Lotus 63' A Vintage Year

Magazine Title:	Road & Track
Published:	October 1963

This year the season dawned with bright promise for the green cars from Cheshunt (it always starts that way) and after wins at Holland, Belgium, France and England, Lotus had shown enough early foot to have the brass ring hanging on the peg at Monza. A win would clinch it with races to spare, but one couldn't help remembering a very soggy-pudding day in South Africa when the championship had dribbled out the distributor drive. El During the Monza race, Hill and Gurney swarmed about Jimmy Clark often leaving him to draft along behind. But this time all the little wiggly jiggly bits stayed in place and Jimmy peddled home in front. One can scarcely imagine the self-restraint needed by the Lotus folks to maintain an appropriate British aplomb. Chapman layed it all to Clark, Clark beamed appreciatively at his machine and a voice in the background muttered something about safety wire and cotter-pins. All and all it was a smashing day.

Coming on the tail of the industrial revolution at Indianapolis this was the signal for considerable jubilation both at home and abroad. As yet we have not received any requests for bobbly-headed dolls cast in the likeness of Chapman or Clark, but auto sales have been quite brisk. In a good many cases, transactions are being conducted completely by post or telephone. 0 In peering round at the back side of things one must recognize that Lotus is by no means a giant among auto builders and future deliveries will be limited by production capacity. The reputation gained by Lotus in racing is not likely to be cast aside for hurriedly mass produced vehicles. If you have been contemplating a Lotus you may find the wait has become a bit longer, but when you do get your machine it will be an honest representative of a championship Marque. You will be further pleased to note that the price of victory has not been added to the cost of your car.

LOTUS ELITE COUPE Four cylinder ohc Coventry Climax 0 Twin S.U. carburetors 0 1216cc, 79 bhp @ 6300 rpm Top speed 120 mhp El Four speed synchro on top three or optional ZF all synchro El All independent Chapman suspension Girling disc brakes Approximate delivery 60 to 90 days $4,780 P.O.E.

LOTUS ELAN ROADSTER Four cylinder Lotus twin cam Twin Weber carburetors 1558cc, 105 bhp @ 5000 rpm El Top speed 115 mph El Four speed close ratio all synchro gear box All independent Chapman suspension Lotus Girling disc brakes El Approximate delivery 60 to 90 days $3,922 P.O.E.

EXCLUSIVE FACTORY DISTRIBUTORS & AGENTS FOR CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, UTAH, IDAHO.

BOB CHALLMAN

ECURIE SHIRLEE CORPORATION SHOWROOMS & SERVICE FACILITIES 2301 SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA FRONTIER 6-8833