One car I might swap my Elan for

[abmunro]

Stratos

[Elanlover]

That was a beautiful car indeed. But I wouldn't trade the Elan for one.




I'd want them both.

[Saltire]

Not a swop.

A two-car garage, though; now you're talking

[chris.t]

you ever sat in one? being a double jointed midget would help a lot

[tigerdog]

BMW Z8, silver with red interior, but only if it came with lifetime service prepaid. BMW V8s are the antithesis of "simplify, then add lightness".
Still, IMO, the Z8 is about as gorgeous a car as has been created in the last half-century.

[Saltire]

you ever sat in one? being a double jointed midget would help a lot

At 5ft 8in, I probably resemble that remark!

Actually, the thing I found was not so much the double-jointedness, but rather the fact that when you are installed, your feet are so far inboard of your torso. You end up facing at almost 45deg to the direction of travel.

[Giniw]

your feet are so far inboard of your torso. You end up facing at almost 45deg to the direction of travel.

Really, to that extent? That must be funny and weird at the same time.
But I guess one has to accept a few oddities to drive such a legendary car, it's part of the fun

[simonbuk]

Aren't they not very good to drive as well ?!

[Saltire]

Aren't they not very good to drive as well ?!

I think that depends on how you define "good to drive". It was designed and configured as a rally car, which means it's set up to change direction extremely quickly. The low polar moment of inertia which comes from the mid-engined configuration adds to this tendency. On top of that it has limited rearward visibility, no storage space (unless you count the helmet bins in the doors), and side windows that are awkward to operate. So if you're looking for a nice peaceful drive home on a wet November night, best look elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you want a fun car for special occasions, from a historic motoring marque, it could be for you. I'd have one in a heartbeat - or pay 1/20th of the price and build myself a Hawk HF3000 with an Alfa V6.

[Rusty Wishbone]

, your feet are so far inboard of your torso. You end up facing at almost 45deg to the direction of travel.

This is a weird feeling that you also get in British Airways business class lay-flat seats. It becomes much less weird after a couple of glasses of champagne. Perhaps that is also the solution when you drive a Stratos.