The Lotus Elan roadster. Image: Lotus
In October of 1962, Lotus launched an all-new roadster at the British Motor Show that would eventually go on to re-write the book on modern, lightweight sports cars. Dubbed the Lotus Elan, the car debuted the use of a backbone tube chassis on a production, road-going car, sported a lightweight fiberglass body and utilized a four wheel independent suspension.
For the day, it was surprisingly well equipped, featuring amenities like wood veneer dash trim, power windows, full (but tissue-thin) carpeting and even a functioning heater. Later versions (namely, the Elan Sprint) could dash from 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, which was seriously impressive back in 1973.
The Elan turned out to be a commercial success for Lotus, and quite possibly pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy despite modest production numbers. In total, just over 17,000 were built before production ended in 1973.
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The Elan served as inspiration (and a role model) for Mazda’s original MX-5 Miata, a car that’s now gone on to become the best selling sports car in history. Lotus says the Elan influenced today’s Lotus Elise, too, although we have a hard time seeing the similarity between a front-engine, rear-drive roadster and a mid-engine, rear drive Targa, ourselves.
Today, you can still see the occasional Elan on the road or in SCCA Solo competition, proving how good Ron Hickman’s original design was. We tip our hats to Lotus on this occasion, and wish the Elan a very happy 50th birthday.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
