By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Look what just rolled out in Paris! Looks great, huh? Pros: more power (turbo 2.0-liter Toyota four banger will produce 320 hp). Cons: costs more ($55k), weighs more (2,400 pounds). Via Autoblog

Continue reading "2015 Lotus Elise" »

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

The 2-Eleven is a great handling car, but even the best out there have their limits. Pushing the lateral limit of this Lotus, the driver over corrected himself right into the wall. Like popping popcorn, bits of yellow is sent flying in all directions upon impact! Read more about the wreck at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

So how do you guys feel about this? Good, bad, indifferent? From the auction:

The rumors are true! Someone did put a modified Buick Regal GNX motor in a Lotus Esprit and here it is! If you know anything about the 1987 Buick Regal GNX, then you just begin to understand what kind of power and reliability this exotic car has.

Start with a stock 3460 lb. 1987 Buick GNX with an automatic transmission running 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and the ¼ mile in 13.5 seconds (verified at howstuffworks.com) and delete everything but the motor. Then add many performance upgrades, a 5 speed upgraded manual transmission, and put it in a 2500 lb. exotic car (documented curb weight with the GNX motor). When you mash the accelerator, you either spill out uncontrollable expletives or think of the movie “Gladiator” just after Russell Crowe commands, “UNLEASH HELL”.

This is a low-mid 11-second ¼-mile rocket only limited by your level of fear and driving skill. Also thrilling is getting waves of admiration and thumbs up from other drivers. In addition to mind-blowing power and looks, another benefit of this car and its very light weight is the fuel-injected motor exceeds an average of 24 MPG when driven with respect. For the truly insane, only $1200 in modern performance Buick parts would add another 110 HP…

This car is a one of a kind work of art that absolutely embarrasses other Turbo Esprits from the period and costs substantially less to maintain. Everything works, right down to the clock, and not one component appears aged. Masterfully redone in 1987 and every detail both cosmetic and mechanical addressed, this vehicle is in exceptional condition.

The prior (original) owner spent over $75K in upgrades, with me adding more than $9K of my own. Professionally built and tuned by Buick racing legend Ken Duttweiler, the motor is stout to say the least. I have tons of receipts, the car’s registration was just renewed, and it is smogged and ready to go.

Read more and see all the pics at eBay.

By Mike Bumbeck

Clunkbucket

Made largely of fiberglass. Engine in front with drive wheels out back. Not just one, but two flip-up fuel fill caps. Styling that hatches theories of Richard Teague getting a call from MI5 with a request to report to Norwich, UK in secret with the original plans for his 1968 AMC AMX GT concept. This is the Lotus Elite in all its 1974 splendor. Only about 2600 or so fiberglass-bodied Elites were made over the four year production run. This one belongs to one Dag Midtskog, who picked up the car in less than elite condition from a pal who had already parted the Lotus of a few spares for his own Elite. What Dag got was a transmissionless Elite missing more than a few parts. He’s spent the last five years locating a set of factory aluminum wheels, trim bits, missing glass, and a new-to-him transmission that’s currently bolted up to the original engine with only 38K miles of use. More Lotus Elite and a fiberglass tub full of photos over at Clunkbucket.

By Sam Barer

Sound Classics

I can count the number of Lamborghinis I saw driving on the road in Washington State in the 1970s and 1980s on one hand. Hell, I can count this on one finger–which represents the time in 1988 when I followed a red Countach up Clyde Hill in my 1977 Chrysler LeBaron.

But now, with Exotics At Redmond Town Center, at 8:30 AM on any given non-raining Saturday any of us can see more Lamborghinis in one day than I did in twenty years. The same goes for Ferraris, Maseratis, Lotuses, and other high end vehicles. Read on…

Continue reading "Exotics at Redmond Town Center: Bringing Cars and Families Together On Sunny Saturdays" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Man, this week’s eBay Motors Showdown was a blowout. The Triumph only got three or four votes. I’d probably take the TR6, too, but I’m a sucker for British Racing Green and love old British roadsters. But this Giugiaro-designed Lotus is definitely timeless.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Have $15K burning a hole in your pocket and want something British? Well how about these rides? This 1976 Triumph TR-6 has been redone and looks amazing in British Racing Green. This 1986 Lotus Esprit looks to be a solid, original car with a recent turbo rebuild. And these two examples represent the last year of production for the TR-6 and the pure Giugiaro-styled Esprit. So, which would you choose?

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Amidst the myriad of new (but already old) vehicles on the floor of Cobo Hall, were more than a few surprises. Two of the nicest include these vintage British Sports cars, the iconic Lotus Elan, and a very British Morgan Plus 4.

Continue reading "NAIAS: 2 Vintage British Icons; The Lotus Elan, and Morgan Plus 4" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Wow. This Exige is sporting a supercharger and a turbo charger, and it’s apparently making 500HP. Oh, and it tips the scales at a scant 2150lbs with full fuel and driver. Just wow. There are pics after the jump, but you have to watch this video. The engine note makes Beethoven sound like a toddler banging on pots and pans. via VWVortex

Continue reading "Start the Insanity: Totally Sick Widebody Exige" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Holy crap, is this the coolest Elise ever? More pics after the jump! Via Jalopnik

Continue reading "XPRMTL" »