Movie cars have never really convinced me one way or another to buy a vehicle, but for some film buffs, it’s a compelling reason to snag a particular car. In addition, if you happen to be a fan of a certain make or model that was also featured in some notable fashion in a movie, then it’s even more of a home run. Apparently, the Lotus Elan featured prominently in the movie Honey, I Blew Up the Kids which was the less popular follow-up to the smash hit, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The seller claims this is the only Elan that survived in private hands after filming wrapped up. Find it here on eBay with bids to $11,000 and the reserve unmet.
I can’t claim to recall seeing this movie (I saw the first one for sure), so this mild bit of fame in the Elan’s history was unknown to me. Regardless, it seems that a variety of Elans were stripped down and lightened so that the car could hang from the iconic Pioneer Casino sign on the strip in Las Vegas, according to the seller. It also appears in the seller’s photographic montage of the movie to show the Elan falling from the cowboy boot of the famous “Glitter Gulch” cowgirl sign, but this could just be in the background of the Pioneer Casino scene (I don’t know the Vegas strip well enough to be sure.) Regardless, the seller also possesses documentation that confirms this is the one Elan that made it into private hands post-production as a new vehicle offered for sale by a local dealership.
The Elan has always been a bit of a curiosity for me. In one sense, Lotus rarely attaches its name to a product that doesn’t embody the virtues the company is known for, namely for lithe handling and low curb weights. To the company’s credit, they rarely sell vehicles that don’t check the necessary boxes as true driver’s cars. However, the Elan never exactly achieved the level of pedigree other models were known for, and it has floundered at the bottom of the value range compared to other sports cars produced by the marque. The seller’s car appears to be in excellent condition, and he mentions having a variety of useful spares that will surely be valued by the next owner of an obscure model like this.
Now, the very reason why some Lotus enthusiasts snub their noses at the Elan is why I love it: the Isuzu-sourced engine. I have a fondness for Isuzus, as I have owned three Troopers over the years (and currently have one.) It is one of the more charming Japanese brands and the engine in my truck has been nothing but reliable. As an SE model, this Elan had the turbocharged version, which was good for 162 horsepower. Not a lot by today’s standards but certainly well-suited to the common Lotus formula of using every horsepower as efficiently as possible. However, I suspect it is this humble engine that caused the Elan to not become the home run that other models have become, but maybe this car’s big screen past will nudge the final sale price higher.
Enjoyed the write ✍️ up Lavery. Thank you. These look like fun little fwd rockets 🚀
This would be a fun car to borrow and then beat the crap out of it.
Many, many miles.
On the ebay site it says this “Chassis has 103,301 miles, engine & transmission around 28,250 miles. upgraded brakes, upgraded turbo with adjustment & a limited slip differential.” the seller notes
Between my brother and I in the 70’s we had five of the original Elans in various configurations and couple were daily drivers. A 65 S2, a 69 coupe, a 68 S4, a 69 S4 and a 72 S130 +2. To me, the +2 styling is one of the best looking cars ever. My favorite was the 65 S2. It had twin Webers, pull-up windows and an original factory hardtop and was the fastest of the lot! Yes, they were temperamental but what a blast to drive in their day! They could keep up with any Corvette in first and second gears but after that the American muscle took over. In all the cars I have owned and there were quite a few; if there was one I could have back today, it would be the 65 S2. I bought it in 75 for $1100, painted it, drove it for a year and sold it for $3500! That was a big profit back then! Times have changed!! I would like to drive one of these ‘newer’ Elans. I bet they cornered just like the old ones!!
The Elan M100 was the best-handling FWD car of its time, and arguably still to this day one of the best ever.
With some clever engineering, Lotus was able to isolate suspension and powertrain movement from the steering geometry and chassis, effectively eliminating torque steer, driveline shunt, and steering kickback without compromising ride quality.
Having owned Corvettes, my guess is any lead a Corvette may have had over the Elans disappeared at the first set of curves.
same with a Europa with the Big Valve Twin Cam, it even could give a Corvette a run for its money
Heck, my dad’s ’71 Fiat 124 Sport coupe gave his buddy’s C3 Corvette a run for its money on an informal race from the golf course to the mall one fine afternoon. The ‘vette took the lead in the straights of course, but Dad caught up at every corner, and once they got into the mall’s circuitous parking lots it was pretty much neck-and-neck.