Lotus Elan History
The 1962 backbone-chassis roadster that defined Lotus handling — and directly inspired the Mazda MX-5.
Photo: “File:1966 Lotus Elan White.jpg” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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The Elan (Type 26, 1962–1973) replaced the loss-making Elite with a cheaper, more practical concept: a steel backbone chassis carrying a fibreglass body, with all-independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and the new Lotus Twin Cam engine. It was small, supple, and brilliant to drive, and it became the benchmark for lightweight roadster handling.
It evolved through the 1500/1600, S2, S3 (which added the fixed-head coupe), S4, and the hotter Sprint, plus the longer-wheelbase four-seat Elan +2 (1967–1975). Its influence outlived it: when Mazda set out to create the original MX-5/Miata in the late 1980s, the front-engine, rear-drive Lotus Elan was the explicit reference point.
Generations
Two-seater (Type 26) · Elan 1500 / 1600 / S2–S4 / Sprint
Photo: “File:1966 Lotus Elan White.jpg” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The original drop-head and fixed-head two-seater, from the rare 1500 through the S2–S4 and the 126-hp big-valve Sprint.
1966 Photo: “File:1966 Lotus Elan White.jpg” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1972 Photo: “File:1972 Lotus Elan Sprint Drophead LC.jpg” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1973 Photo: “File:1973 Lotus Elan Sprint.jpg” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Elan +2 · Type 50
Longer-wheelbase 2+2 fixed-head coupe — the family Elan, the only one not offered as a factory kit.
Body styles
- Convertible (drop-head coupe)
- Coupe (fixed-head)
- 2+2 coupe (Elan +2)
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