An Elite-type glassfibre monocoque having proved insufficiently rigid when applied to an open car, Lotus boss Colin Chapman came up with a simple but effective steel backbone frame for the company's new Elan sports car. Launched in October 1962, the Elan was available as a complete car or a kit at reduced price. Suspension was independent all round with unequal-length wishbones at the front while a wide-based lower wishbone and modified Chapman Strut, ¬ as used in Lotus Grand Prix cars, ¬was employed at the rear. Triumph Vitesse rack-and-pinion steering was used and there were Girling disc brakes all round. The Elan's engine was a highly modified 1,498cc (later 1,558cc) Ford Cortina unit incorporating Lotus's own twin-camshaft cylinder head, and both the gearbox and differential came also from Ford. Introduced in November 1964, the Series 2 featured numerous detail styling changes and improved brakes.
As one would expect, given its background and specification, the Elan proved to be a highly capable circuit racer. Capitalising on the numerous successes achieved by privately entered cars, Lotus introduced their own version - the '26R' - in 1964. A stiffened chassis, up-rated suspension, wider wheels, lightweight coachwork and a BRM-built engine were among the many features distinguishing the 26R from its road-going counterparts. Some of the top Grand Prix drivers of the day were associated with Elan 26R including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Stirling Moss and Jackie Oliver. In UK club racing its foremost exponent was John Miles, who won every race at the Goodwood Easter meeting in 1966 driving a Willment entered example. The factory's record keeping was less than perfect and so it cannot be known for certain how many 26Rs were produced, the official figures being 52 first-series cars and 45 of the Series 2. Approximately 30 genuine examples are known to survive.
We are advised that this restored Lotus Elan '26R re-creation' weighs around 600kgs and comes with a dynamometer printout showing that the engine produces 164bhp. With such a good power-to-weight ratio it is not surprising to learn that its performs very well, the present owner achieving pole position at the 2011 'Remparts d'Angoulême' and finishing on the podium at the 'Le Mans Story' meeting that same year. Described as in good condition and 'ready to win', this potentially most competitive Elan 26R is offered with sundry restoration invoices, valuation report and French Carte Grise. An alternative (lower) final drive ratio comes with the car.

Au vu des résultants en compétition des concurrents privés, Lotus introduisit sa version de l'Elan série 2 , la 26R, dotée d'un châssis plus rigide, de roues plus larges et d'un moteur construit par BRM. Cette voiture – une fidèle re-création – pesant 600 kg est munie d'un moteur qui a donné au banc 164 cv (documenté). Pilotée par son propriétaire actuel, ses performances aux « Remparts d'Angoulême » et à « Le Mans Story » sont donc très explicables. Nous sommes informé qu'elle est très bon état et prête à courir, cette Elan est accompagnée de ses factures de travaux, d'un rapport d'expertise et de sa carte grise française ainsi que d'un couple de pont (plus court) supplémentaire.