Lotus Elan: Type 26R

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#339933" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Lotus Elan:  Type 26R</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=175 BGCOLOR="#336600" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Factory</B></div> <div> <B>Racing Elan</B></div> <div> <B>1964-1966</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lotus Elan"><U><B>Elan Main Page</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id139.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lotus Elan: Types 26, 36, 45"><U><B>Elan History</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lotus Elan: Types 26, 36, 45"><U><B>Elan Images</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id149.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lotus Elan: Historic Images"><U><B>Historical Images</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Lotus 26R - The Factory Race Car</B></div> <bR> <div> The Elan 26R was the Lotus factory race car, of which 45 Series 1 and 52 Series 2 units were produced. Many standard road Elans were also modified for racing with similar specificationss to the works 26R and, although often called 26R's, these project cars were obviously not the real commodity.</div> <bR> <div> Lotus produced the 26R with lightweight, single skin bodywork to accept wider magnesium wheels. In most examples the pop-up headlights were replaced with the cowled lamp arrangement. A triangulated roll bar was fitted; not an easy task with the backbone, central chassis. Competition suspension wishbones, sliding spline drive shafts, and a thicker front/rear anti-roll bar were installed. The chassis was strengthened at the front and rear suspension pick-up points. Dual circuit brakes, light alloy calipers with racing pads and a revised pedal layout were incorporated. </div> <bR> <div> The engine was prepared by Cosworth or BRM to deliver 135-165 hp. An aluminum cross-flow water radiator and an oil cooler were added. The gearbox and limited slip differential were cased in magnesium.  </div> <bR> <div> In 1966 John Miles, driving the Team Willment 26R, won the Autosport Championship in England.  </div> <div> In the U.S. the 26R was campaigned in SCCA events, winning National Championships in 1964, 1982, 1983, 1984. Elans, both modified-for-racing road cars and true 26Rs are very hard to beat, usually competing with larger engined cars.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="795" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 473 WIDTH="271"><div> <B>The classic story of the prowess of the racing Elan dates back to 1966 - Easter Sunday at Brands Hatch. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The 26R Elan of John Miles was leading pursued by a V-8 Sunbeam Tiger driven by Bernard Unett. The bonnet of the Elan had come loose and was flapping in the wind. Miles pitted and the bonnet was taken off the car. Miles re-entered the race some distance behind the Tiger. On the last lap Miles overtook Unett to win as shown in the photo at the right. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>As it was against the rules to race without a bonnet, Unett was asked by the press if he wasn't going to protest. He answered that no he would not as he and everybody there were in such awe of the incredible drive of Miles and the 26R. A true British sportsman! </B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="33102d30.jpg" border=0 width="514" height="467" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>