Jay Leno's favorite car - a Lotus Elan

[archigator]

About 7:27 minutes into this interview for an upcoming issue of Classic Motorsports magazine, Tonight Show host and car guy Jay Leno reveals his favorite car - a Lotus Elan. The whole interview is about a half an hour long and is very entertaining...

http://classicmotorsports.net/video/leno/

Leno makes the analogy that it may be great to go out with a sexy Hollywood starlet (Lamborghini Miura), but sometimes it's more fun dating the cashier at the local diner (Lotus Elan).

He owns two Elans.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[1964 S1]

...that cashier who looks like Emma Peel ?

[SADLOTUS]

I thought it was the Lotus Elaarn?


Apologies...tomato tomato potato potato

ps..loved it and Mr Leno

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I thought it was the Lotus Elaarn?


Apologies...tomato tomato potato potato

ps..loved it and Mr Leno

You've gone off topic

John

[Frank Howard]

And as a bonus, of all the cars Leno owns, he decides to conduct the interview sitting between his two Elans Don't you just love it?

[mopho]

I've posted it before, here he is with my Elan. Ha actually chased me down on his motorcycle to have a look at it.





Technically, he didn't say it was his favorite car, just that it was the most pleasurable [to drive], I don't think he really has a favorite car in his collection

[tyasman]

Wow! What a petrol head! Interesting guy. He sure knows his stuff, without being at all "anoracky". (I hope our US friends understand that word). What I think Mr Leno is trying to say when he says he loves his Elan(s) is "less is more" - which is also shown on another link when he takes the little Honda S600 out for a spin.

PS Why is he talking into his mobile phone all the time?

[steveww]

I agree with Jay which is why I still own my Elan.

I used to have a Porsche 911 RS but the Elan is so much more fun to drive

I am really missing driving the Elan during the winter, roll on spring.

[RobL7/Elan]

What type of Elan's does Leno have? Restored, stock, Mods? I too thinks he is quite the "gear head" and a great car guy.

Rob

[mopho]

Last time I talked to him, one was to remain stock and the other was getting some kind of big motor build done to it, he told me some of the specifics, but I don't recall

[archigator]

Jay Leno has a running column in Octane magazine, and in the December '07 issue (with Jim Clark's D-type on the cover), devoted his entire column to the Elan. He has a '66 and a '69.

He says the goal for the one he's tricking-out is, "to see how light I can make this Elan," by adding a lighter alternator, magnesium bellshousings, etc. He also states, "Of course, if I skipped a few lunches it would really drop the weight of the car... but let's not get too fanatical."

Gary
'71 Sprint RHD
Miami, Florida

[1964 S1]

Hello Jay if you are out there.
I would consider adding a +2 to your collection, just to see if there is a car more fun to drive than an Elan.
A super light Elan will diminish its practical driveability, pot holes, uneven road seams, oh yeah, I forgot, Southern California.
However, the wider and longer +2 feels so much the same but with a little less weight I think it could pounce on an Elan.
Have I lost my mind? A car that could outdrive a Lotus Elan? I've got one of each and will honestly claim the +2 drives More Better Funner in many high speed situations.
Eric

[mopho]

Have I lost my mind? A car that could outdrive a Lotus Elan?

Yes, it's called a Caterham



.

[RobL7/Elan]

Mopho,

Indeed, a Caterham or other seven is the answer to that question. Having a 96 Caterham and a 66 Elan S2 I think they are both the answers. Glad to hear one of Leno's cars is an S2. Don't get me wrong, I would love to add a +2 to the gang one day. I'd have to move the Mini S out of the way though.

Rob

[rgh0]

An Elan, Plus 2, S1 Esprit are all answers to that question depending on the day, the road and the destination. One day I will add a 7 and perhaps an Elise to have a few more answers if I need them

cheers
Rohan