October 27, 2019
Every once in a while you come across a car which just makes you go “Wow!” This 1960 Lotus Elite was one of them. Seen at the 2015 Hemmings Sports & European Car Show in Saratoga Springs, the first generation Elite is probably one of the rarer cars on the planet. Different sources give the total number built (from 1957-63), at either 988, 1,030, or 1,047. It’s funny, in an age where Detroit engines just kept getting bigger and bigger, the Elite was powered by a 1.2L straight four, which produced 105 hp. Of course, the car weighed only 1,110 lbs., so it didn’t take much to move it. And move it quickly, it did, with one source listing a top speed of 113.2 mph, a standing quarter mile time of 18.4 seconds, and a zero-to-60 time of 11.4 seconds. All of this while being able to consume a stingy 54 mpg as it maintained a steady 40 mph, and 29.5 mpg at a steady 100 mph!
Jim Corbran, RRofWNY
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