The original Elan was the first Lotus road car to use the steel backbone chassis with a fiberglass body. Launched in 1962 as a roadster, it was offered with an optional hardtop in 1963 and a coupe version available from 1965. Replacement for the Lotus Elite (also on this list), it embodied Lotus Founder Colin Chapmans minimum weight design philosophy. Technically advanced, the Elan was fitted with a twin-cam 1558cc engine, four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension.
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