1991 Lotus Elan

Gateway Classic Cars of Houston is excited to offer this white 1991 Lotus Elan for sale. The 1989-92 model was the first and only front-wheel-drive Lotus ever made. Despite professional reviewers' praise for the car's handling, balanced transitions, and lack of torque steer at its introduction, chat rooms were filled with complaints that the M100 is front-wheel drive. Of course, most of these purists likely have never driven one. If they had, they would know that it is regarded as one of, if not THE best-handling, FWD cars in history. Only 3,855 were built for worldwide consumption before initial production ended in 1992, and fewer than 600 of those were sold in the U.S.

Now is your chance to own one of those 600 U.S. cars. Powered by a turbocharged 1.5L (roughly 95 cubic inch) dual overhead cam 4-cylinder engine that's putting out 162 HP (almost 2 HP/cubic inch), with a proper "driver mod" notching the shifts on its 5-speed manual, you'll see 60 MPH in about 6 seconds (6.5 to be exact). Its lightweight fiberglass body sits atop one of Lotus' hallmark steel backbone chassis. And, with its unequal-length wishbones and coil springs and a swaybar up front, and centrally mounted upper and lower wishbone with coil-over shocks out back, driving this thing through the twisties feels as neck-snapping as though you're in a magnetically adhered slot car on a slot car track. Its 205/45ZR16 BF Goodrich Radial TA KDW tires provide the grip, and 4-wheel disc brakes help you stop on a dime. Inside, you'll see that the charcoal leather buckets are in very good condition, as well as the carpet. Switchgear is properly placed to minimize hand travel from the steering wheel, and gauge placement minimizes eye travel from the road. A nice update to the standard audio system includes a JVC AM/FM/Cassette head unit, and a JVC 6-disc changer behind the passenger seat.

Features and options on this 1991 Lotus Elan include cold Air Conditioning, Aluminum Alloy Wheels, the aforementioned AM/FM/Cassette Radio, 6-disc CD Changer, Driver Airbag, Heated Power Side Mirrors, Leather Seating with Lumbar support, Manual Convertible Top, Power Locks, Power Windows, Radial Tires, and Seat Belts. For more information on this 1991 Lotus Elan for sale, to see all the HD pictures and videos of it, copy the URL below, and see it at this direct link: www.gatewayclassiccars.com/show/HOU/1589 . Alternatively, if you want to see it in person, come to our Houston Showroom, located at 1910 Cypress Station Dr, Bldg 200, Houston, TX 77090. You may also call the showroom at (832) 243-6220 or email us at Houston@gatewayclassiccars.com.