Lotus Elan: motoring for purists
The shape is a couple of stark sweeps, the monocoque construction and Lotus/Ford 1.6-litre twin-cam engine similarly pared back to necessary perfection for a car designed to be both exciting to drive and look at.
Produced between '71 and '73, the Elan Sprint is a car that could speed the average big-haired, drug-groggy starlet to 60mph in 6.7 seconds while cocking a querulous eyebrow at the waiting flashbulbs. With only 126bhp at its disposal,
it was quick, pretty and simple. Let's face it, the Elan is a car fan's car - mention
the name and you'll never be derided.