Introduced in 1962, the Lotus Elan was an innovative sports car with unconventional construction. A fiberglass body over a steel backbone frame, it used a Ford Cortina engine converted to dual-overhead-cam configuration. Four-wheel disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension were other forward-looking features. With an ultra-light curb weight of barely 1,500 pounds, it was competitive with Corvettes in sports car racing. The American public became familiarized with the car when viewing the popular television show, ‘The Avengers.’ Emma Peel (played by Diana Rigg), regularly drove her Elan while assisting John Steed (Patrick Macnee) in their espionage clashes against evil. Mrs. Peel was intelligent, assertive and immensely stylish; the sporty Lotus Elan was a perfect match to showcase her independence and vitality.

This particular 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint drophead is reported to be correct in specifications for one of the approximately 150 Elan Sprints imported to the United States. The Elan was sold new and always remained in Southern California, documented by extensive records going back to its 1,000 mile service at Hollywood Sports Cars. This is a remarkably original car, still wearing its original Colorado Orange paint though the white portion has been repainted. The Lotus retains it's original black interior as well. The Lotus is reported to have never been damaged or torn apart, and due to its SoCal life and good stewardship, has never had rust. Powered by a 1,577-cc inline DOHC big valve four-cylinder engine that is paired to a four-speed manual transmission; the Elan has always been maintained as needed, with the engine rebuilt at 90,000 miles, and within the last 500 miles, has benefitted from a new Stayfast by Haartz convertible top and boot, a new (and correct) wood dash of similar high quality, full professional carburetor rebuild, new stainless steel exhaust, a complete suspension rebuild including new upgraded Rotoflex couplings, four new Spax adjustable shock absorbers, as well as bushings, tie rod ends, plus numerous other components. The car is accompanied by the original books, tools, jack kit and spare.

It’s easy to forget how remarkable the Elan was in its day, a genre that has since been thoroughly civilized by the Mazda Miata. This is a beautiful, strikingly original and rare U.S. Sprint that, with its extensive recent service, is extremely usable and drives great in keeping with its reputation as one of the best handling production cars of all time.