Automotive

Took the Lotus Elan out for a spin

We raced up the mountains to a small town, did some shopping, and raced back down. Why the rush?

I was about 100 degrees up in the mountains, and my car (English!) just doesn't manage hot days and long traffic lights very well.

But we saw an interesting collection of cars for sale alongside the road.

First this flamed Ford car transporter. I need one!!

Then this assortment of vehicles as we headed out of town:

Notice the monster truck that's about 12 feet tall, towering over the other vehicles

As we returned to our part of the world my wife shouted "Lotus??" Yes, dear, good eyes. And a nice one indeed.

I have never seen this Elise before, and I have never taken a side-by-side photo with an Elise and my Elan.

Yes, I pulled to a stop in the middle of the street, hopped out, and took some pictures.

Do you see any family resemblance? I don't really see anything beyond perhaps the windshield pillars and glass curvature/shape. Perhaps this is a strange thing, considering the Elise followed on immediately after the Elan; perhaps not strange considering they had different "fathers" - Peter Stevens vs Julian Thomson - and there was a different regime in power.

Elan M100=old Lotus + GM + Isuzu engine

Elise=Artioli + Bugatti + Rover, GM and Toyota engines

Notice the license plates!

I'd love to have this Elise in the garage but I haven't got room because it's always cluttered up with other stuff.

Cheers,

Cazalea

Took the Lotus Elan out for a spin

Took the Lotus Elan out for a spin

Very nice Lotuses. Perfect wheather where you live.

Saw two Elans last week !

It was 3 yrs and 3000 miles "used"

That's around 3000 km per year ...

Too many!

Your couple of Red is a couple of dream. The original Elan, especially.