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Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:19 am
by Elanintheforest
I hadn't realised just how similar the Toyota 2000GT chassis was to the Elans......they nicked it!
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/0 ... otus-elan/
Mark

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 3:56 pm
by jono
The Toyota 2000GT is probably my favourite classic car, just beautiful in concept and execution.

...and, just like that stand out stunner 2 years above you at school, totally unattainable

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 5:04 pm
by Elanintheforest
Totally agree, Jon, except for the standout stunner bit. I went to an all-boys school :D

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 5:22 pm
by elanfan1
Didn't stop you though did it? Tristram Hetherington-Smithers wasn't it?

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 6:09 pm
by Bud English
From the article: "You may find the idea that relatively obscure British sports car... " There it is again, that obscure adjective. Okay, I'm taking it as a complement. :lol:

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 6:54 pm
by Elanintheforest
elanfan1 wrote:Didn't stop you though did it? Tristram Hetherington-Smithers wasn't it?


Smudger to his mates

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 7:17 pm
by Spyder fan
That's Mark third in from the right can anyone name the rest? Which ones Smudger?

Image

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 7:27 pm
by Spyder fan
As a serious reply, I don't think Lotus can claim ownership of the backbone chassis, although it's pretty obvious that Toyota copied their design from the evidence in the article.

This is a picture of a 1939 Mercedes Benz 170V sports roadster rolling chassis. I see quite a few similarities.

Image

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:42 pm
by vincereynard
I read somewhere that the Toyota 2000GT DHC came about because Sean Connery could fit in the FHC.

Toyota were so keen on the product placement they had a DHC introduced on set within a few days!

It appears to have a second wishbone at the rear - like Spyder's effort.

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 2:05 am
by elanfan1
Spyder fan wrote:That's Mark third in from the right can anyone name the rest? Which ones Smudger?

Image


Well the blond one at the front looks like he's about to cry so my money's on him!

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:24 am
by trw99
That Merc chassis looks more like a ladder chassis with some rungs taken out and squashed up. Anyway, well done for finding it Alan!

I too went to an all boys school and still have fond memories of the stunner two years above ....






PS For some of you in the US, the last sentence was British irony

Re: Another Elan Article

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:59 am
by el-saturn
that mercedes only is similiar if viewed from the top: those are rectangular tubes and have very little to do with a MONOCOQUE!! ................ oh yes: both have 4 wheels!! sandy