Randy, the original ower, was my good friend in college. We bonded over that car! I had been driving formula fords and when Randy found that out he would have me drive his pride and joy when he wanted to go really fast. Four wheel drifts in top gear! It was a blast. I'm lucky enough to have spent many hours in the car. Great fun to drive once you got used to the rubber donuts. We were such gear heads that we would take turns standing on the side of the road and drive by at full throttle so we could hear what it sounded like! A note on the Lotus badge on the hood. It was black in 1969 because that's the year Jimmy Clark died. The last time I saw ithe car was when he was showing it to me in his garage with the head off. I'm so glad to see that Jay bought this car and restored it! It brings tears to my eyes. Randy, RIP, would approve.
It's hard not to wish someone like you had gotten it or that they had kept it, but perhaps the money was much needed and who knows how much they got for it. It's always sad when someone goes in an untimely manner. Anyway, a really cool car.
I'm so so happy to see that you have restored Randy's Lotus so wonderfully! I know that mom and Randy loved that car and it's incredible to see it in its glory. Mom always spoke highly of you in regards to how you treated her and Randy. 🤗
One of the reasons that Lotus sold so many was because Diana Rigg drove one as Mrs. Peel in The Avengers. That was millions of dollars (Pounds) of free advertising. After all these years, I'm still in love with Mrs. Peel and her car.
Driving through the English country side in a Lotus with Emma Peel in the passenger seat heading out to have a picnic. Man ! How cool would that have been in the 60's ?!
I'm so Impressed by Jim Hall, great engineer, craftsman, artist! What a pleasure to watch what he does and that he works with Jay on all these great projects. Thank you Jay and Jim ! Maarten
Such a lucky guy to have a genius mechanic to make a great car even better. Love, love love this car. Diana Rigg and Lotus Elan. What a beautiful dream world. Hope you do a segment when the white one is finished.
I really respect Leno and his crew for making these videos. They are very thorough and are made for auto enthusiasts that would like to learn what is out there. There is a lot of knowledge and history in his garage, I hope he always keeps the idea of it. Well done, thumbs up so Jay can see!!
Jay and Harry(Harry's Garage) have such a genuine love, and passion of real drivers cars, it's amazing they haven't merged into a single show to dominate all. Both are humble, and extraordinarily positioned to teach the world about what's important, ethical, and right about our love of cars, as well as seat of the pants unbiased truths where makers went wrong. It's almost like they were separated at birth :)
As Colin Chapman was fond of saying 'If you make a car more powerful it will be faster on the straights, if you make it lighter it will be faster everywhere'.
Love the sound of that motor. But I can tell Jay really enjoy's driving this drivers car - nearly every scene you hear that throaty roar! Even getting onto the interstate you can see the car pitched over and the rear end gently stepping out. It looks so graceful (and ton's of fun). It what driving is all about for sure!
Don't know what cams are in Jay's elan but I had 120° of overlap on my '67 SE and a custom header 4-2 pjpe exhaust system with 4 puny glass packs that were barely 1/4" wider than the pipes themselves. When you let off the throttle it barked blaaap. Ah, you had to be there. But I don't know if it was unique to mine but the sound of the starter made you feel like you were in the cockpit of a spitfire and I am not referring to the car.
Jay thanks again for allowing me to see your personal collection. I'm always in awe at your knowledge and ability to save all this automotive history!!! Thank all the guys in the shop too they get the job done right!
I had a '72 Midget as well. A lot of fun to tinker with, but never wanted to drive it more than 15 miles from home! I spent far too much money on it, did some work on my own and kept it up best I could. A few weeks after I sold it, the steering box fell apart - luckily in a neighborhood, and no one was hurt. I believe it is still on the road!
I agree. Jay is not "rubbing" anyone noses. He is sharing his valuable collection to fellow enthusiasts. Not all his cars are really expensive (Chevy Corvair...etc) but they are all cool/or historically significant, and usually fun to drive.
Memory lane for me. I had a '68 that I bought in 1971 for $1400 when I was in college. It was a white coupe. I drove it every day for about 3 years. I raced every car on the streets around Philadelphia that would accept my challenge and, yes, I did beat "Vettes. Drove it across the country twice and did 115 mph on the interstate in Montana. That car was almost more fun than it was headaches. It cost me dough stacks to keep running and I finally sold it when I was living in the Bronx and parking on the street. Got $1450! Thanks, Jay!
