Lotus Elan

[t walgamuth]

Hi all car freaks!

For anyone who does not know what an Elan is, well, it was what the first gen miata copied basically except the real Elan is about 800# lighter than the Miata. In their day they used to beat corvettes on race tracks that did not have a lot of long straightaways.

I am not sure how many times I have ever seen a lotus elan in the flesh...I don't recall ever seeing one on the street. I have seen a half dozen at the autocross events over the years.

The other day after lunch one of my lunch buddies told me he wanted to show me something. We drove over to another part of town and down a side street and there in a driveway behind a house was a rather decent looking Lotus Elan with a soft top and faded fiberglass. I said "cool! thanks for showing me this".

So today I drove over there and found some kids playing in the yard. I asked to talk to their mom or dad and they said "she's inside". So I rang the doorbell and presently the mom came to the door.

I introduced myself and told her I was the largest poster here on mercedes shopforum, gaining instant gravitas. (just kidding). I introduced myself and told her I had noticed the Lotus and could I talk to her husband about it.

She said sure. I handed her an envelope with my name and contact info in it.

She said he'd probably want to see my Lotus 7 too.

She said the motor is in Chicago being rebuilt. They have six kids...yikes! He has a huge row of tool boxes in the garage. I'm guessing that he makes good money based on the basic facts.

Its a nice complete looking car sitting in the driveway with large plastic kids toys stacked around and on it. The red fiberglass looks pretty good but faded. The top is saggy but the interior looks good (what I could see of it).

Its probably the epitome of ideal sports cars for me. Tiny lightweight with razor sharp reflexes, a soft ride and cornering that cannot be beat.

As far as a place for it I could probably park it in the trunk of the Bonneville or the bed of the 39 Studebaker truck!

[P.C.]

My intro to the Lotus Elan when I was a little sapling watching a black-and-white Admiral TV back in the Sixtie's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJOP9zNZ4es

Naturally Leno has one on steroids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cPcpMmN18M

[Air&Road]

They did a good piece on an Élan on the Wheeler Dealers show. There were some interesting features of the car that weren't all good. The jackshaft joints consisted of rubber couplings that didn't last long instead of CV joints. There was an aftermarket specialist that supplied CV joint replacement shafts that looked high quality but terribly expen$ive. It appeared to me that this would be a mandatory modification if you wanted to drive it hard.

Also the suspension joints seemed chincy and needed frequent replacement.

These are not criticisms of the car, just notes of things to be aware of. From all indications, I think an Élan would be a hoot for someone who knows how to drive a front engine,RWD sports car.

As much as I love old cars like this, I am mellowing in my old age. Modern technology has resulted in more horsepower, more refined feel and handling along with reliability. There are a number more modern sports cars that are old enough to be more affordable and more easily and less expensively maintained.

I am not trying to throw cold water on your excitement. I fully understand the fun and thrill of old cars for those with the passion for them.

For years I have wanted a Lotus Esprit or a Ferrari 306(Isn't that the model that Tom Selleck drove?) now that I can afford to have one though, there are just many modern cars with similar power and handling that wouldn't require so much time to keep up. Coupled with that issue is the fact that I now am focused on having the right airplane.

[Air&Road]

Originally Posted by P.C.

My intro to the Lotus Elan when I was a little sapling watching a black-and-white Admiral TV back in the Sixtie's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJOP9zNZ4es

Naturally Leno has one on steroids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cPcpMmN18M

I enjoyed the Leno one. For some time I have had this vision in my head of an LA area cop sitting behind a billboard, radar gun aimed, coffee and donut in hand while a car zooms past three times the speed limit, the cops hair blowing for a half second from the air disturbance. As he is putting down coffee and donut for the chase he realizes who it is and says; "Oh! it's only Leno again!"

Tom, just buy that Élan and send it to Jay with a blank check against an account with a nice seven figure balance.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Air&Road

They did a good piece on an Élan on the Wheeler Dealers show. There were some interesting features of the car that weren't all good. The jackshaft joints consisted of rubber couplings that didn't last long instead of CV joints. There was an aftermarket specialist that supplied CV joint replacement shafts that looked high quality but terribly expen$ive. It appeared to me that this would be a mandatory modification if you wanted to drive it hard.

Also the suspension joints seemed chincy and needed frequent replacement.

These are not criticisms of the car, just notes of things to be aware of. From all indications, I think an Élan would be a hoot for someone who knows how to drive a front engine,RWD sports car.

As much as I love old cars like this, I am mellowing in my old age. Modern technology has resulted in more horsepower, more refined feel and handling along with reliability. There are a number more modern sports cars that are old enough to be more affordable and more easily and less expensively maintained.

I am not trying to throw cold water on your excitement. I fully understand the fun and thrill of old cars for those with the passion for them.

For years I have wanted a Lotus Esprit or a Ferrari 306(Isn't that the model that Tom Selleck drove?) now that I can afford to have one though, there are just many modern cars with similar power and handling that wouldn't require so much time to keep up. Coupled with that issue is the fact that I now am focused on having the right airplane.

308.

What you say is generally true, but with all the crash regulations etc. no new car can match the elan for lightness and agility (I read).

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Air&Road

I enjoyed the Leno one. For some time I have had this vision in my head of an LA area cop sitting behind a billboard, radar gun aimed, coffee and donut in hand while a car zooms past three times the speed limit, the cops hair blowing for a half second from the air disturbance. As he is putting down coffee and donut for the chase he realizes who it is and says; "Oh! it's only Leno again!"

Tom, just buy that Élan and send it to Jay with a blank check against an account with a nice seven figure balance.

I don't have that kind of money. I'd just fix it and use it stock except for practical mods that improve reliability or speed. I doubt I'd want to make it too nice cosmetically. I'd want it dead reliable though (well, as much as is possible with an old Lotus.)

[Air&Road]

I was just making a joke about Leno doing it. I completely understand your enthusiasm for the car.

[P.C.]

Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 at LotusElan.net

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by P.C.

Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 at LotusElan.net

Cool! Thanks Paul!

[Jorn]

Someone in my neighborhood has one, his other car is a beautiful Ford GT. Both are parked outside in his yard (!). The Elan is tiny, must be a lot of fun in the canyons.

[t walgamuth]

These little lotuses are like minnows in the carp on the race track. Passing in the turns no problemo.

[Air&Road]

An Englishman that I worked with many years ago told about a demonstration before the races on some English road course. He said the race was between a Mini Cooper and a High powered Jag sedan. He said the sedan would pass the Cooper on the straight then the Cooper would pass the Jag on the turn.

[t walgamuth]

The minis were very fast too. I'm not sure what would happen if the Mini raced the Lotus. I imagine its well documented.

[Air&Road]

I fully expect that the mini wouldn't hold a candle to an Élan. My point was that a heavy, powerful car is fast in the straights and the light car corners faster. The Élan can probably do both.

[t walgamuth]

Yes, I imagine so.