Lotus Elan
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Manufacturer | Lotus Cars |
---|---|
Production | 1962–1973 |
Model years | |
Assembly | Hethel, England |
Body style |
|
Layout | Front Engine/Rear Drive |
Engine | Lotus 1,558cc Straight-4 |
Wheelbase | 2,134 mm (84 in) |
Length | 3,683 mm (145 in) |
Width | 1,422 mm (56 in) |
Height | 1,156 mm (46 in) |
Curb weight | 688 kg (1,517 lb) |
The Lotus Elan is a true sports car. A sports car is about being light, having finesse, and a focus on handling rather than speed. A true sports car is about the driver to feel like he is in control of what is going on. This is a Lotus Elan.
Contents |
History
The Lotus Elan was introduced in 1962 at The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. At 1,500 lb (680 kg), the Elan embodied the Colin Chapman minimum weight design philosophy. Initial versions of the Elan were also available as a kit to be assembled by the customer. The Elan was technologically advanced with a twin-cam 1558 cc engine, 4-wheel disc brakes, and 4-wheel independent suspension. The Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine was based on Ford's Pre-Cross-flow 4-cylinder 1500 cc engine, with a Lotus-inspired Cosworth alloy twin-cam head.
The Lotus Elan's rarity, beautiful lines, impressive performance and practicality are the main factors for the rising interest on these cars among collectors.
The Lotus Elan ceased production in 1973.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the Elan number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.
The Lotus Elan is commonly credited as being the design inspiration for the highly successful Mazda MX-5. Two Lotus Elans were intimately evaluated by Mazda in the process of designing the MX-5.
Design Evolution
Series 1 (1963-1964)
Paragraph about the S1.
Series 2 (1964-1966)
Paragraph about the S2.
Series 3 (1966-1968)
Paragraph about the S3.
Series 4 (1968-1971)
Paragraph about the S4.
Sprint (1971-1973)
Paragraph about the Sprint.
Racing
26R
Special Models
Shapecraft
IWR Elan Coupe
Hexagon Estate Sprint
Awards
In 2004, Sports Car International named the Elan number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.
Production
Date | Type 26 | Type 36 | Type 45 | Types 36 & 45 | 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 | |||
26/3901 | S2 Introduced | ||||
January 1965 | 26/4325 | ||||
September 1965 | 36/4510 | S3 FHC (Coupe) Introduced | |||
January 1966 | 26/5207 | 36/5201 | |||
26/5282 | S2 SE Introduced | ||||
June 1966 | 26/5798 | S2 SE final chassis number | |||
26/5810 | S2 DHC final chassis number | ||||
45/5701 | S3 DHC SE Introduced | ||||
45/5702 | S3 DHC Introduced | ||||
July 1966 | 36/5977 | S3 FHC SE Introduced | |||
January 1967 | 36/6679 | 45/6678 | Non-SE Models | ||
36/6680 | 45/6683 | SE Models | |||
August 1967 | 36/7327 | 45/7328 | Non-SE Models | ||
36/7331 | 45/7329 | SE Models | |||
March 1968 | 36/7896 | 45/7895 | S4 Models Introduced | ||
December 1969 | 36/9824 | 45/9823 | |||
January 1970 | 70.xx.yy.0001z | xx - Month of Production yy - Batch Number z - Car Type Identity: A - S4 FHC UK Market B - S4 FHC Export C - S4 DHC UK Market D - S4 DHC Export E - S4 SE FHC UK Market F - S4 SE FHC Export G - S4 SE DHC UK Market H - S4 SE DHC Export J - S4 FHC Federal (USA) K - S4 DHC Federal (USA) | |||
January 1971 | 71.xx.0001z | See January 1970 explanation | |||
February 1971 | 71.02 | Sprint Introduced | |||
January 1972 | 72.xx.0001z | See January 1970 explanation | |||
August 1973 | 73.08...... | Sprint ceased Production |