there’s no replacement for displacement
Except of course in a Lotus.
I don’t know exactly how they do it, of course, but the phrase “Build ’em light and wind ’em tight” definitely applies.
Moving this around L.A.is definitely interesting, and requires your undivided attention lest you do nasty things to the flawless bodywork or the space age undercarriage.
Not as difficult to get a guy my size behind the wheel as one might imagine. Not graceful, mind you, but it can be done. Hips a bit too wide for the seats, too. Probably about 18% more shoulder room than a Lancia Stratos which is not saying much. Way more foot room than you’d expect but still possible to cover the brake and gas with one foot. Less heel-and-toe than big-and-little toe.
Great, now I have the wanties for something with wheels.
“Not as difficult to get a guy my size behind the wheel as one might imagine. Not graceful, mind you, but it can be done.”
Before I’d even scrolled down this far I was already thinking “I’d give a couple bucks to watch Og get in and out of an Elise…”
For some reason I read that whole thing in Jeremy Clarkson’s voice.
BGM
Tam: Pascal’s daughter had a video about how to get in one in a miniskirt.
Looks like a fun ride! :-)
In the mid 60’s I ran around with a cute young thing who actually owned a Lotus Elan. We normally used my ’62 Valiant Station Wagon “powered” by it’s 170 CID six, 3 on the floor and a fifth under the seat. The Valiant started every time and ran flawlessly.
Her Lotus ate four times as much money as my Valiant just sitting in the shop for 99.3% of it’s life. On the road it was even worse. There was also no room for tent, Sleeping bag and pad, camp gear, fishing tackle, and/or shooting irons. Pretty car, though.
Too bad even that great little car needs both a turbo and a supercharger to make decent power to weight.
Back when Lotus, and most every other Brit car, was powered by Lucas electronics that was standard experience. In NINE years this Elise has never be laid up.
Color me green with envy!!!