In the UK these were sold as complete cars or a unfinished kit from the factory, thus avoiding purchase tax. The advert said the buyer & a friend could finish assembly in a weekend. They can still be seen in classic motorsport events in Britain, as for being slow & girly, 232 bhp per metric ton & 7 ish sec 0-60mph is no slouch.
One winter I was up in Duluth, MN and saw some cars with racing numbers on them heading toward Lake Superior, so I followed one there. A racing course had been plowed out of the snow; they were ice racing. Almost all the cars were front wheel drive, but I saw one tiny Lotus Elan racing there too. The largest car was a Olds Toronado. When it went off the course the front end flew up the snow embankment. They towed a few cars back on the track that day. I was surprised to see such a lightweight, delicate and expensive car as the Lotus tangling it up with all the other heavier cars on the course.
Russ Cattell Russ that's a problem is England taxes, had they no taxes they could have great cars like the Germans do, instead taxes backfired on the Brit's
Brian, I remember as a boy in the 60's reading my father's car mags seeing an advert for it, the pic showed the incomplete car arriving on a trailer. Trying to persuade old dad, we could do one in the garage, but alas no joy.
Over seas visiting my folks. Perfect morning to rewatch this video. Heading over to the Lotus Shop in Hethel tomorrow. Unfortunately I’m leaving before being able to do the tour on Saturday. Thanks, Jay. G
Keep doing the in-depth tours! I really like how you put it up on the lift to show what was done and what it looks like underneath. I hope this can be done in future episodes. I like to know how the cars work and what makes them so unique. Great episode!
Thumbs up on the Capri reccomendation! I owned a V6 73 back in the late 90's, LOVED IT! First one I drove was my own dad's 76 Capri II (V6) while pulling a 24' Butterfly sailboat (was the first time pulling a trailer, and first time driving a manual transmission) The Ford/Mercury Capri was an exceptional car for it's time. Very under-rated. My 73 v6 was a BLAST to drive!!!
I am seldom jealous but having owned a good few of them over the years I can safely say that none of them were as good as this one! The pop-up headlight comment made me laugh... any leak in the vacuum system that kept the headlamps up meant they would start to drop down at high speed. A fail safe system would make lights up the default position. Driving fast at night could be very exciting. Nor did he mention one of the joys of the Elan: lift off oversteer. Not for the fainthearted but when it went well it was the most exhilarating driving experience.
The more I watch these videos, the more I appreciate Jay's ethos towards his vehicles. As for the Elan, not much beats driving a small, lightweight British sports car. No, airbags, crumple zones, ABS, seatbelts.... A car that quickly focuses your attention on what you're doing... (I'm a tad biased...)
I had a 1968 Lotus Elan S4, in red, purchased at about the end 1967 or the beginning of 1968, in Miami Florida. The specs at time, and even ones I see now, give it's weight at 1442 pounds or thereabouts, maybe that's with the ragtop as opposed to the hardtop. Jay is right, it did feel like driving a go cart. The ride was soft for a British sports car, but you could feel every texture of the road. I used the same rationale for safety as Jay proposed, that being able to maneuver very quickly made up for it's small size and fragility. Before I bought it I was comparing and test driving a few other cars including an MG, the Triumph TR4 and TR6, the Alfa Romeo Spider, which had a solid rear axle unlike the independent rear suspension of the British sports cars. The Alfa Romeo Spider felt like driving an ordinary car, not even a sports car really. Of course now the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which I currently own, is probably the best handling and most comfortable sports sedan. The ride and handling of the Lotus was much more refined than the other British roadsters mentioned. The prices, if I recall, at the in the 1967, beginning of 1968, were something like $2800 for the MG and the Triumph TR4, $3200 for the TR6, $3600 for a late year 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider, and $4000 for the Lotus Elan.
You can't expect a British car to weather the American weather and the long highways, but the Chapman cars had some weak points, immediately electrical problems and then after some thousand miles the doughnuts you've mentioned that were just a bad design would perish very quickly, resulting in a vague rear axle. I think you guys just nailed this video and the car sensibly stock with little mods.
At least engine was pretty reliable, because it still was Ford Cortina GT's 1500 and 1600 litre with Lotus/Cosworth head, Lotus's own 900 series had much more teething problems and is much less reliable than Ford of Britain's powerplants. Also, Elan was base for another legend, Ford Lotus Cortina.
@คีรีวงศ์ โมระศาก British don't drink warm beer. Ale on the other hand has to be served at room temperature as that is the only way it can be stored. Just don't drink ale. Tastes like piss anyway. Drink cold beer instead.
