The Lotus Elan was released in October 1962 at the British Motorshow, just like the Sixties began swinging. Jaguar had started the E - Type the preceding year, and AC had Ferrari the GTO and the Cobra. Large, pricey, strong muscles vehicles. The Lotus Elan was commonly Lotus, and quite distinct - ultra-modern, accelerated, light-weight and enormous pleasure.

It included luxuries which were a rarity at that time, like electric windows, carpeting, a heater, and fashionable wood fascia, but it was still light enough in the scales to outrun other automotive competitors - as well as groupies.

The Lotus Elan Sprint, a far more powerful 1973 choice, could reach 60miles per hour in 6.6 seconds, which nonetheless could be considered respectably quick. In those days it was Neil Armstrong land.

Its popup headlights could wink at admirers. Where in fact the Swinging Sixties embraced trendy new layout, it turned heads on Carnaby Street.

The Elan was Lotus' largest commercial success to that stage, restoring a business stretched thin from the more unique consequently more expensive to make Elite. Four distinct series were created up to 1973, including a coupe variant. Seventeen thousand first examples, for example, Elan 2, were created.

He died this past year, having gained an OBE for services to industrial innovation.

Fifty years on, the Lotus Elan hasn't gone out-of style.

A bit more Lotus Elan background

As a roadster (Fall Head first released in 1962), an optional hardtop was offered in 1963 and a coupe (Fixed Head) variant in 1965.

It was likewise available as a kit to be assembled by the client. As just a couple of crucial components needed to be mated together, though a kit wasn't actually the finest description of those vehicles - they could simply be assembled in a weekend.

Reflecting the changing life-style of Lotus founder, Colin Chapman, an Elan 2 was released in 1967 with two back seats. These back seats were compact but certainly not occasional and it is not coincidence that it absolutely accommodated Colin's expanding family - a vehicle chef must have the ability to utilize their own vehicles in the end!

Lotus Elan manufacturing completed in 1972 and the 2 concluded two years after. With a production run of 17,392 automobiles, the Elan family was clearly one of the very effective in Lotus' history, surpassed only by the Elise. In the 1970s with Lotus' unprecedented success in the racetrack, notably in Formula 1, Colin Chapman introduced the now celebrated Lotus Esprit, Elite and Eclat ranges, getting Lotus to the higher-value industry and introducing the brand for the glamour and sophistication of super-car territory.

Lotus Elan Review