The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. This style of construction was to be repeated in subsequent Lotus models for nearly three decades. At approximately 1,500 lb (680 kg), the Elan embodied Colin Chapman's minimum weight design philosophy. The Elan was technologically advanced with a 1,558 cc engine, four-wheel discbrakes, rack and pinion steering, and 4-wheel independent suspension.

Because of its successful design and rigorous attention to cost control on the body, chassis, engine and transmission, the Elan become Lotus' first commercial success and contributed to the funding of its achievements in racing over the next ten years. It revived a company stretched thin by the more exotic, expensive to build, and rather unreliable Lotus Elite, which used a fiberglass monocoque body/chassis and all aluminium Coventry Climax engine.

The original Elan 1500 was introduced in 1962 as a roadster. After a very short production run of just 22 cars the engine was enlarged and the car was re-designated the Elan 1600. An optional hardtop was also offered. The Elan 1600 of 1963 was replaced by the Elan S2 in 1964.  In 1965 the Type 36, a fixed head coupé version of the car, was introduced while in 1966 the drop head coupé Type 26 was replaced by the Type 45. Both Types, 36 & 45, were offered initially in S3 form, followed in 1968 in S4 form, and finally in 1970 as the Elan Sprint.  Production of the Sprint ceased in 1973. The standard (Std) S2, S3 & S4 models were also available in a slightly more powerful and luxurious "Special Equipment" variant, generally referred to as the SE (e.g. Lotus Elan S3 SE).

In the UK the Elan was offered as a fully assembled vehicle and, for tax avoidance purposes, as a lower cost kit for final assembly by the customer.

• Specifications
• Bodywork
• Length : cm (in): 368 (145)
• Width : cm (in): 142 (56)
• Height : cm (in): 117 (46)
• Wheelbase : cm (in) : 231 (84)
• Weight: kg (lb) : 685 (1510)
• Mechanics.
• Displacement : inline four 1588 cc (95 cu in), front-mounted
• Valve gear : 8
• Fuel system : Weber DCOE carburetor
• Gearbox : 4-speed manual
• Drive wheels : rear-wheel drive
• Maximum power : 115 hp at 6000 rpm
• Maximum torque : 150 Nm at 4500 rpm
• Maximum speed : 193 km/h
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