm.

Its acceleration was dynamic - it could get to 96 km/h as fast as a Lamborghini Islero and once in top gear could easily mix it with cars like the 246 Dino and 911E Porsche.

The Elan stopped being made in 1973 as Lotus looked at moving out of the kit car market. Today, it has been revived in the Elise.

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Also see:


Lotus Heritage
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