All I can say is Damn what a bad ass Lotus! Jim did a great job on this rebuild and I can't wait to see the white Elan rebuild to do 200-210hp. Thank you Jay!
ceetee1459 CeeTee, Yes ! I had a 1969 Series III Bob Hall up on Muholland disliked my new Elan as my previous car was a BRE 5101800cc twin webers, 5 speed I sold to get the Elan, I told Bob you're Nutzo Elan's styling is timeless 54 years later still a pleasing shape. Years later Bob Hall a consultant to Mazda sold the idea that was mine I might add, and the Miata was created Hmm smart on my part ? I just last year purchased a 1966 Elan series II BRG Roadster I love the Motor Car !!!
Thanks Jay you bought back a few memories, not that I was lucky enough to drive Lotus but my first car was an Australian Mk1 Morris Cooper S. As you said there is great satisfaction when you work on your own car. I used to club race it and was only 1/100th sec off fastest for class, beaten by another S but he was on slicks! so I could hold my head up.
My shop teacher from high school has one but its a hardtop fast back or gt idk...he rebuilt it from scratch when I was there I helped rebuild it they are sweet cars
I love how he calls it "almost the perfect sports car" then dumps a few hundred thousand dollars and a couple years of work into it. It's part of what makes Jay a legend.
Jay, you hit the proverbial nail right on the head, regarding the mindset people(Collectively), have where their definition of a light weight sports car is concerned. You mentioned that this little gem only weighs 1550 pounds, kind of like a 550 Porsche Spider. Now, 3000 pounds seems to be considered light weight where sports cars are concerned, but the tires, rims, and brakes have to keep getting wider, bigger, and heavier in order to compensate for all that mass. Nimble, folks, that's the operative word for true sports cars, light weight and nimble. Jay Leno's Garage, thanks for sharing. :)
Thank you Jay! Bought one 2 years ago on a trip to the UK and don't have the time to restore it. Wanted to sell it but still didn't came around to do it. Now I never will! Thank for the videos
The burnout at the end of the video made me smile. It was mixed with a little bit of a laugh, but a good smile none-the-less. That looks like a very fun car.
great sound thanks Jay for taking the time to make videos.I get up in the morning in Boston and hope you have a new video up to watch with the morning coffee,
I worked has a British car salesman back in 1973 and I sold one of these. I will never forget the day I drove this for the first time. I did not expect this kind of power out of a 4 cylinder.
My 1982 Fiat X1/9 weighed only 1800 lbs., and was originally built as a safety car prototype with a heavy steel body, which carried over to the production car. It had big heavy aluminum front and rear 5 mph bumpers. The engine was 1500cc. Not bad. As it rusted, it got even lighter. ;) I know what you mean by go-kart handling. I pulled up on a green light once in the far right lane going 35 or so with cars to my left blocking the view to the left of the intersection, when a police car with his lights on but no siren travelling perpendicular to the street I was on blew through his red light, and I was on a collision course with him. I yanked the wheel hard right and the car hugged the curb around the corner doing 30 mph. I didn't have time to touch the brakes. If I had been driving an American car I would have T-boned that police car. Instead I ended up parallel with the police car with me in the parking lane and him in the right lane.
Thank you Mr Leno. A lot of information and most enjoyable video. I never had an Elan, but did have two series 4 sevens, both with Big Valve 1558 engines (standard 126 bhp). The most glorious sounds both accelerating and decelerating. Recently acquired a Caterham HPC, which, although much quicker, was not the same and I didn't keep it. But, still get more enjoyment from fast bikes.
It's true. I was the passenger in a BMW 320i going between cities on a major highway. Judging by the feel of the ride I thought, God, I wish he'd pick up the pace a bit; this is going to take us all day. I always owned cheap used stuff to get me from A to B. Then I got a glimpse of the speedometer and we were going 40 miles per hour faster than what I guessed from the sensation. All right! Those suckers are planted onto the road and nothing moves that isn't supposed to.
Awesome, I looove the Elan, and hope to have one myself someday. To me, it's all you could ever want in a British sports car, and they don't even cost a fortune.
Having owned a '74 Elite, chassis #57 I made my passengers nervous as I pressed the g-force in corners. And yes, it broke down when driving a long distance. But with a motorcycle masterlink and a couple of nuts and bolts, ...back on the road again. Thanks, Jay.
Circa 1965: My cousin Molly was Colin Chapman's executive admin (I think it was "personal secretary" back then.) and her company car was a white Elan EXACTLY like the one Emma Peel drove. This ten-year old would just explode with pride when she'd come to visit, and that car was in our driveway. FAB!
