Lotus Elite Tech Spec
Discussion
elite 503:
top speed 124mph
0-60 7.8 seconds
stg 1/4mile 16.4 secs
typical consumption, 25 mpg
kerb weight 2552 lbs
160 bhp
1975 Autocar road test
figures from Lotus since the 70's Volume 1 by Graham Robson
remember, this car was concieved in the late 60's, as a fuel efficient,true four seater, and was released around the time of a fuel crisis (Suez i think?).
When launched wedges were the in thing; ambassador,tr7,tasmin, dino308, aston martin lagonda,countach etc, It won the Don safety trophy for its side impact protection and had no true competition for the money. Sadly reliability wasn't its strong point although several magazines ran them for 12000 miles with no major maladies. A large part of its poor reputation is down to lack of maintenance/or unskilled maintenance.
I remember a roman bronze ('orrible turd brown colour) one being owned by a near neigbour in the late 70's and it blew me away, the sight of it was an absolute revelation compared to the other tin boxes of the time, it was like Captain Scarlets own car, for real! And the sound of those big delloro's sucking and thundering as it went up the hill stays with me to this day.
If I could find a reasonable S2.2 manual version, I'd have one now.
I believe that these cars are worth persevering with and in time they will be of value, if only for their eventuall rarity, sadly they will never reach the daft prices Elans and Europas fetch.
hope this helps/is of interest
Regards
Mark
top speed 124mph
0-60 7.8 seconds
stg 1/4mile 16.4 secs
typical consumption, 25 mpg
kerb weight 2552 lbs
160 bhp
1975 Autocar road test
figures from Lotus since the 70's Volume 1 by Graham Robson
remember, this car was concieved in the late 60's, as a fuel efficient,true four seater, and was released around the time of a fuel crisis (Suez i think?).
When launched wedges were the in thing; ambassador,tr7,tasmin, dino308, aston martin lagonda,countach etc, It won the Don safety trophy for its side impact protection and had no true competition for the money. Sadly reliability wasn't its strong point although several magazines ran them for 12000 miles with no major maladies. A large part of its poor reputation is down to lack of maintenance/or unskilled maintenance.
I remember a roman bronze ('orrible turd brown colour) one being owned by a near neigbour in the late 70's and it blew me away, the sight of it was an absolute revelation compared to the other tin boxes of the time, it was like Captain Scarlets own car, for real! And the sound of those big delloro's sucking and thundering as it went up the hill stays with me to this day.
If I could find a reasonable S2.2 manual version, I'd have one now.
I believe that these cars are worth persevering with and in time they will be of value, if only for their eventuall rarity, sadly they will never reach the daft prices Elans and Europas fetch.
hope this helps/is of interest
Regards
Mark
Edited by ELAN+2 on Monday 16th July 00:57
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