Jay Leno's favorite car - a Lotus Elan

[steveww]

On track you just can not beat a Caterham for fun and pace. A very easy car to drive very quickly, I was lucky enough to have a play in a Caterham CSR 260 which is incredibly quick but does not feel like it is trying to kill you. The Radical SR8 is way way quicker but very unforgiving and thus no where near as much fun.

I think the Caterhams are too impractical for road use and this is where the Elan wins. Reasonably quick, reasonably water proof and a reasonable about of luggage space with a lot of fun thrown in.

[1964 S1]

mopho wrote.... "Yes, it's called a Caterham"

I believe you but it rains in Ohio, do you have wipers and a top? Also, I've heard the Seven Series are a bit tail happy in the wet, depending on the weight of the driver and passenger? Is that true?
Both Elans remain neutrally balanced regardless of pavement conditions. And they're UNBELIEVABLY FUNNER in the snow. Eric

[mopho]

I think the Caterhams are too impractical for road use and this is where the Elan wins. Reasonably quick, reasonably water proof and a reasonable about of luggage space with a lot of fun thrown in.

A Caterham is all those things too if you want it to be.
I use mine all the time on the road (I've put 4k miles on it in the past 6 months), and it is only impractical because of the way mine is configured. Being that it is a narrow body Superlight (R400) it does away with weather gear and has race seats, harnesses and a fuel cell that takes up the boot space. But I like it this way as I use it for thrills, not trips

The Elan is fun, but the Caterham is turned up to 11, it's like strapping yourself into a formula car

I believe you but it rains in Ohio, do you have wipers and a top? Also, I've heard the Seven Series are a bit tail happy in the wet, depending on the weight of the driver and passenger? Is that true?
Both Elans remain neutrally balanced regardless of pavement conditions. And they're UNBELIEVABLY FUNNER in the snow. Eric

I have wipers but no top (same as my Elan) on mine, don't need it here in SoCal. I have not driven the Seven in the rain, but I have the Elan and found it rather scary as it hydroplaned and understeered terribly.
My Seven can power oversteer at will, and that is part of the fun, I find it even more predictable than the Elan.

[RobL7/Elan]

MOPHO,

My 96 Caterham was built to be as close to the original series 3 as possible. 1600cc push rod, solid rear axle no limited slip etc. Since I drive it in all kinds of weather it was built with top wipers and a HEATER! I live at 7200 ft elevation and require it for any winter driving of duration. I drive it in track days with Comp tires and a open diff and surprise several "super cars" like 911's Corvette's etc. By the way I drive a 911 to work, and it won't hold a candle to the Super 7 on the track, and my seven is a moderate build. My 66 Elan series 2 is a great all around forgiving, sweet handling car, but would require much additional modification to keep up with the seven on the track.

Rob

[1964 S1]

OK, you guys have convinced me... the Seven is more fun...
New challange, name a car more fun than a (modified) Lotus Seven...

[mopho]

Doesn't exist

[rgh0]

The Great Ocean Road down from Melbourne to Lorne my wife beside me - Plus 2s 130 /5

Phillip Island race track - Elan with 180 hp and nice sticky tyres and stiff suspension. (aerodynamics kill the fun for a 7 on this track)

2000 km in 20 hrs Brisbane to Melbourne non stop - S1 Esprit.

Now at Winton race track or flat out up the Black Spur out of Melbourne into the hills on a fine sunday morning I could do with a 7.

like I say - it depends on the time and place no absolutes

cheers
Rohan

[gjz30075]

New challange, name a car more fun than a (modified) Lotus Seven...

Many people think the Honda Accord is fun...

Greg Z

[RobL7/Elan]

I agree with Rohan, time and place. Areo hurts the seven on long straights, also most Seven gearbox's are not meant for much over 100MPH. Just nice to have options.

Rob
66 ElanS2
96 Catherham

[mopho]

also most Seven gearbox's are not meant for much over 100MPH.

Neither is the Elan's


I've not had my Seven (or Elan) much over 100mph, there is just not much need to do so, it feels like you are flying along even when you are going reasonable speeds

[rgh0]

8500 rpm gets you comfortably over 100mph in an Elan even with 3.77 diff and small diameter tyres

cheers
Rohan

[msd1107]

Rohan,

Very true.

On a newly opened stretch of freeway (no chance for cops), I saw 7000 with 165X13 tires and 3.55 diff.

And I came back from the Monterey Historic races in convoy with a Porsche and Ferrari at over 6000. As the revs went over 5000, I hoped they knew what they were doing, but we were lucky - no CHP. It was a quick trip to the wine country!

No drama. It helps to be in a FHC.

On your Elan with small tires, 8500 still gets you over 130. Not bad.

David
1968 36/7988

[mopho]

8500 rpm gets you comfortably over 100mph in an Elan even with 3.77 diff and small diameter tyres

cheers
Rohan

But how much did that cost you?


My caterham only does 8000rpm, but it has two more gears
I am sure it is good for quite a bit over 100mph (supposedly 135-140 with aeroscreen)

The R500 is good for 150mph and there is a UK owner who has seen a gps confirmed 160mph with his modified car

[rgh0]

Yes a competition twin cam is not cheap - It costs me around A$15000 ( around 8000 UK pounds or US$ 11000) for a complete engine including head and block and doing all the work myself except for the specialist machining for things like line bores and cylinder bores and balancing.

But a twink at 8500 rpm in top gear down the main straight at Philip Island is a beautiful sound.

cheers
Rohan

[mopho]

But a twink at 8500 rpm in top gear down the main straight at Philip Island is a beautiful sound.

No doubt!!!