An Elite-type fiberglass monocoque having proved insufficiently rigid when applied to an open car, Lotus boss Colin Chapman came up with a simple but effective steel backbone frame for the company's new Elan sports car. Suspension was all-independent with unequal-length wishbones at the front, while a wide-based lower wishbone and modified Chapman Strut - as used in Lotus Grand Prix cars - was employed at the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering was sourced from the Triumph Vitesse, and there were Girling disc brakes all round. The Elan's engine was a highly-modified 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) Ford Cortina unit topped with Lotus' own twin-camshaft cylinder head, and both the gearbox and differential came also from Ford. Introduced in November 1964, the S2 featured numerous detail styling changes and improved brakes. With 105bhp on tap, light in weight and endowed with exceptional roadholding and handling, the Elan would prove an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 be