Jay is a decent guy who has worked very hard for what he has. He could have chosen not to share his collection with anybody. I appreciate Jay's knowledge and love of all cars, not only the exotic ones but cars his old man (or mine) would have driven. Being jealous of others will only destroy you. You have the freedom to achieve as much or as little as you wish. Go now.
Set out to get an Elan, but ended up with a new 1970 Elan +2 - to me a more attractive car, and no less entertaining. I kept it for 21 years, put 70,000 miles on it, three engine rebuilds (oil leaks were unstoppable), went through many sets of Rotoflex couplings and tires pulling Gs in corners - fantastic handling, I guess I was lucky - the electrics never let me down. The next car that had a comparable appeal to me was a Boxster - another "slot car" handler. Now, much older, I get my kicks with a Tesla S P90D "insane".
Thanks Jay, that brought back memories. I never owned one, but I sure did want one after driving one that was left off at my friend's shop to be "converted" from generator to a GM alternator.
Randy, the original ower, was my good friend in college. We bonded over that car! I had been driving formula fords and when Randy found that out he would have me drive his pride and joy when he wanted to go really fast. Four wheel drifts in top gear! It was a blast. I'm lucky enough to have spent many hours in the car. Great fun to drive once you got used to the rubber donuts. We were such gear heads that we would take turns standing on the side of the road and drive by at full throttle so we could hear what it sounded like! A note on the Lotus badge on the hood. It was black in 1969 because that's the year Jimmy Clark died. The last time I saw ithe car was when he was showing it to me in his garage with the head off. I'm so glad to see that Jay bought this car and restored it! It brings tears to my eyes. Randy, RIP, would approve.
It's hard not to wish someone like you had gotten it or that they had kept it, but perhaps the money was much needed and who knows how much they got for it. It's always sad when someone goes in an untimely manner. Anyway, a really cool car.
I'm so so happy to see that you have restored Randy's Lotus so wonderfully! I know that mom and Randy loved that car and it's incredible to see it in its glory. Mom always spoke highly of you in regards to how you treated her and Randy. 🤗
can we get a LIKE for Jay's loyal friend, and mechanic, Jim... for so many years, the man helping our buddy, Jay's dreams come true!?
Love Jay Leno. A genuine motorhead. Knows his stuff. Seems like a decent fellow, too!
Agree with you Martin. Seems a genuinely nice chap.
i WOULD HAVE SAID THAT
The best!!
I loved the Elan. Back in 64 in high school, everyone wanted a muscle car. I wanted an Elan. Read the R&T review many times.
One of the reasons that Lotus sold so many was because Diana Rigg drove one as Mrs. Peel in The Avengers. That was millions of dollars (Pounds) of free advertising. After all these years, I'm still in love with Mrs. Peel and her car.
Edward Peterson Mrs Peel...mmmm.....
Yeah. Because adults are so inclined to go out and buy a car that was in a movie.
Wasn't the Avengers a TV series in the 60's
Driving through the English country side in a Lotus with Emma Peel in the passenger seat heading out to have a picnic. Man ! How cool would that have been in the 60's ?!
Miss Peel. She wasn't married.
I'm so Impressed by Jim Hall, great engineer, craftsman, artist! What a pleasure to watch what he does and that he works with Jay on all these great projects.
Thank you Jay and Jim !
Maarten
A legendary car in British motoring history. I completely love the Elan.
i worked at the Lotus Factory for 15 years and left in 2011, I loved it
+John Miller but you left
yes I did, I was made redundant when my department was closed
Loco Roco
yes I did, I was made redundant when my department was closed
sorry to hear
Such a lucky guy to have a genius mechanic to make a great car even better. Love, love love this car. Diana Rigg and Lotus Elan. What a beautiful dream world. Hope you do a segment when the white one is finished.
I was thinking the same thing the Avengers was definitely a car show with the Lotus and Bentley, but how about Honey West and the slab side Shelby.
I really respect Leno and his crew for making these videos. They are very thorough and are made for auto enthusiasts that would like to learn what is out there. There is a lot of knowledge and history in his garage, I hope he always keeps the idea of it. Well done, thumbs up so Jay can see!!
An absolutely sweet sounding engine- one of the best four cylinder engine notes of all time, up their with the Alfa's. Great job!
