Sports car maker Lotus yesterday announced it will launch a special edition Elise SC to honor the great and late Formula 1 legend, Jim Clark, who captured 25 Formula 1 wins in his career and two World Championships for Lotus. The limited-edition car will feature livery similar to Clark’s 1963 World Championship-winning Lotus Type 25.
Differences between the Clark Type 25 Elise SC and regular supercharged Elises comprise mainly of a body covered in British Racing Green with a central yellow stripe. The Lotus Sport wheels will be covered in black and silver paint likewise reminiscent of the original race car. A removable hardtop is included with the car, and interior changes include red-trimmed leather seats along with a wooden shift knob.
Lotus will donate a portion of the Clark Type 25 SC’s purchase price to the Jim Clark memorial fund. Performance of the car remains the same as the 220hp standard car, with Lotus claiming a 4.3-second 0-60mph time and a top speed of 148mph.
The car will be part of the Scottish Classic Speed Fair at Knockhill on June 8, commemorating the 40-year anniversary of Jim Clark’s death at Germany’s Hockenheim in 1968. Only 25 examples will be built and sold in the U.K. and Ireland, each priced at £35,995 (about $70,000).
06/05, 2:15 PM
posted by:
Dodge_fanatic9
ugly as hell but id still take it
06/05, 2:50 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Not bad, but could be better.
06/05, 2:55 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Bring it on, Lotus rocks.
06/05, 2:58 PM
posted by:
FanaticRealist
Clark was a driving god, whose record would – had he not died in an inconsequential F2 race – made Schumacher and Senna look like amateurs. This is especially true, given that he was -towards the end of his career and life – driving a car where the engine technology was way ahead of the chassis and also given the fact that he lived in an era where the physical demands of driving the car was – in certain respects – far more demanding.
Along with the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster (a tragedy for Manchester Utd. fans like myself), the fortieth anniversary of losing a truly masterful driver is yet another sporting anniversary I’d rather not have to face.
One thing is for sure: if Clark were alive today, he’d still be able to take the Elise and wring its neck on a track.
06/05, 3:14 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
I kinda like it actually. But not liking that 70k price…
06/05, 3:20 PM
posted by:
shaver
Maybe its time for Lotus to get more involved in racing again.
06/05, 3:21 PM
posted by:
shaver
S2000 Spec Rally car would be a good start.
06/05, 3:30 PM
posted by:
xyunya
The price is high, but if you consider that performance of this puppy is about the same as 911, well maybe it is not all that high. Of course, if you paint it yourself green for a grand and and start with identical Lotus for 50K, you are 19K ahead.
06/05, 4:04 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
^I’m liking that idea xyunya.
06/05, 4:07 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I saw an Elise on the road a few weeks back. Fortunately the window on my van was open and I heard it zip up the rev band as it went by. Sounded great. I want one.
06/05, 4:31 PM
posted by:
golf4me
Green with a yellow stripe, and red seats? Wow, and not in a good way, and you pay extra for that? Cool car though, but make mine with black seats, please.
06/05, 4:55 PM
posted by:
Ryegor
I never saw such a horrible combination of colors: green, yellow, black, silver, with red interior.
Wonderful cars, just can’t get used to the design.
06/05, 9:21 PM
posted by:
autonut
johnny, salivate. I don’t have Elise, but the engine in Vibe GTO and Matric XRS are the same as in Elise as well as tranny. Last night I dropped in K&N filter in and feels like Elise (well it is a bit of dramatization); and I don’t have to be an acrobat to get in. If I could clime into Elise on regular basis, without busting old balls, I would get one without roof and charger (.8 second to 60 will not alter my life)
06/05, 9:50 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
autonut: they really do need to make a seat with space to accommodate old balls. It would give a whole new meaning to ‘bucket’ seats.
06/06, 8:14 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
I thought it was being named for Jeremy Clark because both are ugly, rude, and obtuse.
06/06, 4:48 PM
posted by:
FanaticRealist
By the way, if any of you are…
• Arthritic
• Over 5′ 8″
• Over around 200 lbs
• Particularly sensitive about your personal dignity
then you should immediately forget this car as you may not be able to either enter or exit the damn thing.
06/06, 4:51 PM
posted by:
FanaticRealist
I thought it was being named for Jeremy Clark because both are ugly, rude, and obtuse.
–
You see, this is where reading comes in handy.
Jim Clark isn’t the same as Jeremy Clarkson, just as Obama isn’t the same as Osama.
Jim Clark was a quiet, soft-spoken gem of a bloke.