George,
Your question about the Elan vs ABS brakes brings up the heart of the originality vs upgrade debate. As you restore your Elan, you will be faced (again and again) with issues of “use what the factory employed” or “go with a modern replacement.” There are valid arguments on both sides.
In my opinion, ABS brakes are one of the best inovations in automotive history. ABS ranks right up there with the (slow) evolution of computerized engine management for the Golden Steering Wheel award. In the hands of 99% of all drivers, in at least 95% of all situations, a car with ABS brakes will stop faster than a car without them. ABS works extremely well these days. Only good racing drivers can better its performance - under some circumstances - and then only marginally better stops. ABS works.
Asking whether you want something equivalent to ABS brakes on you Elan (or your Elise for that matter) is an entirely different issue. New tech vs Old tech. I’m not talking about brakes, but about every aspect of design.
The Elan was, and still is, a brilliant design. It works extremely well the way it left the factory. Restoring an Elan to original specs is no crime. Many consider it their duty to restore to original specs. I won’t argue with that crowd, although it is not my position.
Technology has marched along. It is possible to “improve” the original Elan with many types of modern replacement systems. Spyder chassis vs Lotus-style folded sheet metal. CV joints vs Rotoflex couplings. The list goes on and on.
The original design is excellent. The question is: Should you change it with modern improvements? I believe this is a personal choice. You will be faced with this choice repeatedly. Also, there is the issue of the added cost of the “updated improvements?” Some on the new stuff tends to be pricey.
Me? I’m upgrading every thing I can; I am not tied to originality. I might feel differently if I was restoring an Elite; very few of them around. Spyder makes an extremely nice replacement chassis; I highly recommend it. The Tony Thompson version of the original chassis is pretty good, from what I’ve read. Etc.
Bottom line: Its your choice. Its your car. Be wary of fanatics on either side. Make your own choices. Choose what is best for YOUR restoration.
re: ABS vs Elan. The braking of the Elan is very good. You should not worry about someone in front of you (with ABS) stopping faster than you can. Being able to sense incipient lock-up is what ABS does. In the Elan, you can easily feel each wheel as it locks, and you (if you are a decent driver) can adjust brake pedal pressure. The Elan has low-tech, driver-involved ABS. Original isn’t bad. Sure is a lot more fun to be involved in the driving.
Rich Boyd
ps. Geoff noted: “The original front suspension towers tend to get very rusty, as they are shaped to catch and hold water.” This is actually a feature. If your enging leaks a lot of oil (as it was designed to do?), the suspension towers will “catch and hold” the oil, thus preventing rust. Clever design?