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| | View more photos Coupe Plus 2 Chassis Num: 501782 |
In 1952 engineer Colin Chapman formed Lotus Engineering Ltd. Team Lotus actively campaigned in Formula One Race from 1958 through 1994.
Just a few years after the company was formed, it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Elan was a model that helped bring it back from the brink. It was an attractive vehicle constructed of lightweight fiberglass and fitted to a steel backbone chassis. The result was excellent handling and great performance. The design of the Elan was courtesy of Mr. Ron Hickman and a former employee of the Ford Corporation.
The Elan was introduced in 1962 and served as a successor to the Elite model. Under the bonnet was a four-cylinder twin-cam engine which helped propel the car into a legend.
The original Elan was configured as a roadster, although an optional hardtop was offered in 1963 and a coupe version in 1965. This was the first Lotus road car utilizing the steel backbone chassis with a fiberglass body. Performance was maximized with four-wheel disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension.
In 1967 an Elan 2+2 built on a longer wheelbase and two addtional seats was introduced. In total, there were around 17,000 examples of the Elan and Elan +2 created.
The Elan was ranked number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960's by the Sports Car International. It is also credited with being the design inspiration for the highly successful Mazda MX-5 (Miata).
This 1970 Elan is a +2 with Fixed Head Coupe configuration. It has been treated to a complete restoration off the frame and still shows well. The exterior is finished in a bright red with a black fixed top. The interior is in its original black with matching black carpeting and power windows.
As the gavel fell on auction day this car had found new ownership, though the bidding had fallen short of the estimated value. The car was sold for $20,900.
In 1957, the Lotus Company owned by Colin Chapman was on the verge of bankruptcy. The success of the Elan is one of the main reasons Lotus is now a successful corporation. The lightweight fiberglass body fitted to a steel backbone chassis provided excellent performance and amazing handling. Mr. Ron Hickman was the designer of Elan and a former employee of the Ford Corporation.
The Elan was available in coupe and hardtop form. The S2 version was introduced in 1964 and came equipped with larger brakes and an updated interior. The S3 version followed a year later and in 1968 came the S4. In 1967 the car was stretched to accommodate a back seat.
The Elan is credited as being the world's first production car to feature body-molded bumpers.
Production ended in 1973.
The Elan was available in coupe and hardtop form. The S2 version was introduced in 1964 and came equipped with larger brakes and an updated interior. The S3 version followed a year later and in 1968 came the S4. In 1967 the car was stretched to accommodate a back seat.
The Elan is credited as being the world's first production car to feature body-molded bumpers.
Production ended in 1973.
1970 Lotus Elan |
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| Year | 1970 |
| Make | Lotus |
| Model | Elan |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Fiberglass |
| Production Years for Series | 1962 - 1975 |
| Price | $5,995.00 |
| Weight | 2080 lbs | 943.5 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 501782 |
| Engine [Optional Engines] | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Solid valve lifters | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 1558.00 cc | 95.1 cu in. | 1.6 L. |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Horsepower | 105.00 BHP (77.3 KW) @ 5500.00 RPM |
| Torque | 108.00 Ft-Lbs (146.4 NM) @ 4000.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 19.8 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 65.6 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Main Bearings | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 2 twin choke Webers or Dell'orto carburetors | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Aluminum |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Lotus History |
| Manufacturer Website |
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| The Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction |
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| Other Model Years |
| 1991 Elan M100 |
| 1969 Elan |
| 1966 Elan |
| 1965 Elan S2 |
| 1964 Elan |
| 1963 Elan |
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