Lotus Élan S. 4
Discussion
Cant find my Elan Sales Brochure, so Any one know what the Standard and SE spec was ? Ie Strombergs or Webbers ?
Why no SU Carb Option ? Emissions regs maybe ?
Were they Badged as an SE ?
Production numbers , dates ( 68-71 ? ) and Colours ?
I have only ever seen 1 S4 car with Bolt on wheels and hubcaps which looked great , most buyers seemed to have gone for Knock Ons.
Nearly bought a Yellow drophead one years ago, wishing I had !!
Why no SU Carb Option ? Emissions regs maybe ?
Were they Badged as an SE ?
Production numbers , dates ( 68-71 ? ) and Colours ?
I have only ever seen 1 S4 car with Bolt on wheels and hubcaps which looked great , most buyers seemed to have gone for Knock Ons.
Nearly bought a Yellow drophead one years ago, wishing I had !!
The very first S4 Elans had Weber 40DCOEs, and then for a year or so from November 1968 they had Stromberg 1705CDs: hence the bonnet bulge to clear the dashpots. The cylinder head ports are different from those on cars with Weber carburettors. The factory reverted to Webers in 1969, but Stromberg heads were made up to 1970.
S/E cars initially had optional wider tyres, and they had a tubular manifold instead of a cast iron one.
S/E cars initially had optional wider tyres, and they had a tubular manifold instead of a cast iron one.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 25th March 18:30
Depending on which brochure you read or who you speak to, the power output is quoted as 105 or 110 bhp for a standard engine and 115 or 118 bhp for a SE engine.
I think the confusion comes about because I believe the the way figures were obtained was changed to conform to some sort of standard at the time.
I think the confusion comes about because I believe the the way figures were obtained was changed to conform to some sort of standard at the time.
Why did Lotus fit Strombergs instead of SUs ? As Strombergs have a terrible reputation. But obviously they are more economical than Webbers.
Did Lotus release the production numbers for S4 cars and build nos for the Coupe and Drophead ?
You Tube " Hello - Goodbye " which was made ? Released in 1970 . It stars Michael Crawford and the Very Beautifull French Fashion Model Vivienne Gilles , in her First Acting role .
There is Some really great footage in Part 10 of a New RHDrive But French Registered ? White Élan S4 Drophead .
Did Lotus release the production numbers for S4 cars and build nos for the Coupe and Drophead ?
You Tube " Hello - Goodbye " which was made ? Released in 1970 . It stars Michael Crawford and the Very Beautifull French Fashion Model Vivienne Gilles , in her First Acting role .
There is Some really great footage in Part 10 of a New RHDrive But French Registered ? White Élan S4 Drophead .
On the other Elan-ish thread currently running, this helpful info appears:-
Paul S4 said:
I may take this opportunity to 'defend' the poor Stromberg Elans....!
The story goes that Mr Chapman recognised that Strombergs were cheaper/and could meet emissions (?) so he commissioned the 'siamese' cylinder head to fit the CD175s. When they were installed in the Elan S4, customers preferred the more appropriate racing look of the Webers, and so Lotus reverted back to them ( later Dellortos), after only about 9 months !
The Stromberg cars had the 'bulge' on the bonnet to clear the dashpots; but some Weber customers actually preferred this bonnet...!
It was also said that the Hethel test drivers liked the Stromberg cars because of their smoother power delivery without the famous Weber 'flat spot'.
What is also sometimes forgotten is that the Stromberg cars had the 'D' cams, which are more powerful than the standard 'Weber' cams.
Anyway...my Elan has always had Strombergs, and since the head was refurbished last year ( and converted to unleaded), it must be as quick as a Weber car now !
Speaking for myself, I am Dellorto loyalist these days. I used to enjoy fiddling with the Strombergs on my old Triumph Vitesse back in the early 90s. My dad took pride in his ability to balance them. The story goes that Mr Chapman recognised that Strombergs were cheaper/and could meet emissions (?) so he commissioned the 'siamese' cylinder head to fit the CD175s. When they were installed in the Elan S4, customers preferred the more appropriate racing look of the Webers, and so Lotus reverted back to them ( later Dellortos), after only about 9 months !
The Stromberg cars had the 'bulge' on the bonnet to clear the dashpots; but some Weber customers actually preferred this bonnet...!
It was also said that the Hethel test drivers liked the Stromberg cars because of their smoother power delivery without the famous Weber 'flat spot'.
What is also sometimes forgotten is that the Stromberg cars had the 'D' cams, which are more powerful than the standard 'Weber' cams.
Anyway...my Elan has always had Strombergs, and since the head was refurbished last year ( and converted to unleaded), it must be as quick as a Weber car now !
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