Lotus Elan - Best Sports Car Ever !!!

[peterako]

According to Classic and Sportscar July 2012

I'm chuffed

Am trying to enlighten as many of my 'other marque' friens as possible. Teh Jag guys are not taking it too well....

Peter

[nebogipfel]

Yes but we already knew that

[jono]

...just bought C&SC for a read over lunch.

A fairly lightweight article I thought - would have preferred some more incisive analysis and detailed accounts of the driving experiences for each of the cars.

At least it's official though - the Baby Elan does exist

[nebogipfel]

At least it's official though - the Baby Elan does exist

I haven't read it yet but that level of ignorance probably illustrates that it's not worth reading .......

[Spyder fan]

I liked some of the comments in the article such as "This is one of the few classics where an original chassis can sometimes dent value".

No mention of Zetec, BDA, BDG, Duratec or any alternative engined cars, nor 5 or 6 speed gearboxes other than the Lotus/Maxi item.

Very lightweight coverage whatever your personal viewpoint is, but I shall enjoy reading the rest of the magazine no doubt.

[peterako]

In general, one of my childhood favourite magazines has become very lightweight.

Some of the comments/comentary in the magazine are cringeworthy.

But the Elan headline is still great

The depth of the article is much like the one earlier in the year on Lotus in the same mag.
The one that featured Sue Miller's Sprint.

Peter

[andyhodg]

For anyone that is interested it is my green +2 that is included in that artlicle. Its the first time I've done anything like that and consequently found the photo shoot interesting but a second time I would stuggle with the boredom.

The written article is a little lighter weight than I expected but they are trying to make comments on all the cars represented (for the owners sake as much as anything else) so with so many cars it would be difficult to go inte depth with available space.

Just my two penneth.

All the best Andy

[Spyder fan]

For anyone that is interested it is my green +2 that is included in that artlicle. Its the first time I've done anything like that and consequently found the photo shoot interesting but a second time I would stuggle with the boredom.

The written article is a little lighter weight than I expected but they are trying to make comments on all the cars represented (for the owners sake as much as anything else) so with so many cars it would be difficult to go inte depth with available space.

Just my two penneth.

All the best Andy

Andy,
We are all a bunch of grumpy old experts, also we are jealous that they didn't feature our cars People have devoted whole books on the subject and it still doesn't satisfy us.

Were the feature writers knowledgeable or did they have preconceptions and biased views.

BTW: regarding the boredom, I spent a very dreary day with the presenters and film crew of Driven when they shot a feature on city cars in my so called typical suburban close a few years ago. Watching paint dry whilst having your teeth drilled is preferable, I showed Mike Brewer and Penny Mallory around my garage and driveway which contained a genuine Mini Cooper S, a Suzuki Swift Gti and a Ogle SX1000 that I was storing for a friend, I got the impression that they didn't really like cars.

[andyhodg]

Hi Alan

James Elliott appeared to be pretty knowledgable. He did drive his own +2 to the event despite the fact it wasn't included in the article. He said pleasant things about everyones' car and asked reasonable questions.

I'm quite pleased to have my car as a "cover girl" on a major magazine but as you will know photos are generally complimentry to cars and they inveriably look good despite the actual condition.

The only critisism I would have is that as an engineer I find the journalistic approach a bit on the "arty" side but that comes as no surprise. Mr Elliott came across as a nice guy with a genuine love of classic cars in general.

Regards

Andy

[elansprint71]

James Elliott owned an Elan S2 for ten years before he recently down-graded to the +2
When it comes to Lotus he knows which way is up and, imho is a top bloke. Of course, given a limited amount of space, it is difficult to come up with something which this collective of old farts did not already know.

I have long been of the opinion that C&SC should occasionally do longer articles for special occasions- the 50th Elan anniversary, the 50th E-type, Cobra.... etc.

[mark030358]

I like the TR6 myself... DOH!!!

[twincamman]

Baby Elan is fun and fine for me --Ed the troll

[elansprint71]

I like the TR6 myself... DOH!!!

Tart's car- what about the TR5? Supplied new with a chest wig and medallion.

Pete, aka Great Big Billy Goat Gruff.

[ardee_selby]

Pete, aka Great Big Billy Goat Gruff.

Does that account for your clack, clack, clack, over the rickety bridge?

Richard (aka Chupacabra)

[nebogipfel]

Richard (aka Chupacabra)

Now that conjures an image which isn't pretty