Jay and Harry(Harry's Garage) have such a genuine love, and passion of real drivers cars, it's amazing they haven't merged into a single show to dominate all. Both are humble, and extraordinarily positioned to teach the world about what's important, ethical, and right about our love of cars, as well as seat of the pants unbiased truths where makers went wrong. It's almost like they were separated at birth :)
As Colin Chapman was fond of saying 'If you make a car more powerful it will be faster on the straights, if you make it lighter it will be faster everywhere'.
i love that i can come here and never get the pre-video ads - thanks JAY
Love the sound of that motor. But I can tell Jay really enjoy's driving this drivers car - nearly every scene you hear that throaty roar! Even getting onto the interstate you can see the car pitched over and the rear end gently stepping out. It looks so graceful (and ton's of fun). It what driving is all about for sure!
Wow, Jay really gets it. Each one of these I watch I gain more respect.
I LOVE the sound of the after fire when letting off the accelerator.
Don't know what cams are in Jay's elan but I had 120° of overlap on my '67 SE and a custom header 4-2 pjpe exhaust system with 4 puny glass packs that were barely 1/4" wider than the pipes themselves. When you let off the throttle it barked blaaap. Ah, you had to be there. But I don't know if it was unique to mine but the sound of the starter made you feel like you were in the cockpit of a spitfire and I am not referring to the car.
Jay thanks again for allowing me to see your personal collection. I'm always in awe at your knowledge and ability to save all this automotive history!!! Thank all the guys in the shop too they get the job done right!
absolutely loved this episode. my neighbour had an Elan and assures me it had the best steering and handling of any car ever
I had a '72 Midget as well. A lot of fun to tinker with, but never wanted to drive it more than 15 miles from home! I spent far too much money on it, did some work on my own and kept it up best I could. A few weeks after I sold it, the steering box fell apart - luckily in a neighborhood, and no one was hurt. I believe it is still on the road!
They just left the steering box laying in the road?
Wonderful engine set up Jay you really are the man when it comes to vintage
One of the best sports car designs ever!!
I agree. Jay is not "rubbing" anyone noses. He is sharing his valuable collection to fellow enthusiasts. Not all his cars are really expensive (Chevy Corvair...etc) but they are all cool/or historically significant, and usually fun to drive.
Along with his McLaren and the GT40, this is one of my favorite cars in Jay's stable. Kudos.... but please finish the1966 Lotus Elan 26R!
Thanks Jay. I had a series 1 in 1967. Loved that car but for some stupid reason I sold it when I was drafted in 68. Sorta wish I had one now.
Watching in 2019 - we were all so young when this was shot.
This video is not that old maybe 10 years or less.
Memory lane for me. I had a '68 that I bought in 1971 for $1400 when I was in college. It was a white coupe. I drove it every day for about 3 years. I raced every car on the streets around Philadelphia that would accept my challenge and, yes, I did beat "Vettes. Drove it across the country twice and did 115 mph on the interstate in Montana. That car was almost more fun than it was headaches. It cost me dough stacks to keep running and I finally sold it when I was living in the Bronx and parking on the street. Got $1450! Thanks, Jay!
In the UK these were sold as complete cars or a unfinished kit from the factory, thus avoiding purchase tax. The advert said the buyer & a friend could finish assembly in a weekend. They can still be seen in classic motorsport events in Britain, as for being slow & girly, 232 bhp per metric ton & 7 ish sec 0-60mph is no slouch.
One winter I was up in Duluth, MN and saw some cars with racing numbers on them heading toward Lake Superior, so I followed one there. A racing course had been plowed out of the snow; they were ice racing. Almost all the cars were front wheel drive, but I saw one tiny Lotus Elan racing there too.
The largest car was a Olds Toronado. When it went off the course the front end flew up the snow embankment. They towed a few cars back on the track that day. I was surprised to see such a lightweight, delicate and expensive car as the Lotus tangling it up with all the other heavier cars on the course.
Russ Cattell Russ that's a problem is England taxes, had they no taxes they could have great cars like the Germans do, instead taxes backfired on the Brit's
Carolyn E
Yes, I agree, I left England 13 years ago.
Is that correct for the Elan ? I know the Seven was available as a kit, but thought Lotus had moved away from that by the time of the Elan.
Brian, I remember as a boy in the 60's reading my father's car mags seeing an advert for it, the pic showed the incomplete car arriving on a trailer. Trying to persuade old dad, we could do one in the garage, but alas no joy.
Over seas visiting my folks. Perfect morning to rewatch this video. Heading over to the Lotus Shop in Hethel tomorrow. Unfortunately I’m leaving before being able to do the tour on Saturday. Thanks, Jay. G
I was just watching 'wheeler dealers' on You Tube which shows a restoration of one of these Elans in England.Very interesting.
