The Lotus Elan S1, introduced in 1962, marked the beginning of an iconic era for lightweight British sports cars. Designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman, the Elan S1 embodied his performance philosophy through simplicity and lightness. Featuring a fiberglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis, the car offered remarkable handling and agility, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts. Powered initially by a 1.5-liter twin-cam engine and equipped with independent suspension, the Elan S1 delivered impressive performance for its time. Its distinctive design, with pop-up headlights and a sleek, compact profile, set the standard for the sports cars that followed and solidified its place as a classic icon of the 1960s.
History
Production Notes
| Date | Type 26 | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| January 1963 | 26/0001 | Elan 1500 Introduced |
| May 1963 | 26/0023 | Elan 1600 or S1 Introduced. |
| May 1963 | 26/0026 | Hardtop is optional |
| January 1964 | 26/0330 | |
| November 1964 | 26/3900 | S1 final chassis number |
Unit Numbers
Engines
Options
Performance Data
Technical Data
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