Jay Leno's Elan - Synopsis

[archigator]

A summary of Jay Leno's heavily-modified Elan build, compiled from expisodes from 'Jay Leno's Garage' - Elan blog...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/31/jay-leno-goes-old-school-1966-lotus-elan-26r-video/

Academically, it's interesting to see what can be done to an Elan with an unlimited budget. It's obvious that it's one of his favorites.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[nudgernog]

the white elan looked so much better before they butchered it into that hot rod.

we have lost a nice original car there forever.

they should have left it be.

[collins_dan]

I'm not sure much of the white car went into it, other than the serial number. Isn't it a new body, sub-frame, suspension, engine, transmission, wheels....

[rgh0]

I agree its really a new Elan built from scratch to a whole new specification. A nice upgrade in a lot of ways but i certainly would have done a few things a little differently for a road car.

Thinking back through the build videos I cant recall a single original item off the white car being used - maybe the door handles?? It should be out there somewhere still I would guess.

cheers
Rohan

[nudgernog]

you can see in the last video that the chassis was blasted and re-used.

the chassis plate of the original car is on the bulkhead.

[ken ob]

I suppose it is very good workmanship but strikes me as more money than sense.

Ken

[robertverhey]

A beautiful car but I couldn't stand the sound of that chaff-cutter transmission!

[archigator]

Personally, I much prefer maintaining a stock Elan, but I think this is an interesting experiment.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[elansprint71]

Could he not have just built this thing without wasting ANY original Elan parts?

Sorry Jay; I know you are, conveniently, dyslexic but perhaps you could pay someone to read my message to you?

[Sundaydriver]

This is a great tribute to Lotus , It's an interpretation, a very personal one.
They've added lightness in spades, whilst also adding a smart interior.
Did I hear that right, they cast a bespoke block ???

[Chancer]

85 watt alternator

And where does Bugatti come into it?

[JonnyPlus2]

> we have lost a nice original car there forever.
Well, there seems to be no shortage of original cars out there. Although one could make a strong case that we've only lost the chassis and the chassis plate from this one.

Personally, I like it a lot. Given that Jay decided to mod it, Jim did a fabulous job. Jay voted with his wallet (although it's just chump change to him) and he followed his muse (or at least Jim Hall's) and did something semi-unique, a 26R for the street.

There's room for both the originalistas and modders in the Elan fold. When a restoration or a restomod is done nicely I think that the culprit deserves kudos for a job well done.

Best,
Jon