Elan Archives - Just British

VotW – 1972 Lotus Elan +2 Is A Classic Purchased Without Regret

January 11, 2017 Staff Comments Off

For our video we are returning again this week to the great folks at Petrolicious for a look at the classic 1972 Lotus Elan +2. These are great little cars, though a bit tight for some of us, so I can see having no regrets for purchasing one. Note – you will need to turn on the closed-captioning to listen to the video unless you understand French. To quote Petrolicious about this video… Typically 2+2 body styles are less desirable to two-seaters—that’s true of the Datsun 240Z and the Lotus Elan. But with the Lotus the Plus 2 wears the larger size with elegance, and at a still-attainable price point. While not enjoying the valuation of the lighter drophead coupe, the 10 inches of additional width and two feet of length give the classic a character of its own. Brieuc […]

CCA Auctions Highwing Rare Esprit during 40th Anniversary of Lotus Esprit

May 27, 2016 Staff Comments Off

A 1992 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE ‘High Wing’, one of just two original factory press cars, will be auctioned at Classic Car Auctions’ (CCA) June Sale on Saturday 18th June, at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa. In the year that Lotus celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Esprit, this car is the perfect opportunity to acquire an important example of the iconic model. This rare ‘High Wing’ variant, which appeared on the front covers of motoring magazines in the early 1990s and at various motor shows at the time of the model’s launch, will be offered for sale with an estimate of between £22,000 and £26,000.

1972 lotus Elan Plus 2 S 130 5 Ex Ronnie Peterson 3

Ronnie Peterson Lotus Elan to Be Sold

May 16, 2016 Staff Comments Off

A 1972 Lotus Elan Plus 2S first supplied to Formula 1 driver, the late Ronnie Peterson, is one of the undisputed – and very affordable – stars at Historics at Brooklands summer sale in Surrey on Saturday 11th June. With a tempting estimate of £18,000 – £22,000, this very original Elan Plus 2S 130/5 is sure to attract considerable interest as, besides its proven provenance, it’s also the very first chassis to leave the Hethel production line fitted with the five-speed gearbox. Ronnie Peterson – dubbed ‘Super Swede’ by his legion of fans – was given the car by Lotus boss Colin Chapman in November 1972. Doubtless, it was a great welcome present to Lotus after Peterson left the March F1 team to sign for the 1973 season alongside Emerson Fittipaldi at the wheel of the John Player Team Lotus […]

Peter Sellers’ Lotus Elan Up For Auction

November 5, 2015 Staff Comments Off

A rare 1966 Lotus Elan S2 once owned by famous comedian, actor, photographer, singer and all round icon Peter Sellers, will be auctioned at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on Saturday 14th November by Silverstone Auctions, estimated at between £45,000 and £50,000. The car was delivered to Peter Sellers’ Haymarket home on 22nd June 1966 and driven by him, with wife Britt Ekland in the passenger seat, until 29th February 1969. ‘SAR 57D’ then went through two other owners before being purchased by the current vendor.

VotW – Jay Leno’s Lotus Elan

August 26, 2015 Staff Comments Off

This week we have decided to feature a video from one of most any car guy’s heroes, Jay Leno. This episode from Jay Leno’s Garage is entitled “Restoration Finished: 1966 Lotus Elan 26R”. As might be expected, it features a walk-through of the magnificent Lotus elan that Jim Hall rebuilt – this ultimate Lotus of his dreams is a tribute to one of the most wonderful eras in racing. The original Elan was introduced in 1962 as a roadster, although an optional hardtop was offered in 1963 and a coupé version in 1965. The two-seat Lotus Elan replaced the elegant, but unreliable and expensive to produce Lotus Elite. It was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. At 1,600 lb (726 kg), the Elan embodied the Colin Chapman minimum weight design philosophy. Initial […]