Keep doing the in-depth tours! I really like how you put it up on the lift to show what was done and what it looks like underneath. I hope this can be done in future episodes. I like to know how the cars work and what makes them so unique. Great episode!
This guy is great, he should have his own TV show!
Very cool car. I dunno why it took me this long to see this episode. But I'm glad I've finally seen it.
now that's a super sweet sounding car!
Thumbs up on the Capri reccomendation! I owned a V6 73 back in the late 90's, LOVED IT! First one I drove was my own dad's 76 Capri II (V6) while pulling a 24' Butterfly sailboat (was the first time pulling a trailer, and first time driving a manual transmission) The Ford/Mercury Capri was an exceptional car for it's time. Very under-rated. My 73 v6 was a BLAST to drive!!!
I am seldom jealous but having owned a good few of them over the years I can safely say that none of them were as good as this one!
The pop-up headlight comment made me laugh... any leak in the vacuum system that kept the headlamps up meant they would start to drop down at high speed. A fail safe system would make lights up the default position. Driving fast at night could be very exciting.
Nor did he mention one of the joys of the Elan: lift off oversteer. Not for the fainthearted but when it went well it was the most exhilarating driving experience.
The more I watch these videos, the more I appreciate Jay's ethos towards his vehicles.
As for the Elan, not much beats driving a small, lightweight British sports car.
No, airbags, crumple zones, ABS, seatbelts.... A car that quickly focuses your attention on what you're doing...
(I'm a tad biased...)
"we didnt have to do much work on this"just a new motor new brakes and new suspension
I had a 1968 Lotus Elan S4, in red, purchased at about the end 1967 or the beginning of 1968, in Miami Florida. The specs at time, and even ones I see now, give it's weight at 1442 pounds or thereabouts, maybe that's with the ragtop as opposed to the hardtop. Jay is right, it did feel like driving a go cart. The ride was soft for a British sports car, but you could feel every texture of the road. I used the same rationale for safety as Jay proposed, that being able to maneuver very quickly made up for it's small size and fragility.
Before I bought it I was comparing and test driving a few other cars including an MG, the Triumph TR4 and TR6, the Alfa Romeo Spider, which had a solid rear axle unlike the independent rear suspension of the British sports cars. The Alfa Romeo Spider felt like driving an ordinary car, not even a sports car really. Of course now the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which I currently own, is probably the best handling and most comfortable sports sedan. The ride and handling of the Lotus was much more refined than the other British roadsters mentioned.
The prices, if I recall, at the in the 1967, beginning of 1968, were something like $2800 for the MG and the Triumph TR4, $3200 for the TR6, $3600 for a late year 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider, and $4000 for the Lotus Elan.
You can't expect a British car to weather the American weather and the long highways, but the Chapman cars had some weak points, immediately electrical problems and then after some thousand miles the doughnuts you've mentioned that were just a bad design would perish very quickly, resulting in a vague rear axle. I think you guys just nailed this video and the car sensibly stock with little mods.
At least engine was pretty reliable, because it still was Ford Cortina GT's 1500 and 1600 litre with Lotus/Cosworth head, Lotus's own 900 series had much more teething problems and is much less reliable than Ford of Britain's powerplants. Also, Elan was base for another legend, Ford Lotus Cortina.
@คีรีวงศ์ โมระศาก British don't drink warm beer. Ale on the other hand has to be served at room temperature as that is the only way it can be stored. Just don't drink ale. Tastes like piss anyway. Drink cold beer instead.
one of your best reviews looks like you guys are having alot of fun ! I like when Jim is in the videos
Sounds great.
Slow cars that feel fast are more fun than fast cars that need to go dangerously fast. Unless you have track access.
All I can say is Damn what a bad ass Lotus! Jim did a great job on this rebuild and I can't wait to see the white Elan rebuild to do 200-210hp. Thank you Jay!
I loved this video; it is my favorite.
THIS is a sports car!
Hey Jay, the two key things you said.
1. Sense of driving.
2. Bonding with the car.
I absolutely agree. I miss that a lot. Today's cars have neither.
The Lotus Elan, one of the greatest sports cars ever made!
ceetee1459 CeeTee, Yes ! I had a 1969 Series III Bob Hall up on Muholland disliked my new Elan as my previous car was a BRE 5101800cc twin webers, 5 speed I sold to get the Elan, I told Bob you're Nutzo Elan's styling is timeless 54 years later still a pleasing shape. Years later Bob Hall a consultant to Mazda sold the idea that was mine I might add, and the Miata was created Hmm smart on my part ? I just last year purchased a 1966 Elan series II BRG Roadster I love the Motor Car !!!
