This One Doesn't Snarl

Road & Track May - 1964

To the buff who's become accustomed to the fierce sounds and exotic forms of the current hairy breeds, the Lotus Elan may come on with a bit of a jolt. There are no ear-tweaking screams or Jungle like roars, even when turning full crank. The Elan moves quickly, but without fanfare. The body form is also a modest understatement, totally lacking in toothy overhangs and embossed lumps. The design is functional, and handsomely finished, but by no means overpowering. If you're just looking for something to park in front of the apartment-forget it. On the other hand, if you're the kind who seeks those inner qualities that come with quiet types, you will find the Elan an attractive packet of enduring pleasures.
Powered by the same Lotus Ford twin overhead cam engine used in the Lotus 23B race machine, the Elan is a very honest performer. Acceleration is 0 to 60 in eight flat, without surgery, or stimulants, arid it will hit 100 in just a shade over twenty seconds. In the area of cornering, tracking, braking and handling, the Elan is unmistakably a Lotus. No production machine, regardless of price, can match the sure-footed road holding of the all-Chapman suspension. Elan brakes are even bigger and better due to Lotus mods on the basic Girling discs this machine is anything but a sloppy stopper. The Elan is a car for the enthusiast; it storms, it sticks and it stops, and it should not be wasted on motorized pedestrians.

$3,922 WEST COAST P.O.E.

Exclusive distributors for Lotus Cars throughout the Western United States

ECURIE SHIRLEE
DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION
2409 Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, California

SHOWROOMS AND SERVICE FACILITIES

BOB CHALLMAN-ECURIE SHIRLEE
2301 Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach

BRINEY-GRAY IMPORTS, INC.
3515 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach

BOB COLE MOTOR IMPORTS, LTD.
444 El Camino Real, San Bruno

ROD CARVETH ENTERPRISES, INC.
770 El Camino Real, San Carlos

FOREIGN MOTOR SALES
310 Blackstone Ave., Fresno

PHIPPS MOTORS
233 W. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara

WESTLAND MOTORS, INC.
20021 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills

ESCONDIDO IMPORTS
183 E. Washington, Escondido (San Diego Area)

VON HOUSENS MOTORS
1729 Fulton Ave., Sacramento

IDAHO
THOMPSON MOTOR COMPANY
1112 Bannock St., Boise

Preprinted from Road & Track May - 1964 with permission