Vehicle Description
1991 Lotus Elan Convertible
The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone
chassis with a fiberglass body. This style of construction was to
be repeated in subsequent Lotus models for nearly three decades. At
approximately 1,500 lb, the Elan embodied Colin Chapman's minimum
weight design philosophy. The Elan was technologically advanced
with a DOHC 1,558 cc engine, four-wheel disc brakes, rack and
pinion steering, and 4-wheel independent suspension. Gordon Murray,
designer of the McLaren F1 supercar, reportedly said that his only
disappointment with the McLaren F1 was that he could not give it
the perfect steering of the Lotus Elan.
For consignment, a low mileage example, (a mere 3,591 actual
miles), of the second generation of the Lotus Elan and this car is
in convertible form. A 1558cc Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, wide
stance and near perfect fiberglass body on a steel frame, and the
low weight to power ratio, and it lives up to its name of energy,
style and enthusiasm. Not unlike your friendly neighborhood Classic
Auto Mall writer penning these words of wisdom!
Exterior
Fiberglass and neoprene dyed in red covers the framing of this wide
bodied sports car. Flip up dual headlights, a fiberglass top
tonneau covering, small rear spoiler, and wrap around taillights
with another body matching neoprene rear bumper, and we are primed
for a curved tool through the countryside. Near perfection would
describe the black canvas convertible top and of course a clear
plastic rear window, the top seamlessly adheres to the fiberglass
bodywork and operates very smoothly. Lightweight alloy Ruote O.Z.
Wheels are wrapped by wide all-season rubber all around. Now we
give you this AACA 3 badge winner that is scoring 400 points!
Interior
In typical British style we expect an encounter black leather
accenting the door panels which are plenty of molded plastic. Black
pulls and actuators and some stitched leather panel inserts for the
door pull cove, and charcoal gray carpeting below. Inside smooth
black leather rounded top high back buckets create the passenger
and driver seating. In the center a console races forward and
houses a glovebox, handbrake, window toggles, mirror controls, and
leather booted gear shift. Black molded padded plastic provides the
design for the curvaceous dash which has black faced orange
lettered and numbered instruments. In the center dash rising from
the console are the temp dials, various buttons for functions, and
a Sony AM/FM/Multiple CD player. Just above the vents are a lineup
of round black bezel black faced orange hash marked gauges to keep
track of all the vitals as you speed around the countryside.
Charcoal gray carpeting covers all the floors.
Drivetrain
Under the hood squeezed to the back of the engine bay for weight
distribution, is a 1558cc Turbocharged 4-cylinder Isuzu/Lotus
engine. It has DOHC 16 valve performance, and on the back is a
5-speed manual transmission throwing power to the 3.833 geared
axle. All within a pristine clean non corroded engine bay.
Undercarriage
Pressed steel with some red overspray for the factory is seen for
the underbody. Independent suspension all around and power disc
braking is very adequate. A single shiny exhaust is seen, and all
is well underneath.
Drive-Ability
Despite the cold temps I put every top down particularly on these
British sports cars, even if I have to don my beret and gloves, it
enhances the experience. Call me a die hard, and it was worth it
for this drive as it performed in a cracking manner. All functions
were working as they should, and the car presents with a nice
throaty exhaust.
Low miles, low weight to power ratio, fiberglass body, convertible,
wood stance, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and it's a Lotus!
Don't dally for this one as it's gonna go fast, nearly as fast as
it handled the test track. Cheerio!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
