1964 Lotus Elan 26R
1964 Lotus Elan 26R
Brand
Lotus
Year
1964
Country
Great Britain
Generation
Elan
1964 Lotus Elan 26R
Brand
Lotus
Year
1964
Country
Great Britain
Generation
Elan
About this car
Discover the history
The 1964 Lotus Elan 26R is an iconic racing variant of the popular Lotus Elan, designed specifically for competition use. It emerged in response to the enthusiastic embrace of the standard Elan by privateers and amateur racers, despite the fact that the road version was not originally designed for racing. Lotus eventually realized the car’s potential and created the 26R, a lighter, more powerful, and track-focused version of the Elan.
The 26R was developed with several modifications to optimize its performance on the track. Key updates included the use of lightweight fiberglass body panels and a revised suspension setup featuring rose-jointed wishbones and stiffer anti-roll bars, designed to improve handling and rigidity. The road car’s steel wheels were replaced with lighter, center-lock magnesium items to enhance strength and reduce weight. The suspension was further refined with sliding spline driveshafts, and reinforcement was added to critical points around the chassis to handle the increased stresses of racing. The weight savings were significant, bringing the car’s curb weight to around 600 kg, which greatly boosted acceleration and cornering abilities.
Under the hood, the 26R was powered by a 1.6-liter Cosworth-tuned inline-four engine, capable of producing between 140 and 160 horsepower, depending on the variant. This engine was highly tuned for its time, using dual Weber carburetors to enhance airflow and power delivery. The transmission was a Ford four-speed manual gearbox, which provided excellent reliability and performance on the track. The braking system was upgraded as well, with dual-circuit brakes featuring lightweight alloy calipers, ensuring better stopping power and reliability during high-speed competition.
The Lotus Elan 26R was highly successful in motorsport, particularly in the hands of privateer teams, with notable outfits like Ian Walker Racing (IWR) and Graham Warner’s Chequered Flag team playing critical roles in its development and racing success. IWR modified their cars to improve aerodynamics and cooling, while Warner’s team focused on engine tuning and suspension refinements. These privateers were often responsible for some of the most successful Elan 26Rs in competition, with Jim Clark driving one to victory in a support race for the 1964 British Grand Prix. This success on track helped to solidify the car’s reputation as a formidable competitor in the under-1.6-liter class, regularly defeating rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ.
The 26R’s racing pedigree includes victories at national and international levels, including wins in European sports car races and British championships. Drivers such as John Miles, Sir John Whitmore, and Jackie Stewart all piloted the car with considerable success. Its combination of lightweight construction, agile handling, and respectable power output made it a favorite among privateer racers, helping it dominate its class in the mid-1960s. Even though it was developed on a shoestring budget, the 26R proved to be one of the most effective small sports cars of its era.
Though only around 100 examples were built between 1964 and 1966, the Lotus Elan 26R left a lasting legacy in motorsport. Its balance of speed, handling, and agility has made it a beloved classic, not only as a race car but also among collectors and enthusiasts. Today, it remains a testament to Lotus’s engineering prowess, particularly in maximizing performance from a lightweight, agile chassis. The 26R is still a sought-after machine in historic racing events, where its competitive nature continues to shine decades after its heyday.
