Lot details Registration No: GCB 5E Chassis No: 36.6910 Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
The Elan was introduced at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show as a replacement for the Elite. Based around a steel backbone chassis clad with lightweight glassfibre bodywork, it boasted such niceties as all-round independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and pop-up headlights. Powered by a 1600cc (initially 1500cc) 'twin-cam', Ford-based, four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed (later five-speed) manual transmission, the featherweight (1,500 lb) Lotus redefined its class in terms of ride, handling and performance.
Initially, Lotus opted not to make a racing version of the Elan, leaving the task to such established teams as Ian Walker Racing and Chequered Flag. The potential was soon clear, however, and Chapman duly sanctioned a factory race car, dubbed the 26R. A Roadster with roll-over bar and separate hard top, it featured adjustable suspension, thicker anti-roll bars, wider wheel arches and the choice of Cosworth or BRM tuning package for the engine. Fully homologated in 1964, it weighed a mere 600kg and could sport anything up to 175bhp. Lotus never raced the car, but many independent teams put them to good use. The most successful 26R driver was John Miles who won the 1966 Autosport Championship in a Willment-prepared example. Some 97 26Rs are thought to have made all told.
The 1967 Elan offered is a Coupe built to `26R' specification by Gary Dunlop Motorsport specifically to compete in the historic section of the Circuit of Ireland Rally, which it won. It was also outright victor of the 2006 TDC Rally and third overall in 2008. The car features competition seats, roll cage, tripmeter, hydraulic handbrake, light pod and a 153bhp engine. Gary Dunlop has maintained the car for each of its four competition owners to date. A new home is now required so this David can continue slaying Goliaths.
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