As part of the Elan Registry work, I wanted include a brief spotters guide to help identify a car. To try and keep it short I limited myself to a couple bullet points per type. I’m sure there will be feedback and I’m ready for it.
Identification Guide
This is not a comprehensive list of differences between the cars rather a quick guide to identifying a car. Like all manufactureres, there were running changes throughout the life of the Elan. In the case of Lotus, many of these changes were poorly documented. If in doubt, post question to the LotusElan.net forum and ask.
Roadster / Drophead
Elan 1500 ( Type 26 Elan 1500 Roadster )
1500 badge on boot
All were recalled from the factory and updated to Elan 1600 specification
Elan 1600 ( Type 26 S1 Roadster )
1600 badge on boot[/list]
Round tail lights
Roadster S2 ( Type 26 S2 Roadster )
No rollup windows
Oval tail lights
Drophead S3 ( Type 45 S3 DHC )
Electric rollup windows with fixed frames
Oval tail lights
Drophead S3 S/E ( Type 45 S3 S/E DHC )
Electric rollup windows with fixed frames
Oval tail lights
S/E badged
Drophead S4 ( Type 45 S4 DHC )
Square tail lights
Drophead S4 S/E ( Type 45 S4 S/E DHC )
Square tail lights
S/E badged
Drophead Sprint ( Type 45 Sprint DHC )
Complete Details - Link to lotuselansprint.com/index.asp
Square tail lights
Badged as Sprint
Unique Two tone paint. Could be deleted as an option
Coupe
Coupe S3 Pre-Airflow ( Type 36 FHC-preairflow )
Oval tail lights
No extractor grill on the rear quarter panel
Coupe S3 Airflow ( Type 36 S3 FHC )
Oval tail lights
Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel
Coupe S3 S/E Airflow ( Type 36 S3 S/E FHC )
Oval tail lights
Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel
S/E badged
Coupe S4 ( Type 36 S4 FHC )
Square tail lights
Coupe S4 S/E ( Type 36 S4 S/E FHC )
Square tail lights
S/E badged
Coupe Sprint ( Type 36 Sprint FHC )
Complete Details - Link to lotuselansprint.com/index.asp
Square tail lights
Badged as Sprint
Unique Two tone paint. Could be deleted as an option
Racing Version
26R ( Type 26 26R Race )
Fixed headlights