1970 Lotus Elan 26R FIA Race Car

HTP

After the Lotus Elan (known internally as model code ’26’) was successfully introduced in 1962 as a lightweight and technologically advanced sports car, the factory decided to build a racing version for privateer teams of the day to race and promote the Lotus brand in national sports car race meetings.

And so the 26R arrived, and was raced to great effect by privateer teams such as Walker Racing and Chequered Flag. They were driven by top drivers of the day such as Jim Clark, Jackie Oliver, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir John Whitmore. The 26R featured a myriad of racing upgrades including a light weight alloy bell housing, gearbox tail shaft and LSD as well as engine enhancements, suspension enhancements, different magnesium centre lock wheels, and larger tyres with unique wheel arches built into the bodyshell. The modifications were very comprehensive, too lengthy to list fully here and resulted in one of the most highly homologated and quickest historic race cars on the grid.

Only 97 genuine cars left the Lotus factory, making them extremely rare and highly valuable. Today, with historic motorsport becoming ever more competitive,  a lot of owners don’t want to risk an original on the track.

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This Lotus Elan 26R is a contemporary example, built to current period specification utilising the highest quality modern components and technology to make it a potent racer in the modern historic arena.

Built between 2011 and 2013, this Elan has been maintained and developed regardless of cost ever since, predominately used in hill climbing.  It has seen minimal running hours compared to that of a circuit car.

Built by 26R guru Tony Thompson Racing, it utilises all of his knowledge and developments. The Elan compromises of a lightweight 26R bodyshell and 26R chassis fitted with a 176bhp dry sump engine mated to a 2.5 dog ‘box with magnesium bell housing and centre case, alloy nosed magnesium differential unit. Likewise, the running gear is built to a similar high specification to ensure all that power gets transferred to the tarmac.

In December 2022 the car was prepared for fresh FIA papers which have been granted to ensure it is ready to go for the 2023 season. A highly eligible and competitive car in all forms of motorsport be it Circuit, Hill Climb and Road events such as the Tour Auto, it’s easy to see why the 26Rs are hot property in historic motor racing.