Blurred moving car YWX122G 1969 LOTUS ELAN S4 DROPHEAD traveling at speed on the M61 motorway; Slow camera shutter speed exaggerating vehicle movement
The Lotus Elan was designed in 1962 by the legendary Colin Chapman, whose brilliance at lightweight chassis design produced one of the best handling sports cars ever; a design which is still revered as much previous model, the Lotus Elite, had fibreglass monocoque bodywork which proved insufficiently rigid. Chapman introduced an effective steel backbone chassis to the Elan whilst still retaining the fibreglass bodywork. So successful was this chassis, that it still forms the basis of Lotus cars today. Only weighing in at 680kgs and with a cleverly designed twin cam 1498cc (and later 1558cc) engine built upon an existing Ford unit, it proved exceptionally nimble on the straights and in the corners showing Chapman's true understanding of suspension dynamics. In March 1968 the final Series 4 was introduced. Benefits included dashboard fresh air vents and improved interior trim and fittings. The fibreglass coachwork was lighter and incorporated flared wheel arches to accommodate the wider wheels; side repeater/indicators and larger Plus 2 rear lights were also added.
Size: 3700px × 2467px
Location: MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
Photo credit: © KeyWorded / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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