1965 Lotus Elan S2

The knowledge gained, the lessons learned, and all the ingenuity and creativity that was demonstrated in racing were used in building the Model 26 Elan. It was a small, agile, nimble, and lightweight road car with a steel backbone chassis, a fiberglass body, an advanced DOHC 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) four-cylinder engine, four-wheel disc brakes, an independent suspension, and rack and pinion steering. The Elan rewarded the capable driver with light and direct steering, a correctly damped suspension, and powerful brakes.

Launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1962, the Elan was available as a complete car or a kit at a reduced price. Introduced in November 1964, the Series 2 featured numerous detailed styling changes and improved brakes.

The Lotus Elan was the company's first commercial success and provided financial stability to continue with its racing endeavors. It enjoyed a rather lengthy production lifespan, with over 12,000 examples created. Continuous development in comfort and performance created a very refined and sophisticated vehicle, and given its background and specification, it would prove to be a highly capable circuit racer. The motorsport success achieved by privateers convinced Lotus to introduce a competition version of their own - the '26R' - in 1964. It featured a stiffened chassis, modified suspension, wider wheels, a BRM-built engine, and lightweight coachwork. Piloted by many of the top Grand Prix drivers of the day, including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Stirling Moss, and Jackie Oliver, the 26R racked up numerous accolades. In UK club racing, John Miles won every race at the Goodwood Easter meeting in 1966 driving a Willment-entered example. He won 15 races and the Autosport championship in 1966.

The Lotus Elan was a brilliant personification of Chapman's principles of lightweight, aerodynamic coachwork coupled with the brakes, suspension and transmission of a race car.

Mechanical Specification
The Lotus Elan rested on an 84-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 145 inches, a width of 56 inches, and a height of 45.5 inches.

The fiberglass body was bolted to the fabricated mild steel backbone chassis at 16 points. The chassis was the primary stressed component, with the body adding slightly to the overall rigidity of the structure. The engine and gearbox were located at the front, and the differential at the rear. Ford UK provided the engine, gearbox and differential, which Lotus tuned to higher specification. Three differential ratios were offered at various times during the production lifespan including 3.55, 3.77 and 3.9. The 3.55 became a popular option in later cars, the 3.9 offered the best acceleration and popular in early cars, while most examples received the 3.77 differential.

Engine
The first 22 cars built were powered by a 1,498cc four-cylinder engine and were known as the Elan 1500. Subsequent Elans received a 1,558cc engine and were designated the Elan 1600. Output ranged from 90 bhp to 113 bhp depending on configuration and state of tune.

Lotus Elan Series 2
The Lotus Elan Series 2, beginning with chassis number 3901, was introduced in November 1964 and ushered in numerous detail styling changes. Championship badges were now fitted to the lower part of the front fenders, a chrome flip-top fuel cap replaced the former screw on one, and an 'S2' chrome script could be found on the trunk lid. The interior gained a full width veneer dash with a lockable glove box, chrome window lifts and levers, chrome surrounds for the instruments, and revised pedal cluster.

Additional updates and improvements were made from chassis 4109 forward, new front brake calipers with larger pistons and revised rear brake discs, revised brake and master cylinders, and differential and inboard/outboard drive shafts. Eighteen cars later in the series, Lotus added new rear light clusters.

Approximately 1,250 examples of the Lotus Elan S2 models were produced.

Lotus Elan Series 3
The Series 3 introduced a fixed-head coupe version of the car (known as the Type 36), and in 1966, the drophead coupe Type 26 was replaced by the Type 45. The battery was moved from behind the left-hand seat to the trunk (boot). Full carpeting and additional sound insulation were added, dashboard fresh air vents were added, the trunk lid was enlarged which improved access to the trunk (boot), and the hood (bonnet) release was moved from the top of the dashboard to under the dashboard. The steering wheel now had Colin Chapman's autograph. There were electric windows with chrome glass frame, and the front suspension castor angle was reduced from 7 to 3 degrees.

Lotus Elan Series 4
The Series 4 models had two-speed wipers, electric windscreen washer, flared wheel arches with larger tires, conversion to negative earth, dual circuit brakes, integrated rear lamp cluster with reversing lights, and fail-safe headlamps. The interior gained flush dashboard rocker switches.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2012