You Can't Please Everyone

Magazine Title:	Road & Track
Published:	January 1964

It is quite impossible to build a motor car that will please everyone, so the next best thing is to build one that will have particular appeal for a few. The Lotus Elan will accelerate to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds and push 100 in 20 seconds and that's with the stock factory layout and standard tune. The twin cam Lotus engine is undoubtedly the quickest and quietest 1600cc engine ever offered in a production roadster and the handling, suspension, and braking clearly reflect Lotus experience in designing formula machines. From the standpoint of performance, reliability and styling we feel the Elan is a very satisfactory machine. However, the proper all- two-seater must contain certain traditional elements. To this end, care and consideration have been lavished on certain spartan touches that will strike to the heart of the "old school" motor sports enthusiasts who's memory book is stuffed with Rileys, Morgans, and Bugattis. The collapsible P.V.C. hood is of the non- variety and will afford the autoist ample opportunity to demonstrate his manual dexterity. 1:1 True to the classic form, there are no window winders. Raising or lowering the windows that repose within the doors is done in a manner reminicent of early railway coaches and excursion steamers. While this is not quite like snapping in the side curtains, it does give one a sense of participation. To be sure there are concessions to advances in engineering and design, such as headlamps that fold up and down vacuumatically from a flipper on the oiled teak facia, electric two-speed windscreen wipers that provide ample viewing openings for both driver and passenger, and avant-garde bumpers of foam filled plastic that don't dent and rust at the slightest shunt. El It is in the engine, chassis, and running gear that the boldest innovations have been permitted. The mating of the Lotus dohc head to a specially designed Lotus/ Ford block is by no means the result of casual thinking in the parts locker. The combination of a sturdy four cylinder block and a thoroughly sophisticated dual cam head with twin Weber carbs has resulted in a standard street de-tuned 1558cc engine delivering 105 bhp at 5700 and red lined at 6000-6500. Top speed is 115 and the close ratio four speed synchro gear box delivers smooth, spirited performance throughout the range with exceptional tooth through the 2600 to 6500 segment. Advance orders are now being accepted for delivery in late '63 or early '64; the price of the car is $3,922 P.O.E. West Coast, including synchro four speed close ratio gearbox, 1558cc dohc engine with twin Weber carbs.

Exclusive Factory Distributors and Agents for California, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho.

BOB CHALLMAN Ecurie Shirlee Corporation SHOWROOMS AND SERVICE FACILITIES 2301 SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA FRONTIER 6-8833