[Llarry]

In 1957, Lotus founder Colin Chapman introduced the tiny Elite sports coupe. The Elite was unique in having a fiberglass unit body, with a steel subframe for the front suspension/engine, and another for the windshield and door attachments. It was powered by a 1.2 liter SOHC engine of just 75 hp (or slightly more in later editions). The Elite stayed in production until 1963 and slightly over a thousand were built.

The Elite was very light: Just 1700 lbs. Unfortunately, experience proved that it was a bit too light and there were instances of the differential separating from the rear body, for instance. Befitting a Lotus, it was also expensive.

All that notwithstanding, it was rather pretty and handled quite well.