1967 Lotus Elan Sprint S3 Coupe

The late 1960s marked a turning point for Colin Chapman and his Lotus Company; the car racing manufacturing business had grown dramatically since he raced his Lotus Mk II for the first time in Silverstone in 1950.

Typically light and simple, the Lotus 49 of 1967, with its new Cosworth Ford DFV unit, was campaigned with great success by F1 icons Jim Clark and Graham Hill. But it was outshined by the triumphant wedge-shaped Lotus 72 of 1970, which, in the stylish black and gold John Player Special livery, took the young Emerson Fittipaldi to his first F1 World Championship in 1972.

From the tiny, poised Coventry Climax-powered Elite of 1957, Lotus road-going cars were efficient and fast, offered exceptional handling and cornering power but did not compromise on comfort and ride. The Elan Sprint coupe was one of the most desirable fast cars of its time, and time has in no way diminished its appeal. Powered by a rugged Ford-based twin-cam...