Original Elite press release from 1974

[richardw]

Club Lotus has very kindly forwarded to us an original press release document for the Lotus Elite from 1974. It was sent in by a member who was having a clear out. This valuable document comprises 5 pages (shown below), and there are subsequent sections as follows:

Technical description with sections describing Chassis, Body, Front Suspension, Rear Suspension, Engine, Gearbox, Wheels and Tyres, Steering Gear, Braking System, Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Electrical System, Instruments, Heating and Ventilation, Final Drive, Exhaust System, Miscellaneous Equipment, Hard Trim (exterior) and Soft Trim. These sections total 12 pages.

Elite Vehicle Performance Specification and General Data, comprising 4 pages

A Brief History of Lotus Production (4 pages)

I plan to scan the entire document in as a pdf and make it available to members of this Forum.
Here is the release itself:











Cheers, Richard

[AndrewWebber]

That reads like a really nice car!

[Pete Boole]

Think I'll have one!! I've never seen the "bonded aluminium" version of the radiator - very interesting. I wonder if any still exist? Great document Richard - thanks for sharing!

Pete

[richardw]

That reads like a really nice car!

Dead right Andy. So many innovations and ‘firsts’ in a car from a low volume manufacturer that only took 3 years to bring to market. Mike Kimberley commented on Facebook, ‘I remember every word of that document.’ He was intimately concerned in bringing the car to market and has demonstrated over the years his love for and commitment to the Elite.

Cheers, Richard

[richardw]

Think I'll have one!! I've never seen the "bonded aluminium" version of the radiator - very interesting. I wonder if any still exist? Great document Richard - thanks for sharing!

Pete

I’ll be scanning the document over the weekend and will email it to you Pete.

Cheers, Richard

[Pete Boole]

That would be great Richard - thanks!

Pete

[DavidOliver]

I knew our cars were/are very special with the end result of an amazing driving experience.
I have never read such a detailed description of the body concepts.
Is there a similar description of the 9XX engine design anywhere? Just as special as the rest of the car.
This body document will close any sales deal to an Elite/Excel pondering newcomer.
Please put me on the list for a scanned document.
And perhaps show this document to visitors attending Classic Car meetings. I doubt modern cars are even allowed to have these design features.

Dave the cog.