About 7:27 minutes into this interview for an upcoming issue of Classic Motorsports magazine, Tonight Show host and car guy Jay Leno reveals his favorite car - a Lotus Elan. The whole interview is about a half an hour long and is very entertaining...

http://classicmotorsports.net/video/leno/

Leno makes the analogy that it may be great to go out with a sexy Hollywood starlet (Lamborghini Miura), but sometimes it's more fun dating the cashier at the local diner (Lotus Elan).

He owns two Elans.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

...that cashier who looks like Emma Peel ?

I thought it was the Lotus Elaarn?


Apologies...tomato tomato potato potato

ps..loved it and Mr Leno

You've gone off topic

John

And as a bonus, of all the cars Leno owns, he decides to conduct the interview sitting between his two Elans Don't you just love it?

I've posted it before, here he is with my Elan. Ha actually chased me down on his motorcycle to have a look at it.





Technically, he didn't say it was his favorite car, just that it was the most pleasurable [to drive], I don't think he really has a favorite car in his collection

Wow! What a petrol head! Interesting guy. He sure knows his stuff, without being at all "anoracky". (I hope our US friends understand that word). What I think Mr Leno is trying to say when he says he loves his Elan(s) is "less is more" - which is also shown on another link when he takes the little Honda S600 out for a spin.

PS Why is he talking into his mobile phone all the time?

I agree with Jay which is why I still own my Elan.

I used to have a Porsche 911 RS but the Elan is so much more fun to drive

I am really missing driving the Elan during the winter, roll on spring.

What type of Elan's does Leno have? Restored, stock, Mods? I too thinks he is quite the "gear head" and a great car guy.

Rob

Last time I talked to him, one was to remain stock and the other was getting some kind of big motor build done to it, he told me some of the specifics, but I don't recall

Jay Leno has a running column in Octane magazine, and in the December '07 issue (with Jim Clark's D-type on the cover), devoted his entire column to the Elan. He has a '66 and a '69.

He says the goal for the one he's tricking-out is, "to see how light I can make this Elan," by adding a lighter alternator, magnesium bellshousings, etc. He also states, "Of course, if I skipped a few lunches it would really drop the weight of the car... but let's not get too fanatical."

Gary
'71 Sprint RHD
Miami, Florida

Hello Jay if you are out there.
I would consider adding a +2 to your collection, just to see if there is a car more fun to drive than an Elan.
A super light Elan will diminish its practical driveability, pot holes, uneven road seams, oh yeah, I forgot, Southern California.
However, the wider and longer +2 feels so much the same but with a little less weight I think it could pounce on an Elan.
Have I lost my mind? A car that could outdrive a Lotus Elan? I've got one of each and will honestly claim the +2 drives More Better Funner in many high speed situations.
Eric

Yes, it's called a Caterham



.

Mopho,

Indeed, a Caterham or other seven is the answer to that question. Having a 96 Caterham and a 66 Elan S2 I think they are both the answers. Glad to hear one of Leno's cars is an S2. Don't get me wrong, I would love to add a +2 to the gang one day. I'd have to move the Mini S out of the way though.

Rob

An Elan, Plus 2, S1 Esprit are all answers to that question depending on the day, the road and the destination. One day I will add a 7 and perhaps an Elise to have a few more answers if I need them

cheers
Rohan