This Lotus roadster embodies the Colin Chapman dictum: 'Add lightness.'
is part of Hearst Autos—is a late-model example of that Lotus magic touch. It's a 1972 Elan Sprint, fitted with a five-speed manual for a little more livability, and painted in colors that recall the Gold Leaf-sponsored Lotus F1 racing team of the late 1960s.The 13-inch wheels are fitted with 185/70 Avon tires, and behind them lurk disc brakes at all four corners. A limited-slip differential helps get the power down out back, and the cabin has been cosmetically refreshed .
The Elan wasn't the first roadgoing Lotus, but it remains one of the best of the breed. Certainly, Mazda's engineers thought so, as the original Miata is very nearly a modernized clone of an Elan.But even a Miata looms over this Lotus. Measuring just under twelve feet long and with a curb weight of around 1500 pounds, the Elan is all about cutting every gram. For instance, the fiberglass hood doesn't even have hinges, but rather just slots into place.
Under that hood in this case is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder twin-cam engine good for a claimed 140 horsepower. When new, this engine was rated for 105 horsepower, and an Elan would sprint to 60 mph in a little over seven seconds, so this car should be very quick. The five-speed manual is from a later Elan 2+2 and should make highway cruising a little calmer.But it won't be boring.
Here's your chance to rage against the dying of the lightweight. Per pound, the Elan may look fairly expensive when the dust settles. But as a prime example of Colin Chapman's "Simplify, and add lightness" maxim, it'll be worth every penny.Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Luke Combs' Cover of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' Sparks Racism DiscourseTracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' is back in the headlines, only this time ... there's discourse about racism over Luke Combs' cover of it.
Read more »
Aroldis Chapman earns first save with Texas Rangers as club moves to ‘co-closer’ planARLINGTON — The win-clinching pitch hurtled toward home plate faster than any in recent Texas Rangers history. Aroldis Chapman’s 102.5 mile-per-hour sinker —...
Read more »
Fact or Fiction: Kamarion Franklin, Caleb Cunningham, Colin Simmons - Rivals.com
Read more »
Rangers shoot for 3-game sweep of GuardiansAroldis Chapman is proving to be a perfect fit with the Texas Rangers, who look to complete a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Read more »
Luke Combs' 'Fast Car' success marred with 'complicated' racial debate: Washington PostA Washington Post reporter insisted that Black queer artist Tracy Chapman would have “almost zero chance' at the achievement Luke Combs had with her song.
Read more »
Emmy voters desperately need to watch more televisionYes, Succession and The White Lotus are tremendous, but do the Television Academy members know that other shows exist?
Read more »