The Elite began design trends still visible today and the car has been listed in every passing decades' list of motordom's most significant automobiles. That the car came together as a result of the work of a committee whose chief stylist, was an accountant, is almost beyond belief. The fact that one of Colin Chapman's design criteria was that the Elite be a road car capable of a class win at the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race was remarkable. The fact there followed six consecutive class wins and several index of performance victories in the race, was incredible.
This book contains the reminisces of virtually everyone involved in the design and early production of the Elite. Many of the personalities associated with the car throughout its production life, including racers and Elite dealers in both the UK and America were interviewed. Although several have since passed away, their recollections are here to read and enjoy.
"Lotus Elite, Racing Car for the Road" is not meant to be a "nuts and bolts" treatment of the car but rather an explanation of what is so fascinating about this automobile above all others. If the story of the Lotus Elite was told as a novel, readers would believe it to be pure fantasy. Hopefully, this book will convince otherwise.
