Modern Classic: '73 Lotus Elan

Editor's Note: Ken Gross is a well-known and respected automotive journalist whose expertise extends from new cars to vintage hot rods. He may be best known for his knowledge of classic cars. We asked Ken to select 10 "affordable" classics and tell us a little about them and why we should consider owning one. This month's selection is the 1973 Lotus Elan.


Britain's cheeky, Grand Prix-winning engineering genius, the late Colin Chapman, knew more about lightweight sports cars than anyone in the past century except perhaps Ettore Bugatti. After a series of interesting—but not too practical starts—Chapman's brilliance finally produced the Elan. It boasts a featherweight fiberglass body, backbone chassis, independent suspension and reliable and revvy "Big Valve" twincam Ford four in a stylish roadster body that inspired the Mazda Miata.


Purists love the earlier and more exotic Lotus Elite coupes, but their Coventry-Climax SOHC motors can be dodgy and the Elite's rear suspension tends to come unglued from the fiberglass monocoque over time. Drive a well set-up Elan two-seater on twisty roads, experience its precise handling and sharp brakes and you'll understand the genesis of the Miata and know why Chapman's F1 cars were so good.


You can buy a decent Elan S3 roadster for just $12,000-$14,000. Even after the obligatory few thousand to sort it out, you're way ahead of the game and the envy of Miata owners. Hardtops are rare, but prized if you can find one. Weber carbs are often retrofitted for that last ounce of oomph. Plan on spending $17,000-$19,000 for a really top example. Coupes are a few grand less. They're British, pardon me, so watch for creeping rust in suspension pieces—actually wherever there's metal—poor fiberglass refinishing after a prang, and be sure any retrofitted parts are correct. If you must have an original Elite, made from 1958-1962, try to find a left-hand-drive example and figure on $30,000+ for a well-sorted car. Don't say we didn't warn you!