Thanks Jay you bought back a few memories, not that I was lucky enough to drive Lotus but my first car was an Australian Mk1 Morris Cooper S. As you said there is great satisfaction when you work on your own car. I used to club race it and was only 1/100th sec off fastest for class, beaten by another S but he was on slicks! so I could hold my head up.
My shop teacher from high school has one but its a hardtop fast back or gt idk...he rebuilt it from scratch when I was there I helped rebuild it they are sweet cars
I love how he calls it "almost the perfect sports car" then dumps a few hundred thousand dollars and a couple years of work into it. It's part of what makes Jay a legend.
nice car one of my favorite designs !
Jay, you hit the proverbial nail right on the head, regarding the mindset people(Collectively), have where their definition of a light weight sports car is concerned. You mentioned that this little gem only weighs 1550 pounds, kind of like a 550 Porsche Spider. Now, 3000 pounds seems to be considered light weight where sports cars are concerned, but the tires, rims, and brakes have to keep getting wider, bigger, and heavier in order to compensate for all that mass.
Nimble, folks, that's the operative word for true sports cars, light weight and nimble. Jay Leno's Garage, thanks for sharing. :)
Electric windows haha. Genuinely wasn't expecting that.
Thank you Jay! Bought one 2 years ago on a trip to the UK and don't have the time to restore it. Wanted to sell it but still didn't came around to do it. Now I never will! Thank for the videos
That exhaust burble though :D
The burnout at the end of the video made me smile. It was mixed with a little bit of a laugh, but a good smile none-the-less. That looks like a very fun car.
I had an Elan Sprint in '72, really super on the road, sadly my ex broke it. Still married the cow.
John you really had an original Sprint? I sell Civics for a living. Mr honda was inspired by this car when he created the Iconic Honda Civic 1976
great sound thanks Jay for taking the time to make videos.I get up in the morning in Boston and hope you have a new video up to watch with the morning coffee,
16:00 guy in the next car grilln hard lol....
Hamburgers or Hot Dogs?
I worked has a British car salesman back in 1973 and I sold one of these. I will never forget the day I drove this for the first time. I did not expect this kind of power out of a 4 cylinder.
OH MY GOSH!....MRS PEEL'S RIDE!
Yep, right down to the color in @ least 1 season!
Thank you Kay for showing us so many beautiful machines.
My 1982 Fiat X1/9 weighed only 1800 lbs., and was originally built as a safety car prototype with a heavy steel body, which carried over to the production car. It had big heavy aluminum front and rear 5 mph bumpers. The engine was 1500cc. Not bad. As it rusted, it got even lighter. ;)
I know what you mean by go-kart handling. I pulled up on a green light once in the far right lane going 35 or so with cars to my left blocking the view to the left of the intersection, when a police car with his lights on but no siren travelling perpendicular to the street I was on blew through his red light, and I was on a collision course with him. I yanked the wheel hard right and the car hugged the curb around the corner doing 30 mph. I didn't have time to touch the brakes. If I had been driving an American car I would have T-boned that police car. Instead I ended up parallel with the police car with me in the parking lane and him in the right lane.
Thank you Mr Leno. A lot of information and most enjoyable video. I never had an Elan, but did have two series 4 sevens, both with Big Valve 1558 engines (standard 126 bhp). The most glorious sounds both accelerating and decelerating. Recently acquired a Caterham HPC, which, although much quicker, was not the same and I didn't keep it. But, still get more enjoyment from fast bikes.
"60 feels like 100 as opposed to a modern car where 100 feels like 60"
It's true. I was the passenger in a BMW 320i going between cities on a major highway. Judging by the feel of the ride I thought, God, I wish he'd pick up the pace a bit; this is going to take us all day. I always owned cheap used stuff to get me from A to B. Then I got a glimpse of the speedometer and we were going 40 miles per hour faster than what I guessed from the sensation. All right! Those suckers are planted onto the road and nothing moves that isn't supposed to.
Neat little car Jay. Every time I watch one of your videos, I find yet another car that I can't live without. Curse you Jay Leno!
4:40 : OMG It's Jay Leno and mini-Jay!
+therrydicule Dude... I was just about to say that lol.
zzzhuh Luckily, Jay is a good guy... Otherwise, he might start to ask for 1 million cars.
