The more you challenge this car the more competent it becomes. Norwich is negotiated before the rush hour gets into it's stride and all to soon the village of Hethel is reached. Two miles beyond, we are at the factory, where we meet up with Ed Power. He's bought his original Elan along so now the Plus 2s are three. The gates swing open and the three Plus 2s proceed. Lines of Exiges and Elises are broken up by the occasional VX220 and the last of the Esprits; we are at the Lotus heart, and half the workforce have poked their noses out of the assembly buildings to have a look at us. I imagine it's always like this when one of Colin Chapman's cars comes home for a visit. Were not allowed to visit the production facilities and i'm not surprised. There are plenty of secret motors hanging around and i'm a motoring journalist with a photographer in tow - nuff said. We are allowed onto the Lotus test track, however, and this gives me the opportunity to try out Ed's original Elan. And it is very original. Most Elans have either been crashed, re-chassised or all of the above. This has everything in place, but to look at and sit in, you wouldn't know it is a different beast compared to the other two cars.
The difference is the drive. The engine sounds rorty enough, with slightly softer tones than the Zetec, but throttle response is just as quick. The Lotus twink sticks out around 118bhp, but that comes high up in the rev range. I've been used to serious torque all day, but suddenly I'm in a car that needs to be spanked a bit. After almost stalling it, I start off round the Lotus track recreating a scene that would have been familiar 35 years ago. Skinny tyres mean deft handling is required. I almost lose it at the first corner; it's time to relearn how to drive a classic. A couple of circuits and I'm mastering how to keep the revs high and the car on the track - it's not as easy as the Spyder by a long way, but I love, love, love it. The fun factor is sky high for different reasons - you have to keep the fire burning in an original Elan, while the Spyder reignites itself. It slides, heal and toe is advisable and possible to stop the back end stepping out and steering wheel twitches with every bump.
I deliver Ed's car back with a huge grin on my face. The original Lotus has acquitted itself very well against the young upstarts, but i wouldn't want to do traffic in it. Which is what is about to occur because it is time to go home. I prise the Lotus competition department's engineers from under the Spyder Elan, say my goodbyes and head into the setting sun Whittlesey bound. Spyder Engineering is this Elan's home now.
THANKS TO Andy Widnall at Spyder - 01733 203986 if you fancy a test drive; Ed Power from UK Sportscars 01227 728190, where the white original Elan is for sale at £9995; Peter Cunningham for bringing along his Spyder Elan
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PRACTICAL CLASSICS AUGUST 2003
