"Lotus Elite - Racing Car for the Road" ...

[Lightweight_911]

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Thanks for the compliments.

By the way Jonathan - you'll be pleased to hear that the first thing I did was to change the screws securing the front lower part of the tunnel trim to black versions as they were grating on me !

Another rare feature of the interior is the original Irvin seat belts ...



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[inaglasshouse]

Andy

Very very lovely, thanks for posting.
I'm looking forward to hearing your views on how it drives.

BTW re Macan: it amuses me how everything pre-1990-ish (not just sports cars, try a Golf, 5 series, 2-door Range Rover) looks tiny next to a modern SUV. Although, as your photo shows, even a bus looks quite modest in scale.

Cheers, Richard.

[yoda]

Lovely car Andy and I wonder if there are more "findings" to come? My perfect classic cars are usually those that have been well restored and allowed to mellow for a few years so they don't look too fresh. Your Elite looks just right.

[Lightweight_911]

I'm looking forward to hearing your views on how it drives.

Only done a few short journeys in it so far Richard - & the roads have been damp/greasy so I haven't felt inclined to 'push' it yet - but initial impressions (in no particular order) are:

- engine seems to be more flexible than I expected given the camshaft that's fitted
- steering is very direct/sensitive (i think it has a high ratio rack fitted)
- brakes are fantastic (it's had some very expensive front pads recently fitted)
- gearbox has nicely-spaced ratios & a very precise gearchange
- current suspension settings seem to be a bit too hard for the typical road surfaces around here
- seats feel very 'upright' (there's no rake adjustment)

However, overall it goes/drives very well - I think I'm going to enjoy it !!

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[911hillclimber]

Just watched a video of a car in the USA, red and early.
It was a little. Like a buyer guide, but some interesting details.
Surprised me the engine had a single SU on a very basic log manifold.
He said this carb was standard.
I imagine this would make the engine very flexible?
The spec of the engine was described as standard, but that Weber etc were commonplace.
RHD car.

[Lightweight_911]

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That sounds like Mike Ostrov* - he's been involved with Elites for 35+ years & runs the Elite World Register with Don Christopher.

All S1 Elites were RHD & came with a single SU & cast iron exhaust manifold - approx 75bhp.


* I think Mike currently owns 4 or 5 Elites - at least one of which features s Lotus twin-cam engine

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[911hillclimber]

Yes, that' s him.
Good straight forward video.
Comments about the Commor van door handles was amazing, doubt many in the USA have ever heard of one.
Found the door glass removal interesting, and double curved glass! That was a surprise.
The whole car design seems very thorough and above the Elan but what do I know.

Wish I could remember the spec of Paul Mattys car was, but he felt is very special indeed.

[jtparr]

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By the way Jonathan - you'll be pleased to hear that the first thing I did was to change the screws securing the front lower part of the tunnel trim to black versions as they were grating on me !

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[Lightweight_911]

The whole car design seems very thorough and above the Elan but what do I know.

The Elite was very expensive to produce - especially the grp monocoque which was extremely labour-intensive (the first 280 built by Maximar then production switched to Bristol Aircraft who built a further 760+ cars) - & it is reckoned that Colin Chapman lost ~£100 on each Elite.

Thus the (backwards) switch to a separate steel backbone chassis for the Elan which was much cheaper to build ...

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[Lightweight_911]

Wish I could remember the spec of Paul Mattys car was, but he felt is very special indeed.

Paul owns* (or, at least he did own for many years) #1653 which is a 1962 SE model in Metallic Green with a Silver roof (an identifying feature of an SE model) - this is it:



* he had it up for sale ~ 18 months ago but I don't think it found a buyer (££££££)

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[911hillclimber]

I chat with Paul several times each year when our paths cross at midland hillclimbs, just a bit of paddock talk while he tries to tempt me to drop the Lola and get a real car, Lotus 23B etc...and to join the Mattey Championship which does look good, nice people too.
Last time in late 2021, Shelsley I think, he mentioned his special Elite which he said he could be tempted to sell as it now goes nowhere, just too busy etc.

I would expect him to have a choice one , and the 2 still on his site look nice too.
I'm surprised they are not more ££££ than they are.

Like many, you can't help but be in awe of the style of these cars.

Charles Morgan's film make the chassis look nice and supple and a bit of period roll, nice.

[willbrown]

Beautiful Andy. You know how high to set the bar!

[jonno1]

Fabulous - love the Elite. Great choice!

[Darren65]

So very true that less is always more!

Absolutely wonderful Andy.....more please???

[23e Heure]

Congrats, Andy. Let’s see some driving photos!