I love that Jay isn't afraid to drive his cars
Love how clearly jay leno is too good for shitty youtube advertisements...great channel
Sure sounds good Jay, looks like a lot of fun to drive, especially with that Cali sun
There is no radiator shielding. Half of the air coming in the radiator intake misses the radiator. Of course the thing will over heat.
Yes, complete useless heavy overkill that inadvertently fixes a problem that's only a problem when standing still.
I loved these as a kid and still love them now. Along with the E type, Esprit and the DB5 just so British 😀👍
Fantastic ........love my elan ....my wife and pals think I should sell mine. .....no way.......
Awesome, I looove the Elan, and hope to have one myself someday.
To me, it's all you could ever want in a British sports car, and they don't even cost a fortune.
His neighbors must hate him with all those burnout marks.
Having owned a '74 Elite, chassis #57 I made my passengers nervous as I pressed the g-force in corners. And yes, it broke down when driving a long distance. But with a motorcycle masterlink and a couple of nuts and bolts, ...back on the road again. Thanks, Jay.
When I see this car I think of Emma Peel and the Avengers.
A cardboard image of Emma Peel should be in the garage.
She really made the car stand out.
@@kevinmoore4887
She (DIANA RIGG) certainly made part of me "stand out".
Circa 1965: My cousin Molly was Colin Chapman's executive admin (I think it was "personal secretary" back then.) and her company car was a white Elan EXACTLY like the one Emma Peel drove. This ten-year old would just explode with pride when she'd come to visit, and that car was in our driveway. FAB!
Triumph, meh. MG, eh. This is my type of British Roadster. Light, powerful, high revving. Glad to see Jay gets how it should be driven.
MG made some great sports cars in the day!
pointless comment - the Lotus would have cost twice what the TR or MG would have.
MGB GT was a nice looking car, no power though.
Jay is a decent guy who has worked very hard for what he has. He could have chosen not to share his collection with anybody. I appreciate Jay's knowledge and love of all cars, not only the exotic ones but cars his old man (or mine) would have driven. Being jealous of others will only destroy you. You have the freedom to achieve as much or as little as you wish. Go now.
I swear that right front tire came off the ground on that entrance ramp
chipper442 IT DID
That looks like so much fun to drive. Great little car with big personality.
Jay will you ever own a cortina lotus quick car for its day.
Lotus Cortina!
Rekindled another memory of days gone by. Thanks Mr. Leno from a 50 something motorhead.
The elan was far superior to the lotus Europa,better quality. Use to work on lotus on the docks when they arrived in canada
Great video as always. Beautiful car. As a former Lotus owner, I can relate to the passion for the car.
Is that a Fram oil filter? You guys cheaped out on your oil filter? That's the last thing I expected to see in one of Jay Leno's engines.
I want one so bad. This and a Cortina! Gotta love a twincam.
Haha, how can all of Jay's cars be 'everyday' cars? He must hire people to drive them each on a daily basis.
It's a job I wouldn't mind having!
I think Jay means that he doesn't restore them for the showroom. They go out on the road and are not kept in bubble wrap, under a dust sheet.
Set out to get an Elan, but ended up with a new 1970 Elan +2 - to me a more attractive car, and no less entertaining. I kept it for 21 years, put 70,000 miles on it, three engine rebuilds (oil leaks were unstoppable), went through many sets of Rotoflex couplings and tires pulling Gs in corners - fantastic handling, I guess I was lucky - the electrics never let me down. The next car that had a comparable appeal to me was a Boxster - another "slot car" handler. Now, much older, I get my kicks with a Tesla S P90D "insane".
Who gives a toss about aero dynamics,i want pop up headlights.
The vacuum lifted lights sink back into the body up a long hill
sammolloy1 perfect,i wonder if i can fit them on my alfa,also good for downhill braking.
nonp LOL
Cool car, great restoration.
No mention of Emma peel?
+ghraffydd
Mrs. Peel;
we're needed.
See above, more than once. Emma Peel mmmmmm
God that sound ... So goooooooood
Dude, get some new lighting in your garage. We just switched to LED lighting in our hangar...its way better!
Love Leno, I'm very jealous he gets to drive so many AWESOME cars!!!
Anyone else notice that creepy guy standing in the background?
BloodstainedSinner lol, it’s a cardboard cutout of Jay
One of my very favorites, thanks for posting.
Wow Jay, the car is Badly leaning to the drivers side. Lay off the Pizza.
Thanks Jay, that brought back memories. I never owned one, but I sure did want one after driving one that was left off at my friend's shop to be "converted" from generator to a GM alternator.