Lotus Elan

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Peter Egan had a nice road trip article in the current R&T - he mentions the legendary road holding several times

what was the suspension layout on these things?

and was it superior to a Porsche? to a current Miata?

Won · 09-09-2010, 11:49 PM

Similar "backbone" chassis as a DeLorean

ZOO · 09-10-2010, 01:28 AM

I have been to many autoxs with Elans, and never lost to any in my Miata (suspension upgrades only). Of course, I can run much more tire than most Elans.

sc_rufctr · 09-10-2010, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOOMiata

I have been to many autoxs with Elans, and never lost to any in my Miata (suspension upgrades only). Of course, I can run much more tire than most Elans.

It's interesting that the Miata has a similar backbone chassis

(was this just a coincidence?)

GLASEM · GLASEM's Garage

As I recall Mazda took several Lotus Elan's back to Japan to evaluate before they brought out the Miata.

The firsts one were about the same size and looked like a copy of the Elan.

The car was based from there.

Still remember Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) getting out of hers in the old "AVENGERS"
TV series

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

The Miata was the best British car that Britain never built.

Henry Schmidt · 09-10-2010, 05:02 AM

I've wanted a Lotus Elan ever since high school. Last year I found the one I wanted and bought it.
I've driven it twice in anger and I HATE it. I guess I'm just a Porsche guy through and through.
Anyone want it?

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Miata~Elan, on purpose, even the exhaust note is supposed to sound like a Brit sports car.

sc_rufctr · 09-10-2010, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

Miata~Elan, on purpose, even the exhaust note is supposed to sound like a Brit sports car.

What's really sad is that the Brits can't build a Brit sports car as good as a Japanese built Brit sports car!

Whatever happened to British ingenuity?

sc_rufctr · 09-10-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLASEM

As I recall Mazda took several Lotus Elan's back to Japan to evaluate before they brought out the Miata.

The firsts one were about the same size and looked like a copy of the Elan.

The car was based from there.

Still remember Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) getting out of hers in the old "AVENGERS"
TV serie

Emma!

AFC-911 · 09-10-2010, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

What's really sad is that the Brits can't build a Brit sports car as good as a Japanese built Brit sports car!

Equally sad that the Japanese has to copy someone else to build something good...

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Equally sad that the Japanese has to copy someone else to build something good...

'Zactly. You can see it everywhere:

Lexus LS - copied from Mercedes S Class

Lexus IS - BMW 3 Series

Lexus ISF - Audi R8

C'mon guys -- I know that imitation is the best form of flattery, but geez -- can you create something unique on your own?!?!

-Z

PS: Henry: How much for the Elan?!?

legion · 09-10-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Equally sad that the Japanese has to copy someone else to build something good...

Um...they pretty much always have.

The Toyota 2000GT was a copy of a Jaguar.

The Miata was a copy of a Lotus.

The Ridgeline is a (poor) copy of a Chevy.

Lexus to this day copies MB and BMW for many of its models...

masraum · 09-10-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Equally sad that the Japanese has to copy someone else to build something good...

Except that they didn't. They took a bunch of classic sports cars of many makes and models, test drove them all extensively, and then tried to take the best aspects of each, the aspects that made them great cars (handling, sound, etc...) and tried to build a car that had all of the right parts. They didn't actually try to copy the Elan. That's a common misconception.

kanadary · 09-10-2010, 06:28 AM

also the datsun 510 was a copy of the 2002 but i had and loved both of these.

Steve Carlton · 09-10-2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Emma!

Nice rig!

sc_rufctr · 09-10-2010, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Nice rig!

And completely natural. Wonderful stuff.

This girl tried hard but misses the mark IMHO. Tats and fake boobs. Like we haven't seen that before.

AFC-911 · 09-10-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Except that they didn't. They took a bunch of classic sports cars of many makes and models, test drove them all extensively, and then tried to take the best aspects of each, the aspects that made them great cars (handling, sound, etc...) and tried to build a car that had all of the right parts. They didn't actually try to copy the Elan. That's a common misconception.

I own one & no matter what Bob the designer says, I still think it's a blatant copy.

Just like Mazda pretty much copied the 944 and put a rotary in it.

scottmandue · 09-10-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

They didn't actually try to copy the Elan. That's a common misconception.

Respectfully, and I may be wrong.

But I was reading a lot of automobile magazines at the time, and IIRC Mazda was very open about the Miata being copy of the Elan, even to the point where they made some kind of deal with Lotus before the fact. (also IIRC).

Henry Schmidt · 09-10-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-man

*****snip*****
PS: Henry: How much for the Elan?!?

It's pretty rough so I'd let it go for $9,500.
Structurally & mechanically sound and cosmetically rough.
It needs a TOB so I would do that before the sale.
The brakes are awful so I bought some Porterfeild R4-S carbons for it that will also be installed.
I would consider all 356, 912, 911 trades.

BTW: sorry for hi-jacking the thread.